I'd like to get some feedback about some ideas floating around my head at the moment, and thought that some of you might be able to help here.
I was talking with some people who would like to fund some concrete Free Software activities, focusing on research and education.
One idea which came up is to support pupils to learn more about how computer work, and promote hacking by providing "science packs" with small hackable computers, and some modules, sensors etc.
What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects?
I would be interested what you think about that, as I am not yet sure about it.
If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?)
Thanks for your feedback, Matthias
Hi, Matthias,
In general I like these kinds of ideas. The whole Raspberry Pi concept is well developed. What I have been thinking recently however, is that there is perhaps an overfocus on hardware. Imagine instead a virtual small computer easily accessed and programmed from a within a web browser. It could visualize the memory, step-by-step debugging could be very straight-forward etc. I would even use it myself to "once and for all" understand some cs concepts i'm still unsure about or know in theory but have not "seen". Maybe such projects are available but I am not aware of any (please tell if you do know). A similar but more advanced projects is the nand2tetris.org course that I would like to persue at some point.
Some obvious benefits of a software solution include no distribution issue, environmental concerns, upgrades and not to mention zero duplication costs.
With this said, if having your own small hardware computer gets the kids going, that should of course be great to support for fsfe I think.
Best regads Jonas Forsslund Sweden
2016-11-25 14:32 GMT+01:00 Matthias Kirschner mk@fsfe.org:
I'd like to get some feedback about some ideas floating around my head at the moment, and thought that some of you might be able to help here.
I was talking with some people who would like to fund some concrete Free Software activities, focusing on research and education.
One idea which came up is to support pupils to learn more about how computer work, and promote hacking by providing "science packs" with small hackable computers, and some modules, sensors etc.
What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects?
I would be interested what you think about that, as I am not yet sure about it.
If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?)
Thanks for your feedback, Matthias
-- Matthias Kirschner - President - Free Software Foundation Europe Schönhauser Allee 6/7, 10119 Berlin, Germany | t +49-30-27595290 Registered at Amtsgericht Hamburg, VR 17030 | (fsfe.org/join) Contact (fsfe.org/about/kirschner) - Weblog (k7r.eu/blog.html) _______________________________________________ Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
Hello all,
I find this type of initiative very interesting, I'd like to have some similar educational project when I was in school.
I think the software approach commented by Jonas could be more affordable, in terms of management, and more cheap too. Said that, the idea of a kit to hack is really attractive. Perhaps it could be interesting to propose it as course in schools or online (like on Coursera or a similar site).
Best regards,
On 11/25/2016 02:53 PM, Jonas Forsslund wrote:
Hi, Matthias,
In general I like these kinds of ideas. The whole Raspberry Pi concept is well developed. What I have been thinking recently however, is that there is perhaps an overfocus on hardware. Imagine instead a virtual small computer easily accessed and programmed from a within a web browser. It could visualize the memory, step-by-step debugging could be very straight-forward etc. I would even use it myself to "once and for all" understand some cs concepts i'm still unsure about or know in theory but have not "seen". Maybe such projects are available but I am not aware of any (please tell if you do know). A similar but more advanced projects is the nand2tetris.org http://nand2tetris.org course that I would like to persue at some point.
Some obvious benefits of a software solution include no distribution issue, environmental concerns, upgrades and not to mention zero duplication costs.
With this said, if having your own small hardware computer gets the kids going, that should of course be great to support for fsfe I think.
Best regads Jonas Forsslund Sweden
2016-11-25 14:32 GMT+01:00 Matthias Kirschner <mk@fsfe.org mailto:mk@fsfe.org>:
I'd like to get some feedback about some ideas floating around my head at the moment, and thought that some of you might be able to help here. I was talking with some people who would like to fund some concrete Free Software activities, focusing on research and education. One idea which came up is to support pupils to learn more about how computer work, and promote hacking by providing "science packs" with small hackable computers, and some modules, sensors etc. What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects? I would be interested what you think about that, as I am not yet sure about it. If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?) Thanks for your feedback, Matthias -- Matthias Kirschner - President - Free Software Foundation Europe Schönhauser Allee 6/7, 10119 Berlin, Germany | t +49-30-27595290 <tel:%2B49-30-27595290> Registered at Amtsgericht Hamburg, VR 17030 | (fsfe.org/join <http://fsfe.org/join>) Contact (fsfe.org/about/kirschner <http://fsfe.org/about/kirschner>) - Weblog (k7r.eu/blog.html <http://k7r.eu/blog.html>) _______________________________________________ Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org <mailto:Discussion@lists.fsfe.org> https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion <https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion>
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
interesting to propose it as course in schools or online (like on Coursera or a similar site).
Like 'Road to digital freedom' online course?
https://eliademy.com/catalog/road-to-the-free-digital-society.html
-- -- Andres (he/him/his) Ham United Group Richmond Makerlabs
Well, that could be part of the course, but I meant something more like getting hands dirty hacking the hardware/software kit.
On 11/25/2016 06:22 PM, amunizp wrote:
interesting to propose it as course in schools or online (like on Coursera or a similar site).
Like 'Road to digital freedom' online course?
https://eliademy.com/catalog/road-to-the-free-digital-society.html
Andres (he/him/his) Ham United Group Richmond Makerlabs
Hello,
On 25/11/2016 20:23, Roger Sicart Rams wrote:
Well, that could be part of the course, but I meant something more like getting hands dirty hacking the hardware/software kit.
Although the idea is nice (and I did start on old 8bit computers in the class), there are also ways to learn code without actually using computers, for the younger ones:
http://www.psfk.com/2016/03/montessori-hands-on-coding-for-toddlers-cubetto....
François.
On 25/11/16 19:30, François Revol wrote:
Hello,
On 25/11/2016 20:23, Roger Sicart Rams wrote:
Well, that could be part of the course, but I meant something more like getting hands dirty hacking the hardware/software kit.
Although the idea is nice (and I did start on old 8bit computers in the class), there are also ways to learn code without actually using computers, for the younger ones:
http://www.psfk.com/2016/03/montessori-hands-on-coding-for-toddlers-cubetto....
François.
I agree, you can teach about networking too i think
if you take 2 people and give them a sticker with an IP adress on and throw a tennis ball to each other, this is like pings, if 1 person drops it, then that is like lost packets
now take 3 or more people and when you throw the ball person 1 - 2 number 2 drops the ball unless they are told to pass the ball on to person 3, this is i guess like a firewall allow packets through, if you use the port that say minecraft would use 35565 iirc, then this would be something the children may relate to (well teh game at least(
so in order to play MC online the computer you connect to must allow packets in to the server software.
Granted this kind of simplistic but it may teach the ideas behind networking port forwarding, firewalls etc
Paul
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
Hi, at the University of Milan, Italy, we have this Aladdin project (http://aladdin.unimi.it/) to introduce computer science to children (since 4th grade). Among the most successful initiatives there are:
- Algomotricity: similar to cs unplugged, it aims at exposing pupils to a specific informatic topic, without focusing on hardware/software, although a final computer-based phase tries to close the loop with their previous acquaintance with applications, in order to match at least in part the expectations of pupils, who often identify informatics with the mere use of a computer. (http://aladdin.unimi.it/algomotricita.html). In the last years we organized algomotricity labs for ~3000 pupils.
- Bebras: an (international) challenge on informatics and computational thinking for students of primary and secondary schools. The main goal is to show the fun in thinking on problems as informatic professionals do. (here the international site: http://bebras.org and the Italian one: https://bebras.it). The last Italian Bebras (november 2016) had ~28000 participants.
Best,
On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 8:30 PM, François Revol revol@free.fr wrote:
Hello,
On 25/11/2016 20:23, Roger Sicart Rams wrote:
Well, that could be part of the course, but I meant something more like getting hands dirty hacking the hardware/software kit.
Although the idea is nice (and I did start on old 8bit computers in the class), there are also ways to learn code without actually using computers, for the younger ones:
http://www.psfk.com/2016/03/montessori-hands-on-coding-for-toddlers-cubetto....
François.
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
I think Arduino (or clones) could be really good here, i demoed a few simple projects at a secondary (11 - 18) science fair and got some interest, things like temperature etc, thing with arduino it is more complex but no oS to worry about so you write, compile, upload, so potentially better for embedded project. you can use a pi to write to arduino anyway, I would look at both, if only to raise awareness of both and also that a good engineer uses the right tool for the job, be it hardware or software.
Paul
On 25/11/16 19:23, Roger Sicart Rams wrote:
Well, that could be part of the course, but I meant something more like getting hands dirty hacking the hardware/software kit.
On 11/25/2016 06:22 PM, amunizp wrote:
interesting to propose it as course in schools or online (like on Coursera or a similar site).
Like 'Road to digital freedom' online course?
https://eliademy.com/catalog/road-to-the-free-digital-society.html
Andres (he/him/his) Ham United Group Richmond Makerlabs
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
Further to all this
https://projects.drogon.net/lmc/
little man computer, is a simulator i think for assembly language teaching.
On 25/11/16 20:11, Paul Sutton wrote:
I think Arduino (or clones) could be really good here, i demoed a few simple projects at a secondary (11 - 18) science fair and got some interest, things like temperature etc, thing with arduino it is more complex but no oS to worry about so you write, compile, upload, so potentially better for embedded project. you can use a pi to write to arduino anyway, I would look at both, if only to raise awareness of both and also that a good engineer uses the right tool for the job, be it hardware or software.
Paul
On 25/11/16 19:23, Roger Sicart Rams wrote:
Well, that could be part of the course, but I meant something more like getting hands dirty hacking the hardware/software kit.
On 11/25/2016 06:22 PM, amunizp wrote:
interesting to propose it as course in schools or online (like on Coursera or a similar site).
Like 'Road to digital freedom' online course?
https://eliademy.com/catalog/road-to-the-free-digital-society.html
Andres (he/him/his) Ham United Group Richmond Makerlabs
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
On 25/11/2016 22:42, Paul Sutton wrote:
Further to all this
https://projects.drogon.net/lmc/
little man computer, is a simulator i think for assembly language teaching.
Yet another option is to dig out old computers like Apple II, ORIC, ...
And there are FLOSS tools now to use them, for ex. for ORIC: http://osdk.defence-force.org/ http://miniserve.defence-force.org/ and a Free Software OS that runs on C64, Apple II and others, Contiki : https://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Contiki
And those are all using a 6502, we can now use a larger version to explain how it worked: http://hackaday.com/2016/05/24/how-the-dis-integrated-6502-came-to-be/
;-)
François.
On Friday 25. November 2016 22.49.13 François Revol wrote:
On 25/11/2016 22:42, Paul Sutton wrote:
Further to all this
https://projects.drogon.net/lmc/
little man computer, is a simulator i think for assembly language teaching.
Yet another option is to dig out old computers like Apple II, ORIC, ...
They actually have a room of BBC Micros at Bletchley Park for schoolchildren to use, showing them what computing used to be about and confronting them with things like BASIC and maybe even assembly language (although I doubt that they really have time for BASIC tuition let alone assembly language).
One problem here is that the hardware can fail, especially given its age, but also because there are certain kinds of capacitors that tend to "pop" (which means that the room of BBC Micros needed volunteers to "re-cap" the machines before they could be rolled out), those nasty coin cells and other rechargeables that corrode and destroy the PCBs, dodgy power supplies, and increasingly rare proprietary ICs (SID, ULA) that fail and cannot be replaced.
And there are FLOSS tools now to use them, for ex. for ORIC: http://osdk.defence-force.org/ http://miniserve.defence-force.org/ and a Free Software OS that runs on C64, Apple II and others, Contiki : https://www.c64-wiki.com/index.php/Contiki
And those are all using a 6502, we can now use a larger version to explain how it worked: http://hackaday.com/2016/05/24/how-the-dis-integrated-6502-came-to-be/
It is actually possible to do new machines based on such CPUs because they are still in production. I guess that was originally the vague idea behind the Raspberry Pi - the instigator prototyped it using Atmel AVRs (similar to the ones used in the Arduino), I think - and the users would have had a "bare metal" experience similar to the microcomputers of old. However, the project picked up that Broadcom SoC and the rest is history.
There are other "microcomputer" or "retrocomputer" projects such as ELLO 2M:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/yellow-beak-computer/ello-2m
These employ relatively small amounts of memory and microcontrollers, but that's enough to run low-level code or some form of BASIC. Interestingly, and a reminder to everyone about the value of Free Software, that particular project experienced problems using a proprietary BASIC and an apparently uncooperative developer which could have had serious consequences for the fulfilment of the rewards of the crowdfunding campaign in question:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/yellow-beak-computer/ello-2m/updates/2399
(You have to read between the lines, but I think the video in the previous update provides more details.)
But anyway, something like PIC32 (which is a MIPS variant) or one of the ARM microcontrollers would provide a microcomputer experience and yet offer workstation capabilities for those interested in more advanced concepts. (We have to encourage ambition in the next generation, after all.)
What is most important, however, is that the software is Free Software - no short-cuts for the convenience of vendors - and that the materials are Free Content and coherent. Despite what was promised about the Raspberry Pi with regard to revolutions in the computing curriculum, my understanding is that not very much happened. And it's worth watching what happens with the Micro:Bit (or however it is spelled) to see whether the technology is deployed in a coherent way, whether it sustains interest, and whether it cultivates a community to support it.
Paul
On 26/11/2016 01:21, Paul Boddie wrote:
They actually have a room of BBC Micros at Bletchley Park for schoolchildren to use, showing them what computing used to be about and confronting them with things like BASIC and maybe even assembly language (although I doubt that they really have time for BASIC tuition let alone assembly language).
Oh, and there's a BASIC that runs on GNU/Linux also: http://gambas.sourceforge.net/en/main.html
It is actually possible to do new machines based on such CPUs because they are still in production. I guess that was originally the vague idea behind the Raspberry Pi - the instigator prototyped it using Atmel AVRs (similar to the ones used in the Arduino), I think - and the users would have had a "bare metal" experience similar to the microcomputers of old. However, the project picked up that Broadcom SoC and the rest is history.
Some ppl are doing it for ORIC: http://oric.club/atmostrat
There are other "microcomputer" or "retrocomputer" projects such as ELLO 2M:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/yellow-beak-computer/ello-2m
These employ relatively small amounts of memory and microcontrollers, but that's enough to run low-level code or some form of BASIC. Interestingly, and a reminder to everyone about the value of Free Software, that particular project experienced problems using a proprietary BASIC and an apparently uncooperative developer which could have had serious consequences for the fulfilment of the rewards of the crowdfunding campaign in question:
Oh and there are gaming consoles, like the Pico8, and the BitBox: http://bitboxconsole.blogspot.fr/p/blog-page.html
François.
Gordon Henderson (see Little man computer link) has also written Return To Basics. which is a basic interpreter for Linux and the Pi, as he also wrote wiringPi libraries, then this is integrated with RTB (and hence the pi gpio pins). If you're familar with Fuze basic then that is based on RTB, longer story, behind this which is not really mine to tell,
RTB is a modern basic so using procedures for example rather than line numbering.
http://projects.drogon.net/rtb/
you can install with apt-get install rtb, and you can also wget some example programs.
Paul
On 26/11/16 00:50, François Revol wrote:
On 26/11/2016 01:21, Paul Boddie wrote:
They actually have a room of BBC Micros at Bletchley Park for schoolchildren to use, showing them what computing used to be about and confronting them with things like BASIC and maybe even assembly language (although I doubt that they really have time for BASIC tuition let alone assembly language).
Oh, and there's a BASIC that runs on GNU/Linux also: http://gambas.sourceforge.net/en/main.html
It is actually possible to do new machines based on such CPUs because they are still in production. I guess that was originally the vague idea behind the Raspberry Pi - the instigator prototyped it using Atmel AVRs (similar to the ones used in the Arduino), I think - and the users would have had a "bare metal" experience similar to the microcomputers of old. However, the project picked up that Broadcom SoC and the rest is history.
Some ppl are doing it for ORIC: http://oric.club/atmostrat
There are other "microcomputer" or "retrocomputer" projects such as ELLO 2M:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/yellow-beak-computer/ello-2m
These employ relatively small amounts of memory and microcontrollers, but that's enough to run low-level code or some form of BASIC. Interestingly, and a reminder to everyone about the value of Free Software, that particular project experienced problems using a proprietary BASIC and an apparently uncooperative developer which could have had serious consequences for the fulfilment of the rewards of the crowdfunding campaign in question:
Oh and there are gaming consoles, like the Pico8, and the BitBox: http://bitboxconsole.blogspot.fr/p/blog-page.html
François.
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
Il giorno ven 25 nov 2016 alle 14:32, Matthias Kirschner mk@fsfe.org ha scritto:
If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?)
Fab Lab promote many activities for kids. This is the italian website: http://fablabforkids.it/
They are very focused on hardware. Too much maybe (I agree with Jonas).
El 25 de noviembre de 2016 13:32:25 GMT+00:00, Matthias Kirschner mk@fsfe.org escribió:
I'd like to get some feedback about some ideas floating around my head at the moment, and thought that some of you might be able to help here.
I was talking with some people who would like to fund some concrete Free Software activities, focusing on research and education.
One idea which came up is to support pupils to learn more about how computer work, and promote hacking by providing "science packs" with small hackable computers, and some modules, sensors etc.
What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects?
I would be interested what you think about that, as I am not yet sure about it.
If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?)
Thanks for your feedback, Matthias
-- Matthias Kirschner - President - Free Software Foundation Europe Schönhauser Allee 6/7, 10119 Berlin, Germany | t +49-30-27595290 Registered at Amtsgericht Hamburg, VR 17030 | (fsfe.org/join) Contact (fsfe.org/about/kirschner) - Weblog (k7r.eu/blog.html) _______________________________________________ Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
In UK there are codeclubs which are outside of school hours.
Libre hardware/software would be nice to give out a community project: a bus countdown system, an irrigation,... children would be given different tasks: code, docs, research, hardware, installation,... -- -- Andres (he/him/his) Ham United Group Richmond Makerlabs
* Matthias Kirschner mk@fsfe.org [2016-11-25 14:32:25 +0100]:
If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?)
Thanks a lot already for your feedback. I will have a look at some of the projects mentioned here.
About the software/hardware part: My impression (can be biased by my own way of learning) is that it is much more fun to have software as part of something which will change physical things.
Regards, Matthias
On Monday 28. November 2016 12.22.12 Matthias Kirschner wrote:
About the software/hardware part: My impression (can be biased by my own way of learning) is that it is much more fun to have software as part of something which will change physical things.
It is interesting to read (supposed) user feedback about the Micro:Bit where people seem to be happy with what they can do with it, which for the most part would seem to involve blinking LEDs since the ecosystem is currently nowhere near as broad as for other devices. This goes against what people once said about such simple devices - that children wouldn't be impressed because there are no fancy graphics - although it is possible that as with so many of these devices, adults are acquiring them and enthusing about them in such feedback.
Nevertheless, the physical world interactions promoted by such devices, as opposed to simulating things with a PC, are becoming increasingly relevant and affordable. And although one could do a lot with mobile phones because they usually include a package of different sensors - this was even advocated by various people when the Raspberry Pi was being promoted as a learning tool - the state of the mobile platforms is a significant concern, especially to people who want to uphold the interests of Free Software.
Paul
Dear all,
In case this is of interest for any of you, the European Commission launched last month the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition.[1] All organisations, groups or government bodies taking action to boost digital skills in Europe can become members.
Some more info, as stated:
"Member States are invited to develop comprehensive national digital skills strategies ** by mid-2017 ** on the basis of targets set by end-2016. This includes:
Establishing national digital skills coalitions connecting public authorities, business, education, training and labour market stakeholders. Developing concrete measures to bring digital skills and competences to all levels of education and training, supporting teachers and educators and promoting active involvement of business and other organisations."
All the best, Olga
[^1]: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/get-involved-digital-coalition
Hello Olga and everyone,
On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 12:37:19PM +0100, Olga Gkotsopoulou wrote:
In case this is of interest for any of you, the European Commission launched last month the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition.[1] All organisations, groups or government bodies taking action to boost digital skills in Europe can become members.
Thanks for the pointer!
I'm interested and think it would be a good thing if FSFE participated in this. Though I have no idea how time consuming this may be and how likely it could be turned into a positive outcome.
Does anybody have experience with this?
Some more info, as stated:
"Member States are invited to develop comprehensive national digital skills strategies ** by mid-2017 ** on the basis of targets set by end-2016. This includes:
I skimmed through the page and was somewhat offended by the focus on "make 'em job ready" (opposed to "self determined, educated (media literate) citizens")
Nevertheless, it would be good to have "someone" on board to make our point. :)
Greetings,
Guido
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
Hi,
On Friday, 2016-11-25 14:32:25 +0100, Matthias Kirschner wrote:
One idea which came up is to support pupils to learn more about how computer work, and promote hacking by providing "science packs" with small hackable computers, and some modules, sensors etc.
Maybe interesting to German readers: https://de.wikibooks.org/wiki/Programmieren_leicht_gemacht_-_ad%C3%A4quate_M...
It doesn't only list what "packages" already exist (some a tad old though) but also gives a short overview about what qualifies a learning software.
What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects?
In general yes, though if hardware based then for school projects they have to be offered in quantities to supply (multiple) entire classes or courses. In which case it's also difficult to make schools actually *want* them to use. Need approval, financial care, interested teachers, depending on country/state buy-in from ministry, yadayada..
If you like it, do you have an idea how you could make sure that children who are interested in that are connected around Europe? (E.g. in Germany there is something called "Jugend hackt" -- youth is hacking -- Is there something similar on a EU level? Or are there other ideas?)
Just found at https://jugendhackt.org/ (now even was at Seoul btw ;-) https://hackdash.org/
Eike
Hello,
On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 02:32:25PM +0100, Matthias Kirschner wrote:
I was talking with some people who would like to fund some concrete Free Software activities, focusing on research and education.
...
What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects?
I like it. Though the hardware packs alone won't do the trick. The crucial part will be the teachers/mentors who will introduce the pupils to them. If they don't care about FS, the students won't be even aware that they are using it.
Greetings,
Guido
Hi,
Op 02-12-16 om 12:52 schreef Guido Arnold:
I like it. Though the hardware packs alone won't do the trick. The crucial part will be the teachers/mentors who will introduce the pupils to them. If they don't care about FS, the students won't be even aware that they are using it.
In my humble opinion, here in the Netherlands teachers in the education system appear to be open to accept different teaching methods provided personal benefits are involved.
Best regards,
Hi all
I run the Torbay Tech jam , trying to get in to local schools seems to be a nightmare, slow and frustrating. We could make a pack available to those who visit the Torbay tech jam, or in fact I can see if some of the younger attendees can perhaps feed in to the development of this.
I strongly believe there is an opportunity here. for example we have 2 students from the same school, very able and keen, I have contacted their school and offered to help them and others who are very keen, able and self taught by setting up a lunchtime club, no interest from the school, all they need is some simple help, a nudge in the right direction, e.g set up Arduino + 8x8x display, change the message, add more displays, I try and do this at the jam but am doing other things at the same time, i need to spend 10 mins on tasks without distractions of the jam. I also buying a lot of resources myself, so it takes weeks for items to arrive, sending from amazon sellers in china or banggood, as I simply can't afford to buy them at UK prices.
I think trying to get in to schools is going to be a hurdle, heads and teachers are busy enough so more offers on the desk tend to go unanswered in some cases.
You may be better off aiming (at least at the start) this at the sort of event I am running, tech jams, pi jams etc, you are then dealing with a different group of people not held back by the constraints and demands of the national curriculum.
Tech jams is attended by children, young people, parents, and sometimes teachers. Parents are also part of the school community have access to schools, teachers and are know to the school. If a child can go in and say look what I did at the weekend, and the school can get the materials for this easily, then the school may just take an interest. If they show friends then their friends want to do the same it will start to pressure the schools, hopefully not to the extent that they get frustrated and end up giving up due to that additional pressure from able kids demanding more challenging lessons.
I am happy to contribute material which can be modified and presented in a far better way than I have.
Paul
On 02/12/16 11:52, Guido Arnold wrote:
Hello,
On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 02:32:25PM +0100, Matthias Kirschner wrote:
I was talking with some people who would like to fund some concrete Free Software activities, focusing on research and education.
...
What do you think about making it easier for pupils to get access to such tools. E.g. by having some packs in the libraries or for school projects?
I like it. Though the hardware packs alone won't do the trick. The crucial part will be the teachers/mentors who will introduce the pupils to them. If they don't care about FS, the students won't be even aware that they are using it.
Greetings,
Guido
Discussion mailing list Discussion@lists.fsfe.org https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
I just saw this in the web of the Col·legi Oficial d'Enginyeria de Catalunya, (the computer bar, so to say, an official sort of guild).
It looks as the Catalan government is starting a 1.5M€ program to foster STEM vocation in children, with competititions, extrascholar ativities, catalogue of resources and talks and forming teachers and monitors i programming and robotics.
http://enginyeriainformatica.cat/?p=19775 http://punttic.gencat.cat/article/neix-bitbotcat-programa-fomentar-les-vocac... https://bitbot.cat/
I haven't read anything specific about free software. From a very quick browse there seems to be a mix of proprietary and free software without any defined criteria to introduce freedom values. I saw arduino, scratch, python, mindcraft, lego mindstorms, 3d desing and printing...