Hi
I'm a teacher at a school in Yeppoon, Qld, Australia.
I’m looking at doing a unit on Linux this term with my yr10s. My
expectation of this group is that should be more than just consumers – they
should really get their hands dirty! However, they will be noobs.
I’d like to perhaps get 3 things from this group:
1. Feedback on the content
2. Access to some limited Linux guru support via the likes of IRC
3. Feedback on student blogs.
The activity will be run along the Project Based Learning model – they’ll
do ALL the work, I’ll merely facilitate. Ask poignant questions and keep
them on track.
I am a Linux user of many years. I know enough to be dangerous. I run my
own server, and am constantly on IRC getting help. I acknowledge I’m only a
noob.
The overarching question/task will be along the line:
Are there any barriers to installing Linux on desktops for
classroom use in Timor Leste?
(This is the way Project based learning works - ask a Big question that
allows for meaningful investigation. We are linking up with Timor leste....)
The goal will be they begin an exploration of “all things” Linux to produce
a recommendation.
The range of activities I have in mind include:
Install the OS from ISO
Investigate the CLI via a scavenger hunt exercise I’ve setup on my home
server (access via SSH)
FOSS theory/One Laptop per child and Nicholas Negraponte
Install software via YUM/apt-get/??? Eg IRC client (something small
that will not clog the limited Internet)
Setup users/passwords/directories
Setup a firewall UFW??
Evaluate installed software eg Libre Office and other productivity
tools
Social and ethical issues associated with Linux/Unix/FOSS/open source
Help eg access to IRC experts
There’ll be assessment that I don’t need to bore you with.
The goal is familiarisation with an OS most think they have never used and
many will have never heard of. It’s about resilience and “teaching a man to
fish”.
I don’t want it to be a superficial investigation of Linux.
As I said at the beginning, I’d like feedback on the “content”.
And I’d like to know if there are any Linux gurus that we might be able to
tap into via IRC to seek assistance during a limited period of time. For
example, it may be a particular week when we’re trying to install software
or work the CLI and get some “expert” help. I see these “soft skills” as
vitally critical in teaching kids. I’m not after prolonged assistance over
a term – a short term (few days – 50min blocks here or there).
Look forward to your comments/suggestions. Nothing is off the table – the
only limitations are my ability.
The document of stuff I want them to do is at http://goo.gl/WewbjH - a
Google doc shared for viewing only. This is a work in progress as I adapt
to what is happening in the classroom, and considering comments made in
forums like this.
The six distros I ended up choosing were Mint, Sabayon, Netrunner, Korora,
PCLInuxOS, WattOS and one Rasberry Pi box. Installations happened this
morning.
The other aspect of their Linux journey will be a Journal, done as a blog.
To attempt to "lift the standard" of writing, reflection and evaluation,
I've told the students I'll share their blog URLs via Linux user groups.
Their urls run from http://sbcqld02.blogspot.com/,
http://sbcqld03.blogspot.com/ all the way up to
http://sbcqld20.blogspot.com/. The goal is to reflect on their experience,
keeping in mind the big question, could this distro be used in a school in
a first world country - shades of the One Laptop Per child programme.
Deadline for updating blogs is Friday - so if anyone has the time to read
and perhaps comment on any of these blogs, we'd certainly appreciate it.
Paul
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