Re: Ok, http://gperiodic.seul.org exists

[Malonowa <malonowa@wanadoo.fr>]

jim@mercury.laney.edu wrote: Now... educational opinion follows:

> If it is the desire of a particular pedigogy to have students touch unix,
> then it follows strongly that they must get used to reading technical
> documentation. A beginning effort, for example, might involve a lecture
> on cat, explaining its functionality and options. Students would be encouraged
> to use cat in all ways presented. Then, somehow, the man page for cat needs
> to be folded in: "you know I told you cat -n makes line numbers, can you
> find where it says that when you type 'man cat'?"
>

This is probably appropriate at University level but nowadays, I'm not sure that
students will ever really need to touch the command line. This is more computing
studies than using IT in wider subject area.

> I think overall this kind of thing goes to ability to do research and gather
> information. I think these abilities in both this specific form (man pages for
> unix commands) by anyone planning to enter a 4-year university and is getting
> a unix account there.
>

:-) I agree with this. Teaching through exploration is a strong educational
philosophy in England.

The ability to research, compile,  analyse and present information is the foundation
for learning and developments to start with should concentrate on this. There's no
point in having software to say, learn about science if the students don't have the
tools to do all the above - and at all age and ability levels.

> Obviously, level and area of study have to be considered, but obviously many
> areas can benefit if a student can be spurned to learn on his/her own.
>

Exactly.