Suraj Kumar wrote: .... True ... "computer science" subject for classes ...
I thought I should point to some of the nitty gritty involved in taking free software to schools, from the perspective of the school, familiar to me as a `parent'. Key focus should be on _TextBooks_ because that is the main mode of input at schools.
The most important objective of computer science education in schools ought to be to make every child a proficient and intelligent user of computer programs. Free Software Distros, School Level GLUGs, running a school from a network, will all help.
We can also request developers to write the most elementary introductory tutorial keeping in mind that it will be used by high school students. [The best example I can cite is that of the documentation that comes with PostgreSQL ]
However the "computer miss/master" is usually someone without much enthusiasm for teaching computing the way, say, someone of our *wavelength* would want to. We (Demo@Schools) tried convincing a school (where we were regularly teaching the students some Free Software (bash, fundamentals of "UNIX", python)) to let us teach the teachers. But somehow they took it too personally and never liked the idea of a "teacher" learning from someone. :(
Most teachers take their job seriously and may not be able to visualise anything remotely resembling free software. The Management and teachers think in concrete terms of text books, class work, home work, tests and marks, and if a bare outline of the curriculum is laid bare, then, I think most schools and teachers would be more than happy to teach the students not only free software but the high value of sharing in life that can be easily learnt at school level.
,---- | HTH to frame an approach to introducing free software to children, and | may be through them, to parents :) `----
Any idea what is the scenario in bangalore schools (in terms of syllabus, courses, etc.,.)? Unfortunately none of my colleagues have any school-related funda.
And, what is the scenario everywhere else too [both in and out of India]? Suraj, if you remember you pointed a link to some chemistry projects, and I was surprised to see the level of interest of several govts in Europe over using free software in school projects. Some of the School Boards in Europe might have thought of these things and may have ready to use information or distros. [Mostly not in English :(
Cheers! Ramanraj.