Brainstorming: Open Source Aps in the Secondary Classroom (part 1)

Would it be beneficial on the secondary level, to utilize and teach Open Source software (such as Open Office) or Web 2.0 applications, to fulfill the course objectives defined with the computer education classroom?

Honesty Alert: I haven’t actually used much more than Google’s documents/spreadsheet applications and have light experience with open office. Therefore, I’m not sure if all of this will completely make sense, but I’m simply going to brainstorm some potential advantages of incorporation within the secondary level classroom for now. Next week, I'll tackle possible disadvantages. In the meantime, feel free to add advantages, thoughts, comments on this subject matter to this post. Futuristically, and idealistically, I should/will research how Open Source or Web 2.0 has been (or is currently being) implemented into actual educational situations.

Additional note: I'll refer to a word processor as the "for instance" type scenario, but can be applied to other applications.

Potential Advantages:

1. The almighty dollar – much less costly site license for the district. Monies can go toward computer hardware within the school system, textbooks, supplies, SMART boards (or teacher salaries, of course.)
2. Many times students bring in MS Works files, or other equivalent, which cannot be opened with the MS Word product used at school. We cannot expect guardians/students to buy software that specifically matches the school’s. It can be expensive and the substitutes are not always compatible with the environment utilized in class. For instance: students often get those weird little squares and become distressed when attempting to submit an assignment the day it’s due.
3. Those utilizing the same open source software/application will have the latest updates and will be able to open the file whether they are located at home or school. For instance: we utilize the latest version of Microsoft Office. If they take their file home where a possible early version of Microsoft Office is active, they may/will encounter issues opening up the file.
4. Considering Web 2.0 applications such as google’s “Documents” - when absent from class, the student can (from home) continue to work on a previously started file during class. The same file can be accessed through their gmail account. No necessary flash memory (or other tangible alternative) to backup files.
5. Students may be able to acclimate from one word processor to a different word processor better. Right now, people are timid to try something new. Are we hooked on Microsoft Office here at PMSD? Seems like students don’t know what to do when they come to another word processor, which sorta boggles my mind. Not sure if this 'advantage' is realistic, but somehow, I have to wonder if students might be able to acclimate easier to other word processors in an Open Source environment. Perhaps the teacher should demonstrate how to use different types of word processors?
   
6. Files, for some applications, may work across various computer platforms.