Fw: Re: [seul-edu] Linux in Elementry

[Douglas Loss <dloss@suscom.net>]

On Thu, 23 Aug 2001, owner-seul-edu@seul.org wrote:

> From: "Kyle Hutson" <smyle@rockcreek.k12.ks.us>
> To: seul-edu@seul.org
> Subject: Re: [seul-edu] Linux in Elementry
> 
> > I am a firm believer that we teach concepts rather than
> keystrokes.  Many
> > years ago I had the occasion to teach 5-8 computing.  We
> started out with
> > PC-Write (shareware) but could not get a site license. 
> Subsequently we
> > got a license for Framework IV.
> 
> Having supported Framework II, III, and IV, I can sincerely
> say "I'm 
> sorry".
> 
> >                               My students had to learn two
> different
> > word processors.  The "a-HA" moments were many.  "Oh, that
> is how it
> > works!"  By teaching two different programs, I was able to
> give them the
> > tools necessary to figure out any word processor.
> 
> I like the idea.  I may propose that for our Jr. High computer
> apps 
> course.
> 
> > Let's face it, Microsoft Word 6 and Microsoft Word 97 and
> Microsoft Word
> > 2000 are all different, with different commands, different
> features, and
> > different file formats.  They share the name, that's it.
> 
> ....but the differences from any version to the next are
> subtle.  
> Likewise, if you upgrade from Office 6 to Office 97, you can
> just 
> show those subtle differences, rather than the relatively
> large 
> differences (again, in keystrokes, not concepts) between
> WordPerfect 
> and Word.
> 
> > Does this idea translate into the elementry classroom?  I
> think so.  Don't
> > hit them with 5 programs, but with two.  And maybe the
> concepts learned
> > with groff may be the most basic and best foundation for
> teaching any word
> > processor!  Set the kids up with EE (easy editor) or Pico or
> VI.  Teach
> > them the concepts as seen with groff and memorandum macros. 
> Good stuff
> > here.  (Ok, it won't work for second graders... but it WILL
> for fifth.)
> 
> Teaching VI to elementary?  YIKES!  Not impossible, mind you,
> but I 
> wouldn't want to take that "challenge", for those students
> accustomed 
> to the ease of any GUI-based text editor.
> 
> 
> --
> Kyle Hutson /  Director of Technology  / Rock Creek Schools: 
> USD323
> smyle@rockcreek.k12.ks.us                              
> 785-494-8591
> Actually I am a laboratory mouse posing as an engineer as part
> of an
>                elaborate plot to take over the world
> 
-- 
Doug Loss           Advertisements contain the only truths
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(570) 326-3987             Mark Twain