Using open source to enhance learning

Over the course of the last eight years, open source software has emerged as an important stimulus for social and economic change in the communication and information technology (C&IT) industry. Even though the roots of this change stem from education, educators have been slow to adapt. This paper presents an overview of how early adopters have used open source software to enhance learning. In addition, this paper presents the results of the collaboration between the Java society, the Bayamon campus of inter American university of Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rico government. The result of the collaboration was the creation of SNAP development center, an open source software development project created within inter American university that employs undergraduate student researchers. The objectives of the project have been to increase the number and enhance the quality of graduates with expertise in the C&IT area of interest.