Acceptance model forFree Open Source Software in (Flemish) schools

Prof. dr. Frederik QuestierSébastien Froeliger

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

28th of August 2012

This presentation can be found athttp://questier.com

http://www.slideshare.net/Frederik_Questier

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Our social responsibility:how open is the future?

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"The most fundamental way of helping other

people,is to teach people

how to do things betteror how to better their

lives.

For peoplewho use computers,this means sharing

the recipesyou use on your

computer,in other words

the programs you run."

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1980's: Stallman defined“Free Software”

➢The freedom to

➢ use

➢ study

➢ distribute

➢ improve

the program

1998: “Open Source” sounds better as “Free Software”?

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The software Freedomsrequire access to the source code

→ “Open Source Software”Free Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS)

Source code: if encrypt(password) == encryptedpassword, then login=1, end

Compiled code: 001001011101010011001100001111011000110001110001101

The free software worldcharacteristics

➢ FLOSS exists for all tasks

➢ Huge

➢ e.g. 324K projects, 3.4M contributors @ sourceforge.net➢ e.g. IBM > 1 billion $ per year

➢ Several business models

➢ Well organised

➢ User friendly ← written by users for users

➢ Cross-platform ← recompile source code

➢ High development pace ← reuse of best modules

➢ High quality ← peer review, reuse = survival of the fittest

➢ High security ← peer review, Unix origin, modular, encryption

Why FLOSS?➢ reduce (license) costs

➢ reduce digital divide

➢ eliminate software piracy

➢ easier license management

➢ easy to localize and customize

➢ better quality (peer review, intrinsic-motivated developers)

➢ increase security (security by design vs security by obscurity)

➢ increase interoperability (open standards)

➢ reduce dependencies from monopolies & foreign software companies

What is influencing

FLOSS useby school staff?

Methodology

➢ Interviews

➢ Model conceptualization

➢ Pilot survey

➢ Web based survey

➢ Model validation

Basis for conceptual model

➢ Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology ➢ Theory of Reasoned Action➢ Technology Acceptance Model➢ Motivational Model➢ Theory of Planned Behaviour➢ Combined TAM & TPB➢ Model of PC Utilization➢ Innovation Diffusion Theory➢ Social Cognitive Theory

➢ Innovation diffusion Model

UTAUT model

Our conceptual model

Validated acceptance model for Free Software in (Flemish) schools

Do you think it is desirableto use FLOSS in education?

Which softwaredo you use at school?

Which softwaredo you use at school?

What is your motivationto use Free Software?

What is holding back the adoption of FLOSS in your school?

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Conclusions

➢ FLOSS is being used, but not as a routine➢ Lack of knowledge➢ Misconceptions➢ Perceived barriers

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Recommendations

➢ for schools➢ Develop FLOSS vision, plan, expertise➢ Teach students how to share

➢ for government and managing structures ➢ Give central role to ICT-coordinators➢ Create an expertise network➢ Improve FLOSS information

Copyleft Frederik Questier, Vrije Universiteit Brussel 25

DAREDARETO SHARETO SHARE

Questions?Thank you!

Credits

➢ L’associazione studentesca S.P.R.I.Te. http://www.geektees.com/funny-shirts/software-is-like-sex-its-better-when-its-free-t-shirt/

➢ Cartoon Open Source Fish by openssoft

➢ Question mark CC-by by Stefan Baudy

➢ OPEN, CC-by-nc-sa by Tom Magliery

➢ Open arrow, CC-by-nd by ChuckCoker

➢ Share matches CC-by-nc-nd by Josh Harper