Il 27/07/2017 16:52, Carpinello, Nicholas ha scritto:
> [...]
> "FLOSS Desktops for Kids", an
> extracurricular STEM project that aims to give kids access to technology
> while introducing them to basic computer science and open source software.
As you're explicitely referencing "STEM", "Computer Science" and "Open
Source", I step into this discussion trying to add a sort of "different"
approach, not strictly related to the PC ecosystem.
Just a quick preamble: I'm 46. I started dealing with PC when I was 13
(Commodore). I learned programming (BASIC) when I was 15. I'm working in
professional computer-science industry and related technology since 1996. I
run 100% on Linux, since 1998.
So I should have quite a clear idea about programming and, more important,
the various sides of the F/OSS communities.
I'm saying this, 'cause when I see my child (8 and 5 years old) I see
childrens that are _NOT_ very "comfortable" when put in front of a
"classic" PC, even tough they have in front of them some nicely-built and
well-suited application.
Introducing ICT to young generations is tremendously complex. And this for
various reasons (in Italy, for example, one big problem relates to
teachers, that are relatevily old [in terms of age] and are both not keen
to technology nor properly trained by ad-hoc central Ministry initiatives).
And so? Why I'm saying all the above?
Because I would really invite you in considering the adoption of "Arduino"
[1] as a better "tool" to introduce ICT (and OpenSource) to young people
(...and not only).
Arduino, as microcontrollers [2] in general, is much more "comfortable"
with respect to a common PC, and this for various reason:
1 - it's _DEFINITELY_ much cheaper (a chinese, legally-built, clone can be
obtained with less than 10 USD);
2 - it requires _DEFINITELY_LESS_POWER_ to be used (there are scenarios
where a small Arduino can run for _DAYS_ powered only by a common
battery-pack);
3 - as for "programming", it can be programmed with standard graphical
tools (BTW: that can run also on relatively old PCs)
But also:
4 - Arduino is something like "open-source" pushed also to the hardware.
So, basically, with it... you not only build software that you can "see"
running. You build software that you can see "acting"!
It's difficult to describe how amazed I was the very first time that my
program turned on the integrated LED.
5 - Microcontrollers (and Arduino as well) are _SMALL_ (as of memory and
CPU-power) "by design". Memory and CPU will behave the same of today, also
in ten years time! And they're definitely less large and powerful with
respect to a common computer. This means that the most complex and large
application that you might encounter is relatively easy to "see", to
"study" and to "understand".
This is much... much... much more easy, compared with what happens with
today "computer" and "internet" (...and "mobile") applications.
6 - not to mention "Electronic engineering": in addition to programming,
with Arduino you're _FORCED_ to learn also about "current", "voltage" and
other digital-electronic stuffs (resistors, diodes, transistors, etc.): A
great add-on for a "software-only" careers :-)
Well.... I'm stopping here. Hopefully my point are clear.
Let me close saying that I'm absolutely _NOT_ complaining with your
initiative. It's exactly the opposite: it should be easily "enlarged" to
better suite your main objective.
Should you need some more details, I'll be glad to answer.
Cheers,
DV
P.S.: some months ago, I wrote a short blog-post [3] with some other
additional comments about the Arduino ecosystem. Feel free to check it
(there are no ads inside).
[1] https://www.arduino.cc/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller
[3] http://dvblog.soabit.com/arduino-what-i-missed-most-during-last-ten-years/
--
Damiano Verzulli
e-mail: damiano@xxxxxxxxxxx
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possible?ok:while(!possible){open_mindedness++}
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"Technical people tend to fall into two categories: Specialists
and Generalists. The Specialist learns more and more about a
narrower and narrower field, until he eventually, in the limit,
knows everything about nothing. The Generalist learns less and
less about a wider and wider field, until eventually he knows
nothing about everything." - William Stucke - AfrISPA
http://elists.isoc.org/mailman/private/pubsoft/2007-December/001935.html
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