Open letter to KITE CEO on forcing teachers, students and parents to use WhatsApp
This letter was started as a response to @Nandakumar Edamana sending an email to SMC mailing list (see the thread here: http://lists.smc.org.in/pipermail/discuss-smc.org.in/2020-June/thread.html). You can see the draft here https://cryptpad.fr/pad/#/2/pad/edit/CLrd8men4PdS4n9+iPs+OzBT/ please contribute.
Update 1: I think we should offer to help teachers interested to provide Free Software based services and some of us should share our phone numbers. Please add your numbers to the cryptpad if you don't mind sharing your number in public.
Update 2: Govt order https://education.kerala.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GO-Online-Class-First-Bell.pdf (it dies not specify WhatsApp)
Update 3: Join #FreeSoftwareFirstBell:poddery.com matrix group to coordinate future actions as we got reply from KITE CEO and one school teacher.
Follow up: Open Letter to teachers https://codema.in/d/u3EDIs4x/kerala-schools-choose-proprietary-google-suite-for-online-teaching
and dedicated group (separate group for Malayalam and English) to work on Free Software in Education https://codema.in/d/PeEx5bHZ/created-a-new-group-for-free-software-in-education
Pirate Praveen Sat 6 Jun 2020 3:51PM
It does not, only dependence on non-free software and services is eliminated by switching to matrix. But matrix or moodle can be accessed from any computer so people are not forced to use a smart phone, for example a public computer in a library could be used.
Gokul Das B Sat 6 Jun 2020 8:26PM
That's a good point. However, this line feels counter productive: "Besides, there are some people who don't like to use high-end technology at all". Makes it feel like teachers are resisting change. How about something like this? "This also forces teachers and students to acquire high end devices which they may not prefer. There is no option to use, for example a public computer in a library"
Pirate Praveen Sun 7 Jun 2020 7:21AM
It is only a first drat created from an email by Nandakumar. It is no way in a final state, please edit it as you see fit.
Gokul Das B Mon 8 Jun 2020 12:01AM
Thanks! Will keep that in mind. Didn't want to edit without consulting.
Poll Created Sun 7 Jun 2020 2:45PM
Would you like to volunteer to support teachers if they choose to provide a Free Software replacement to WhatsApp? Closed Sun 28 Jun 2020 1:00PM
#PrivacyYathra:poddery.com matrix group can be used to coordinate next steps. We got a response from KITE CEO for our support offer. We also got requests from one teacher and using #FreeSoftwareFirstBell:poddery.com to support them.
Update: Since reaching out to KITE did not really work out, we are reaching out to teachers directly instead, https://fsci.in/blog/letter-to-kerala-teachers Please sign and share this widely.
If you are still interested to help teachers, join our group dedicated to Free Software in Education (separate groups for English and Malayalam)
https://codema.in/d/PeEx5bHZ/created-a-new-group-for-free-software-in-education
Hope to see you in the group to take it to next level.
When we write to KITE CEO, we will have to offer our support and if we can give them a concrete number of volunteers, that will have more credibility than just criticism.
support : technical assistance with issues during the use of a software (client applications)
setup : support setting up and maintaining infrastructure for a service (server applications)
train : training teachers and students on how to use a software or service
Results
Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I'd like to volunteer to train Jitsi | 22.5% | 16 | |||
|
I'd like to volunteer to support using Matrix clients | 21.1% | 15 | |||
|
I'd like to volunteer to setup Moodle | 19.7% | 14 | |||
|
I'd like to volunteer to train Moodle | 12.7% | 9 | |||
|
I'd like to volunteer to support using Signal | 11.3% | 8 | |||
|
I'd like to volunteer to support using Telegram-with-Matrix bridge | 5.6% | 4 | |||
|
I do not support Telegram | 5.6% | 4 | |||
|
I'd like to support using Quickly/Conversations/XMPP clients | 1.4% | 1 | |||
Undecided | 0% | 187 |
25 of 212 people have participated (11%)
shine Sun 7 Jun 2020 7:28PM
I can support in sysadmin-related tasks ( mostly off hours )
Abraham Raji Sun 21 Jun 2020 3:33PM
I believe telegram is a bit more mature and would be an easier replacement for WhatsApp for students and teachers. It's server being run on proprietary software is an issue but in comparison to WhatsApp it's definately a step up.
Telegram still does not have videocalling feature yet so we might have to resort to using Jitsi there.
All this being said I don't mind supporting any of the above technologies if the community chooses to do so.
Abraham Raji Sun 21 Jun 2020 3:37PM
I believe telegram is a bit more mature and would be an easier replacement for WhatsApp for students and teachers. It's server being run on proprietary software is an issue but in comparison to WhatsApp it's definately a step up.
Telegram still does not have videocalling feature yet so we might have to resort to using Jitsi there.
All this being said I don't mind supporting any of the above technologies if the community chooses to do so.
Vivek K J Sun 7 Jun 2020 3:10PM
I'd like to volunteer to support using Matrix clients
I'd like to volunteer to train Jitsi
Gokul Das B · Sat 6 Jun 2020 3:30PM
I agree with dangers of non-free SaaS software in education. But how does use of free software exclude use of high end devices? Moodle (frontend) and Matrix clients require as much hardware resources as WhatsApp. Is there a specific point being raised about non-free software and forced use of high-end devices?
Edit: After reading the linked message, I think I get a better idea of what it means. However, unless there is a direct link between non-free software and hardware resources, I feel it is better to rephrase it as:
Many are reluctant to use software like WhatsApp due to concerns about privacy. It would be unethical to force them to use it or act as agents of these software.