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

[Douglas Loss <dloss@suscom.net>]

On Fri, 24 Aug 2001, owner-seul-edu@seul.org wrote:

> To: seul-edu@seul.org
> From: smyle@rockcreekschools.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
> smyle@rockcreekschools.org
> 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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