On 9/18/07, Biju Chacko <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This is really braindead. I'd have preferred to see a curriculum that > was free of *anybody's* political agenda. The curriculum ought to be > teaching concepts that could be learned on any kind of software -- > free or otherwise.
That was how it was in simpler times. We learnt data strutures and algorithms using Pascal for two years in 11th and 12th. This was the CBSE in the early-mid nineties. The whole thing is not as simple any more. Some issues at play: 1. With the trend to start 'Computer' classes earlier and earlier, I suppose it becomes very difficult to talk in terms of abstract concepts for too long. 2. There aren't too many clueful teachers around - even in upmarket urban schools - who can be relied upon to take an educated call on what software is the right tool for teaching a set of concepts. This would either (a) expose schools to the guile and charm of well fed marketeers from companies such as Microsoft, or (b) render a syllabus completely useless for those 'unfortunate' to be off corporate radars It is very similar to why boards not only prescribe a syllabus, but also put out standard text books - it's a framework to bail out teachers and salvage the situation for the poor kids. So prescribing tools to be used cannot be averted. 3. Standardizing on *a* platform makes it so much easier for training the teachers. Again, do not underestimate how clueless they are and how much tutoring they need. 4. Standardizing on tool/language versions makes for consistent grading - which is very very important in high stake exams like 12th boards I do feel putting Linux on every school computer would encourage tinkering. I really hope so. Overall, I feel I wish we lived in a world where every schoolboy/girl is an intelligent potential-kernel-hacker, taught by enlightened selfless teachers in a system where grades do not matter. Since we do not, enforcing use of free software on Indian schools in a big way is a great, practical solution ;-)
