GHCA's Linux-based Computer Lab & Network

Built on open source software

Greater Houlton Christian Academy entered the international spotlight back in January of 2003 when Linux Journal published an article titled, "Linux From Kindergarten To High School." This article features the Academy's Linux-based computer lab, detailing how a small, private school was able to build a modern computer lab for our students as well as an advanced network for our faculty and staff, all for a fraction of the traditional cost. This was done using free and open source software (FOSS), particular the Linux operating system.

The money saved using FOSS and the flexibilty of the GPL, which is the license used by much of FOSS, has allowed our computer technician to build an amazing network infrastructure, providing our students with technology that would normally be out-of-reach for a school of our size and demographic. This savings continues as Linux allows us to use unique hardware like our newly-installed silent thin client technology, which was donated to us along with the LCD monitors for FREE by a local business!

To learn more about the role Linux has played in our computer network over the years, read latest article about our school, Linux For The Long Haul, in the August 2008 issue of Linux Journal.

GHCA's Computer Lab

Our computer lab houses 20 Neoware e90 thin clients connected to 17 inch LCD monitors. These workstations are connected to local and Internet resources using our network file server and caching Internet proxy server. Our customized operating system is optimized to run the latest cloud-based applications, business software, simulations, and other educational software. Adjustable, ergonomic chairs allow students both younger and older students to use the computer hardware with ease. In fact, the computer lab is an integral part of Elementary starting in second grade and continuing up through Junior High. It has also been used over the years to offer advanced High School classes like Computer Programming, Computer Technology, and even Robotics!

GHCA's Wireless Network

GHCA offers a secure (WPA2) 802.11g wireless network for our older students, allowing those students to use personal Internet-enabled devices like netbooks, laptops, and iPads in the classroom for the purpose of research, presentation, simulation, practice drills, note-taking, etc. This wireless network has it's own filtered, caching proxy server which is only available to GHCA students and faculty, thus adding to the security of the network. How this network is used in individual classrooms is still evolving, with the teacher being a primary driver of the integration of this technology in his / her curriculum.

The Network is the Computer

These wise words were first coined by John Gage, and it became a rally call of tech giant Sun Microsystems. This reality is more obvious than ever as more and more applications are "in the cloud", that is, found and focused on the Internet. GHCA has built a strong infrastructure to provide high-speed bandwidth to our students, faculty, and staff. Our recently-upgraded Digital Subscriber Line greatly improves our connection to the Internet, and two highly optimized Squid caching proxy servers with adaptive content filters ensure our local area network (LAN) and wireless local area network (WLAN) can deliver Internet content at aggressive speeds.

As a Christian Academy, we work hard to protect our children from inappropriate websites, "distractions", and online predators while at school*. Our network also implements a variety of advanced security tools and firewalls to protect sensitive records and documents.

Our use of the Internet doesn't stop in the classroom. This dynamic and interactive website is an example of how GHCA uses the Internet to communicate to students, parents, and prospective partners of the Academy. Teacher blogs are an excellent tool for teachers to communicate information and their thoughts, and now every teacher has an email address, found on the Faculty Page, so students and parents can easily communicate with their teachers as well. One of the most powerful uses of technology is our student information system (SIS) called SURRAnet. This allows students and parents to check grades, attendance, owed work, discipline, and other records online from their home computer!

* Disclaimer: No Internet filter technology is 100% perfect, thus we still rely on classroom management and student integrity in those rare cases when something slips past our filters.

PUBLICATIONS

Mr. Surran, author of meBible and the architect of our current computer network and infrastructure, has written a number of magazine articles and spoken at regional conventions concerning open source software and Linux. To learn more about our technology and our innovative use FOSS, check out the following! (Note: Some of these publications are now dated in light of recent changes to our technology and programs.)

• Linux For The Long Haul - this article looks back over the five year period between its writing and when we first made the switch to Linux. It details the challenges we've faced and the benefits we've seen in using Linux and open source software during this span of time.
• Harnessing the Power of Open Source Software - I had the priviledge to speak at the 2007 ACSI New England Convention about Open Source software. The provided link pulls up the Google video of this seminar. The audio and the slides from this presentation are also available (click links).
• Do It Yourself Robots With Linux - this article in Linux Journal describes our robotics program, specifically focusing on the robot created by the 2005-2006 class.
• WAGM TV Sci Tech Flash - "Robotics" - this video clip features our Robotics class students and their sentry bot.
• WAGM TV Sci Tech Flash - "Gentoo" - this is a video clip of a feature WAGM did regarding our recent upgrade to Gentoo Linux.
• WAGM TV Sci Tech Flash - "K9" - this is a video clip of a feature WAGM did regarding Mr. Surran's new creation, K9 the robot dog.
• Making the Switch to Open Source Software - this article is featured in the September issue of T.H.E. Journal. This article details the process and advantages of switching to open source software.
• Linux from Kindergarten to High School - this article is featured in the February issue of the Linux Journal magazine. I recommend everyone interested in learning more about using Linux in the classroom purchase a copy.
• Linux Case Study - this case study details our transition from second-hand donated computers to all-new computers running open source software.
• Of Prayer and Penguins - learn about the real force behind the new equipment in our state-of-the-art computer lab.