Mahesh T. Pai wrote:
Ramanraj K said on Wed, Sep 15, 2004 at 07:25:53PM +0530,:
I'll attend. We also need to present a memorandum.
Please take a look at http://puggy.symonds.net/~fsug-kochi/mass-memo.html
Mahesh, please point to links that describe the current curriculum for computer science for IT@School. History is repeating itself again, in TN now :)
While the Govt. of Kerala has provided the infrastructure required for IT@Schools, here in TN, Computer Science infrastructure _and_ teaching _may_ be handed over to proprietary concerns.
Elcot should be asked to do what Keltron has already done for Kerala:
<quote from www.keltron.org> Involved in the introduction of GNU History in curriculum of IT@School project. Involved in the introduction of GNU Linux Operating System to new Curriculum. Supplied Hardware with preloaded GNU Linux Operating system and other Applications to IT@ school project. Training in GNU LINUX platforms for government employees and other organisations Various training courses on GNU Linux and other free software tools Various training courses on GNU Linux and other free software tools like PHP, Perl, Python, MySQL, PostgreSQL etc. </quote>
The proposed program schedule of Elcot is at: http://www.elcot.com/ncce/prog-schedule.htm http://www.elcot.com/ncce/prog-schedule-day2.htm
<quote> Day 2, 25th September, Saturday, 2004 Venue : Hotel Trident Sheraton , Chennai 0930 to 1100 hrs International models in Computer Education Invited Presentations from 3 speakers of - INTEL / Microsoft / Apple </quote>
It should be interesting to hear about the plans the special invitees from Microsoft and Apple have in mind for our school children. The whole idea appears to be to _give_ information to the delegates and I am not sure if the program schedule seriously allows delegates to address on the issues within the allotted two half hours of "moderated open discussion".
Further, it has been reported that:
"Private companies in computer education have brought in the hardware, software and the staff to teach the course framed by the State Government. Thus the schools get the benefit of computer education without the government bearing any recurring expenditure. This is a model that other States are hoping to follow."
As you know, attempts like this in the US have been rejected as unethical and monopolistic.
http://news.com.com/2100-1001-276058.html?legacy=cnet http://news.com.com/2100-1001-808241.html http://www.defenselink.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/2004_Advisories/ADV_0402.htm
BTW, www.elcot.com has announced that: National Conference on Computer Education in Schools is being postponed & will be rescheduled to another date
I hope that the plans change as well, for the better :)
Meanwhile, we could send in a memorandum to the school authorities in TN, on the lines of your earlier memo to school authorities in Kerala, to pre-empt any decision allowing propreitary concerns to take over teaching of Computer Science.