XAMPP on all student PCs

[ryanplym]

Hi

 

Our IT teacher wants me to install XAMPP Visual Studio Code and FileZilla on all the PCs. Personally I think its a silly idea as we already have a dedicated web server for the students to use to test their websites. Do other schools do this or am I being too soft on our IT teacher?

 

Any thoughts about this would be useful or ideas that you have put in place for key stage 4 / 5 for their coursework

 

Thanks

[synaesthesia]

Used to do that WAY back in the day, but just seems pointless now? If you have a web server, use it

[ryanplym]

Thanks, he knows about the web server, has access to it but really wants every pc to have xampp installed. Teachers always get what they want

[synaesthesia]

Only the ones that shouldn't be teaching. Explain how much of a security hole it is, even locked down and it's just not a risk worth taking; he can use the tools he's given or stack shelves at Aldi.

[ryanplym]

That reply msde me laugh. We really have gone out of our way to provide. Even as far as seperating his IT room, giving him a dedicated IP range and his own special smoothwall filtering (Everything off except adult). I dont know any other schools that would go this far

[synaesthesia]

That reply msde me laugh. We really have gone out of our way to provide. Even as far as seperating his IT room, giving him a dedicated IP range and his own special smoothwall filtering (Everything on except adult). I dont know any other schools that would go this far

 

Even that bit is going against all the rules and regulations set out to protect our students and staff - I'd be having strong words with SLT to that effect.

[ryanplym]

Thanks I agree. I have spoken to SLT multiple times and had long chats with them but they say that he is the teacher and I am not in charge of student behavior. If the students access something they are not supposed to then that is their choice. It is down to the teacher to manage their behaviour. SLT love this teacher so I have no chance. I am just concerned about installing XAMPP and getting it in the neck that the PCs are slow.

[PotNoodleTech]

Thanks I agree. I have spoken to SLT multiple times and had long chats with them but they say that he is the teacher and I am not in charge of student behavior. If the students access something they are not supposed to then that is their choice. It is down to the teacher to manage their behaviour. SLT love this teacher so I have no chance. I am just concerned about installing XAMPP and getting it in the neck that the PCs are slow.

 

Excellent that's taken you off the hook. Make sure you've got the above in writing such as an email print it out and keep it for the future.

 

Also discuss with your SLT whether they'd like to install dangerous sofware on all of the PCs and risk to lose the entire school's data, possibly have it forced to close for a month like hundreds of schools colleged unis and local authorities have had to do due to cybersecurity incidents.

 

Get that one in writing too so your covered.

[Olliedawg]

Surely an IT teacher should know that natively running code on a student machine isn't the best idea.

 

Get everything in writing.

 

Could you explore using VM's instead & running code in those?

[ryanplym]

i have a folder with email print offs, people would laugh at what they have asked us to do, unfiltered, unmonitored access to SLT ipads, they are able to log into their own personal accounts, not have it linked to their school email just as a start.

 

I do have email filtering put in place for teaching staff that pick up on "gift cards" and scams etc this has stopped alot of issues but give it time and they will ask for unfiltered access for all :-)

[ryanplym]

Surely an IT teacher should know that natively running code on a student machine isn't the best idea.

 

Get everything in writing.

 

Could you explore using VM's instead & running code in those?

 

Thats Ollie, I already have a VM in place just for this. the IT teacher has full access to this VM, it already has XAMPP and all the fun stuff installed and also a outbound firewall rule for port 80 to this vm so students can show their work off to whoever at home. I feel have done everything correct from my side but I dont think installing XAMPP on all pcs is a wise move but who am I - just the IT guy

[pete]

That reply msde me laugh. We really have gone out of our way to provide. Even as far as seperating his IT room, giving him a dedicated IP range and his own special smoothwall filtering (Everything off except adult). I dont know any other schools that would go this far

 

How are they planning to pass safeguarding during the Ofsted inspection if they have a single person willing to throw SLT under the bus?

[jnfarmer]

Surely an IT teacher should know...

What's the quote about those with a little bit of knowledge.