About me
I have been an avid user of/advocate for the Linux community since 2015. In partnership with not-for-profit organizations like, Let’s Get Together, my students and I continue to provide countless learners with Ubuntu computers to support their exploration and learning of the world around them.
Contact information
My Launchpad profile: mrdobbie
Contributions
2016-2017 ECOO Conference presentations
-presented how Linux systems can help bridge the digital divide by ensuring all learners have access to free computers in classrooms
2017-2018 York Catholic District School Board & Toronto Catholic District School Board Presentations
-presented and provided IT staff with free Linux servers to deploy free Linux operating systems to all of their older computers (instead of recycling them prematurely)
2017-2024 Bring It, Together Conference presentations
-with students, presented how free Linux systems could support student learning in any classroom (taught attendees how to reimage old computers with Linux systems, gave away free Linux server clones and free Linux computers to attendees)
2020-2026 Let’s Get Together Consultation/IT Support
-assisting a local not-for-profit organization with their free training/deployment program of Ubuntu computers to individuals in need throughout Ontario (goals to expand throughout Canada)
-help create user-friendly Ubuntu client interface (all based on the teaching of Aaron Prisk - as always THANK YOU AARON!)
-help create FOG server cloning systems for efficient deployment of Ubuntu images onto the free computers for clients
2016-current Teacher/Trainer at Centennial Sr PS in Brampton, Ontario Canada
-teach STCORE Tech Stewardship program in which 60 students annually are trained in hardware/software repair of desktop/laptop computers
focus: Ubuntu/Xubuntu installation on free in-class systems
Community marketing/media (calls for e-waste donations of old community computers to be repurposed with Linux)
Leadership coordination with teachers (grade 6-7 students coordinate classroom orders for new Ubuntu computers)
Community Support (Tech Stewards service the computers the donate regularly to ensure they are always updated/upgraded to support users)
Community Outreach (Tech Stewards reimage laptop and/or HD deliveries from local charities like Let’s Get Together, and send them back ready to be packaged/deployed to clients in the community)
*Our work was recognized as BEST PRACTICE in 2019 by the Ontario College of Teachers: https://professionallyspeaking.oct.ca/2019-09/2019-09-Feature-Story-2-PS.asp
Future Goals
Our future goals are to continue to support Let’s Get Together with their charitable expansion across Canada, and to continue training grade 6, 7, and 8 students in using/adopting Linux systems for their daily research/exploration/learning needs.
I would like to try to onboard more of our student trainees as registered Ubuntu community members as well. I will make sure I integrated this registration information into our Tech Stewardship program at the beginning of each cohort cycle (October and February of each year).
Thank you for this great opportunity to be a member of such a wonderfully giving community!
Andrew Dobbie