K-12 Examples > What are educators using? > Our survey results

Our survey results

This is the full description and analysis of our survey of current users in K-12. See "What are educators using?" for a summary.

• Who are they?
  • Position | Employer | Responsibilities
  • District size | District setting | School size | School level | Location
• What are they using?
  • Backend solutions | Frontend solutions | Recycled hardware
  • Why backend | Why backend (combined)
  • Why frontend | Why frontend (combined)
• Are they using open source on the desktop?
  • Backend vs. frontend
• Is it difficult to use open source in K-12?
  • Satisfaction (backend) | Satisfaction (frontend)
  • Satisfaction (combined)
• What solutions do they recommend?
  • Backend solutions | Frontend solutions
• What are their general opinions about open source?
  • Mature enough | Use more | Philosophy | Influence
• Archived Research Results

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Survey methodology

To participate in the ongoing survey, go to: http://www.netc.org/surveys/oss/oss.asp

This survey was designed to study open source in K-12, particularly current users. It was launched on the NETC Web site in November 2002. This research was updated April 2004.

Survey respondents were self selecting and self reporting. Only complete surveys were included in the analysis. If respondents revealed they didn't currently work in K-12, their responses were discarded. Respondents had the option to remain anonymous. Many chose to identify themselves.

The original survey was dynamic. Based on early responses, the survey asked or failed to ask certain relevant questions. For example, if the respondent indicated no use of open source on the backend, the survey did not ask more specific questions about the backend. The questions were organized by category (not number), so respondents didn't see numbered questions or nonsequential numbers. Explanatory test and examples accompanied most questions.

The research update is based on the final version of the the original online survey.

The survey was open to anyone using open source in K-12, and was publicized in the K-12 open source community. Various community mail lists and Web sites were used to invite respondents. Most respondents were from the United States, with about 50% from Oregon and Washington. Many respondents recommended K12LTSP. This partially reflects the strong support of the K12LTSP community for the Open Options project (and hence their awareness of the survey), and the popularity of K12LTSP in the Pacific Northwest. The survey was open to anyone using open source in K-12 and was publicized in the K-12 open source community. Various community mail lists and Web sites were used to invite respondents. Most respondents (81%) were from the United States with about 26% from Oregon and Washington and 20% from Illinois. Many respondents recommended K12LTSP. This partially reflects the strong support of the K12LTSP community for the Open Options project and the growing popularity of the K12LTSP.

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Open Options is a product of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. These materials are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. The following acknowledgment is requested on materials which are reproduced: Developed by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Portland, Oregon.

This Web site was developed and maintained by the Northwest Educational Technology Consortium. The federal funding for the regional technology consortia program ended on September 30, 2005, and no further updates are planned unless additional funding becomes available. However, much of the content is still useful and NWREL will continue to provide access to this site to support educators and to meet its own technical assistance needs.