We wanted to build a tool that engages a child's extended community to get them more involved in the child's education. So Mr. Tabb created Harvey. In tech speak, Harvey is an open-source server, software and Web site designed to automate work flow between kids and their schools. Teachers use Harvey to give homework assignments and reminders. Students post homework where instructors and peers can review and comment on it.
Parents can check on their child's work or class activities.
Grandparents have even peeked in to laud kids' projects. Other rules focus on online privacy, warning students not to tell anyone their password, for example. The rules were developed because teachers at Gateway realized students would be creating publicly viewable Web pages and would be responsible for what they said. In June 2000, Mr. Tabb posted the Harvey software code on Freshmeat.net, a Web index of open-source software, where it is available free to anyone who wants it. Educational institutions around the world, including the mathematics department at the University of Milan, Italy, and Huafan University in Taipei, have found Harvey this way.