Fred,
There are a few issues here
1. We are talking about computer skills not computer aided learning. That is a seperate topic in itself. I have looked at the syllabi for a couple of other states, and they don't differ much..a spreadsheet is a spreadsheet is a spreadsheet, and a desktop is a desktop and there are just so many things to be learnt about them. How they are taught is another matter, and not part of the syllabus IMHO.
2. It you think its possible to generisize, thats great. In looking through the syllabus, I felt that it was necessary to replace windows specific terms with Linux specific terms.
In short, if your fear is that your efforts will be frowned upon by the pubdits, rest easy, the board has already accepted the de facto situation where the syllabus is being taught with Linux. All that is needed is to present them with a new syllabus that is either generic or LInux specific. In the latter case schools will have the choice of following either
From: Frederick Noronha fred@bytesforall.org Reply-To: gscp@yahoogroups.com To: gscp@yahoogroups.com, fsf-friends@gnu.org.in CC: "Nagarjuna G." nagarjun@hbcse.tifr.res.in Subject: Re: [gscp] Goa Syllabus for Linux Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 11:42:41 +0530 (IST)
Two points:
(i) The syllabus does not need to be "Linuxised", it just needs to be made product-neutral and OS-neutral, and task-oriented.
(ii) Secondly, apart from just doing the above, it also needs to be reevaluated. Look at the crap they're being taught in schools in Goa!
I could easily volunteer anytime. But educationists are going to turn around and say that the syllabi was framed by people without a background in pedagogy.
Apparently Dr Nagarajuna of the TIFR is working on collating comparative syllabi of different institutions (if I recall right... my 'hard-disc' is too cluttered). We need to see what the others are doing, and perhaps go in for a best-case practise. FN
On Wed, 13 Nov 2002, Daryl Martyris wrote:
While Kerala forges ahead on developing a Linux computer curriculum, our
very own Goa computer syllabus needs to be Linux-ized. Linux is de-facto being used in all the 18 schools we have finished setting up with LTSP, but we need a volunteer to go through the syllabus and replace the MS terms with Linux ones e.g. Windows with Linux, Ms Office with abiword, Excel with Gnumeric, so that it can be presented to the Goa Board.
..about 1 hour's worth work..any takers..?
Syllabus attached if anyone's up for this.
----- Original Message ----- From: Frederick Noronha To: Arun M Cc: gscp@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 10:53 PM Subject: [gscp] LINK: Volunteers required for textbook preperation
This is for both English and Malayalam. FN
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Section on Wordprocessing, programming, spreadsheet(partial),desktop (partial) done. Materials on Freesoftware needs to be made so that it can be added as boxes. Write up on tools like Dr Genius has to be made.
More important is support service network. Arranging for training master trainers. Providing distro CDs.
Can you put up the syllabus also, so that we know what exactly is the scope of the text book?
Area & sub Area
Word Processing
- technological terms & tools
Curriculum Objectives
- To open word processor
- To format typed text with an aesthetic sense and accuracy
- To insert clip arts and word arts appropriately
- To identify the situation where the templates can be used.
- To use template as part of the day day to activity.
- To edit and modify text and graphics so as to suit individual situation.
- To insert table in a document, and format it.
- To select the most appropriate tool for specific task.
- To check spelling and grammar
Spread sheet
- tools and methods
- technological terms & tools
- practical issues
Curriculum Objectives
- To open Spread sheet
- To use appropriate &n various tasks.
- To identify most suitable method to navigate through cells
- To apply formula in a cell and bring its relation to other cells.
- To format cells and sheets.
- To apply logic in accomplishing a task.
- To aesthetically arrange a work book.
- To use graph and charts using wizards. to enhance communication efficiency.
- To easily prepare summary and & statistics.
- To insert hyperlinks to other documents.
Presentation software
- tools and methods
- technological terms & tools
- practical issues
- As a powerful teaching and learning tool
Curriculum Objectives
- To open presentation software
- To use appropriate tool for various tasks.
- To identify the most suitable method to prepare slides
- To insert and format texts in slides.
- To insert pictures in slides
- To insert word art on slides
- To apply colours,textures designs and pictures as background.
- To apply background designs.
- To use graphs and charts to enhance communication efficiency
- To use custom animation and sound
- To use slide transition
- To insert sounds videos motion clips etc. in presentation
- To insert hyper links to other slides, other presentation and other documentation.
Introduction to Graphical Desktop (GNOME ?)
- tools and methods
- technological terms & tools
- practical issues
Curriculum Objectives
- Logging in to the graphical desktop.
- To navigate through the desktop
- To create a graphical file and save it.
- To delete, copy, move, rename and change attribute.
- To create a directory and move its location.
- To customize desktop.
- Learning support applications
Curriculum Objectives
- To identify the power of the mathematical drawing tools available in Dr. Genius
- To enable the student to use IT tools and applications for effective learning and communications if various subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, SS etc.
Introduction programming.
- Basic Elements
- Syntax
- Conditional
- loops, functions
- simple program
Curriculum Objectives
- To understand basic elements ( variables, statements, expressions )
- To understand basic structure of a program (syntax)
- Basic functions (I/O , Maths)
- Control structure.
- To understand iteration.
- To understand structured programming.
- To use programming for solving simple problems (maths) and to write, run and debug simple programs.
Introduction GNU/Linux
- History of GNU
- Ethical issues & free software concepts.
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Hi Daryl,
On Thu, 2002-11-14 at 20:00, Daryl Martyris wrote:
- We are talking about computer skills not computer aided learning. That is
a seperate topic in itself. I have looked at the syllabi for a couple of other states, and they don't differ much..a spreadsheet is a spreadsheet is a spreadsheet, and a desktop is a desktop and there are just so many things to be learnt about them. How they are taught is another matter, and not part of the syllabus IMHO.
- It you think its possible to generisize, thats great. In looking through
the syllabus, I felt that it was necessary to replace windows specific terms with Linux specific terms.
we need a volunteer to go through the syllabus and replace the MS terms with Linux ones e.g. Windows with Linux, Ms Office with abiword, Excel with Gnumeric, so that it can be presented to the Goa Board.
When it comes to GNU/Linux, I don't think that it's advisable to specifically mention the name of the program. I mean, what if the company decides to discontinue the GPL for the particular package? Obviously, it would be illegal to still distribute the software which in turn would make the references in the books obsolete. An example would be Star Office. How long is abiword,gnumeric etc going to be free?
rgds, Andrew
On Thu, Nov 14, 2002 at 11:34:48PM +0530, Andrew Suares wrote:
Hi Daryl,
On Thu, 2002-11-14 at 20:00, Daryl Martyris wrote:
- We are talking about computer skills not computer aided learning. That is
a seperate topic in itself. I have looked at the syllabi for a couple of other states, and they don't differ much..a spreadsheet is a spreadsheet is a spreadsheet, and a desktop is a desktop and there are just so many things to be learnt about them. How they are taught is another matter, and not part of the syllabus IMHO.
- It you think its possible to generisize, thats great. In looking through
the syllabus, I felt that it was necessary to replace windows specific terms with Linux specific terms.
we need a volunteer to go through the syllabus and replace the MS terms with Linux ones e.g. Windows with Linux, Ms Office with abiword, Excel with Gnumeric, so that it can be presented to the Goa Board.
When it comes to GNU/Linux, I don't think that it's advisable to specifically mention the name of the program. I mean, what if the company decides to discontinue the GPL for the particular package? Obviously, it would be illegal to still distribute the software which in turn would make the references in the books obsolete. An example would be Star Office. How long is abiword,gnumeric etc going to be free?
How many applications do you know which were GPLd and have since become propreitary? On the other hand I know several non-GPLd applications which have become GPLd later. This logical possibility cannot be a valid argument for not talking about applications like gnumeric.
Nagarjuna
,---- | When it comes to GNU/Linux, I don't think that it's advisable to | specifically mention the name of the program. I mean, what if the | company decides to discontinue the GPL for the particular package? | Obviously, it would be illegal to still distribute the software which in | turn would make the references in the books obsolete. An example would | be Star Office. How long is abiword,gnumeric etc going to be free? `---- A particular version of a Software once released under GPL cannot be taken back. How ever its future versions can go propeirtary. We are left with the choice of sticking to the version released under GPL or hire some programmers to compete against the proprietary branch and maintain it.
Andrew Suares wrote:
I mean, what if the company decides to discontinue the GPL for the particular package? Obviously, it would be illegal to still distribute the software
Not quite. Once GPL, always GPL.
Holder of the copyright (the original author) can of course, give the s/w to anybody under a different license. This is called dual licensing.
Newer versions may be released under non-GPL licenses. In this case, those who got copies under the GPL can continue to use, modify, and distribute the older parts, so long as they continue to distribute / release the sources.
So, the fears are unwarranted.
This is not the case with several licenses approved by the Open Source Initiative, (OSI), like the BSD and MIT licenses. That is why, BSD license is non-free.
Please note that I did not comment on the issue of using brand names and trade marks in the syllabus.
Regards, Mahesh T Pai.
On Fri, 2002-11-15 at 13:33, Mahesh T Pai wrote:
Holder of the copyright (the original author) can of course, give the s/w to anybody under a different license. This is called dual licensing.
Newer versions may be released under non-GPL licenses. In this case, those who got copies under the GPL can continue to use, modify, and distribute the older parts, so long as they continue to distribute / release the sources.
The best examples of this is SourceForge. savannah.gnu.org runs the older, free version of the sourceforge colaborative development network software on its servers while VA continues to develop a non-free version of its Enterprise Edition on the older free version. I happen to work for a company which is developing the Source Forge Enterprise Edition for VA and I'm amazed to see how less important freedom means to these VA guys. One of the "top" people in VA is patient enough to remove all occurences of the string 'GNU/' from /etc/motd. Maybe it is his conscience that pricks him and prolly thats the reason why he did it. :D
-Suraj
If memory serves me right, Mahesh T Pai wrote:
I mean, what if the company decides to discontinue the GPL for the particular package? Obviously, it would be illegal to still distribute the software
Not quite. Once GPL, always GPL.
Not always ... For example Ximian , the Gnome people including people from the Gnome Foundation recently changed the license of their entire class libraries from LGPL to X11 ... Of course it goes without saying that the Authors who assigned copyright to Ximian, Inc became unwilling partners in this switch ... (of course forking is possible, but who cares ....)..
Hmm... maybe I am BIASED about that .... ;-)
So, the fears are unwarranted.
Fears of loosing what we have is unwarranted ... btu future editions may face any consequences ... (Sourceforge Enterprise Edition anyone ? ...)
Gopal
Mahesh posts :
This is not the case with several licenses approved by the Open Source Initiative, (OSI), like the BSD and MIT licenses. That is why, BSD license is non-free.
^^^^^^^^
The BSD license is GPL compatible and is free but should never be used by freedom lovers. The BSD license is fraught with danger in that it allows a `non-free' fork to happen thereby cutting of the flow of oxygen (freedom) back to the original source. The free original source will not get the benefit of being free, because, now the `non-free' fork is killing it. Freedom for that BSD licensed program gets extinguished because the very license could not defend and protect it.
The modified BSD license.
This is the original BSD license, modified by removal of the advertising clause. It is a simple, permissive non-copyleft free software license, compatible with the GNU GPL.
The original BSD license.
This is a simple, permissive non-copyleft free software license with a serious flaw: the ``obnoxious BSD advertising clause''. The flaw is not fatal; that is, it does not render the software non-free. But it does cause practical problems, including incompatibility with the GNU GPL.
On Fri, 15 Nov 2002 13:33:41 +0530, Mahesh T Pai paivakil@vsnl.net wrote:
This is not the case with several licenses approved by the Open Source Initiative, (OSI), like the BSD and MIT licenses. That is why, BSD license is non-free.
You mean non-copyleft. The Modified BSD license is one of the many non-copyleft GPL compatible free software licenses.
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLCompatibleLicenses
It gives you all the freedoms that the GPL gives you. But because it is non-copyleft, it also gives you the freedom to deny the same freedoms to others.
To call it non-free is non-right :)
On Fri, Nov 15, 2002 at 05:03:56PM +0530, Khuzaima A. Lakdawala wrote:
To call it non-free is non-right :)
You are correct.
Regards
-
ab＠gnu.org.in -
Andrew Suares -
Daryl Martyris -
Dileep M. Kumar -
Gopal V -
klak＠giasbm01.vsnl.net.in -
Mahesh T Pai -
Nagarjuna G. -
Raghavendra Bhat -
Suraj Kumar