As a blogger, there is nothing more exciting than writing something that generates a reply or comment from someone who happens to drop by your blog.
That happened recently when I gave some preliminary thoughts about Windows S and I appreciate reading the thoughts/perspectives from those who cared to drop off a thought or two. Quite frankly, it was very interesting reading on my part and maybe more insightful than my original post. You can’t ask for more than that.
To be fair, we’re still a way from the release of this product and hardware and software vendors will have a great deal of say as to how this will roll out.
If you’ve got the time, check out the comments.
Embedded in a reply from Cal Armstrong was an eye opener for me. It took me off into a completely different direction.
The only thing a proprietary store does is ensure a profit-path for Apple/Google/Microsoft and arguably add some convenience in finding them (Tucows had reviews). And in Apple’s case, an opportunity to impose a US cultural perspective.
The bold text above is mine.
As a Canadian, and Ontarian, I did some real thinking over this comment.
I know that many folks, including me, will change their keyboard layout to Canadian and make the default dictionary Canadian.
But, does a keyboard a culture make?
- Canadian culture is more than a US keyboard with a u added in words like colour.
- Canadian culture is more than a British dictionary because we have tires and not tyres.
Of course not. But, seeing things spelled differently over and over again starts to make you think that it’s true. Ditto for content that you read. There are always perspective and points of view in writing.
So, if we believe that Canadian culture is important, what are we prepared to do about it? Will you only use Canadian content material? Teacher-librarians are wonderful people to have a discussion with about the appropriate selection of learning materials. Do you put as much thought into the selection of computer material from your device’s store or from wherever you get your resources? Or, do you just throw up your hands and say “It’s either this or nothing”.
In your classroom, what does it mean to you?
doug --- off the record 
We are quite fortunate that significant latitude is allowed in the selection of learning materials in our schools. I have always appreciated seeing the red-and-white Maple Leaf sticker on books that is added by libraries (public and school) to highlight Canadian-authored materials. Just yesterday I borrowed a book from our school library for use in a Social Studies lesson and noted with satisfaction that it had the sticker. While the machinations of bodies like the CRTC don’t generate a lot of headlines in the larger scope of things, it is comforting to know that the importance of Canadian culture is valued, and that our options and choices remain informed.
While I can’t offer a commentary on the Microsoft app store, as my use of Windows 10 is pretty much limited to when I’m testing out new releases of Minecraft, I will say that I have been pleased in seeing the way iTunes and the Apple App Store highlight Canadian artists and Canadian-developed apps over the years. Most recently I have enjoyed seeing collections of apps in the App Store (most frequently this happens on my iPad) that include a Canada150 designation. Just now I went looking for a collection I had seen in the past 10 days that highlighted apps developed by tech companies in the Waterloo-Toronto corridor. Instead I found a collection of apps in support of Montreal as it celebrates its 375th anniversary along with a Canada150 “Made in Montreal” collection. I was also pleased to learn that the Award-winning Chameleon Run game (I confess I’m not very good at it yet) was developed by a Canadian indie-game-developer out of Saskatoon called Noodlecake.
Having choice is important, be it in the selection of learning materials, music, apps, search engines, web browsers, or operating systems. It is important that we continue to value freedom of choice, and that we exercise our responsibilities carefully when we make decisions on the behalf of our learners.
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