This is what we can do with collective action!.The linux@school project has walked the talk.

--arky

--- linux_schools linux_schools@yahoo.com wrote:

To: linux_schools@yahoogroups.co.in From: "linux_schools" linux_schools@yahoo.com Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:48:53 -0000 Subject: [linux_schools] Vande Mataram, the first school to teach Computers using GNU/Linux in AP

It all started by the Correspondent of the school Mr.Aditya Pratap Rao contacting the linux_schools group .

From "vprataprao_in" <vprataprao_in@...> Date: Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:37 am Subject: Linux in School

Hi, I happen to be the correspondent of a High School in Goshamahal and a Linux enthusiast. I am interested in introducing Linux in my school. I have about four / five computers in the computer lab. I am running Fedora on two of them, though I have not been successful in networking them. I was on the look out for some useful software for school kids based on linux. At last I have found a group to cater to the needs of schools. I am certainly ready to implement Linux in my school. Kindly let me know the details. Thanking in advance,

Aditya Pratap V.

---

The school has classes from LKG to 10th class. Strength of students is around 600.

We planned to teach around 10 teachers first before teaching the students.

The training for the teachers was started in June 2nd week. The teachers had absolutely no knowledge of using a computer. Teachers were given training in groups of 2 or 3 whenever they had spare time. Their normal class schedule was not disturbed. They were given around 10 classes training over a period of 2 weeks, 1 hour daily.

These were the softwares used for training the teachers:

GCompris for keyboard,mouse operation etc, for about 5 classes until they got accustomed to use mouse and keyboard with some ease.

Also learnt advanced colour names while using Gcompris .

Tuxtype Tuxpaint

gedit for typing practice .

Teachers used their respective class text books as typing material. Eg: Typing a nursery rhyme by LKG teacher. I need not explain the benefits of doing so. The aim is to use Computer as a learning and teaching tool to enhance the learning and teaching experience of any subject.

Some teachers even had computers at home , but were afraid to use it. Some were very nervous that they didnt know anything about computers and were asking regulary if their progress was good.

To make it easy for the teachers to use mouse, the GNOME desktop was simplified. Only the relevant programs mentioned above were added to the task bar. RedHat Start button was removed.

Icons and taskbar were made extra large to make it easy for them to learn using mouse.

We planned to teach the Higher classes like 10th standard first and teach the lower classes one by one. 10th class were briefly introduced to theory and then they practised for around 10 days since they have to concentrate on board exams.

And the school intends to teach computers from 5th class to 10th class students only.

The 9th class students have been given unique project of preparing a magazine in groups of 8 students. They have to collect information from various sources like newspaper, books,magazines etc . At a time 2 students work on the project on a computer.

These may be useful tips for other schools:

1. Don't burden the students with Computer Science

syllabus (Like Word,excel,powerpoint,internet,Programming etc ), who are already over burdened by their normal school syllabus.(Internet may be good when supervised and controlled.In many schools,most of the time it is being used for playing online games and other timewasting things. Also it may take a few more years in India when internet becomes as cheap as cable tv)

2.Keep in mind "LESS IS MORE".

3.Teach only basics. Invent/device/create/experiment activities using Computers to complement and enhance the learning and teaching process of different school subjects.

Car driver doesnt need to know how to repair a car or how to design a car. He just has to learn driving and use it to travel .Using imagination we can travel to interesting places.

In the same way use the computer for doing creative activities like creating a magazine, creating paintings by children using tuxpaint and so on.

I definitely feel, a lot of interesting and creative activities will be carried out at Vandemataram High school in the years to come. There are enough educational softwares in K12LTSP to explore and more are being added with every new release.

Vande Mataram !!!

I am extremely thankful to Mr.Aditya Pratap Rao, for giving me an opportunity to implement K12LTSP Linux in the school. I also thank the teachers who showed great enthusiasm to learn and patiently followed the theory and practicals .

Cheers Herald D'Sa.

P.S: Please let me know if there is any school which has implemented GNU/Linux in school in AP, before Vande Mataram has done so.

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===== ____________________________________ /\ \ _| Rakesh 'arky' Ambati | | Bangalore (INDIA) | | Homepage: http://arky.port5.com/ | | _______________________________|_ _/_________________________________/

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