Fwd: [linux_schools] Vande Mataram, the first school to teach Computers using GNU/Linux in AP

[Rakesh 'arky' Ambati]

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

--arky

--- linux_schools <linux_schools at yahoo.com> wrote:

> To: linux_schools at yahoogroups.co.in
> From: "linux_schools" <linux_schools at 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 at ...>
> 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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