[seul-edu] Fw: Request for Information

[SteelHead <bill@ries-knight.net>]

I just got this email.  In a years time, this is the first email sent from
the software@linuxhelpers.org link.

If I am reading this right, he is trying to hustle a quick buck, and not
actually advance educational software.  Sherri read it and said the guy is
no educator.

I can reply to him, and offer the perspective that we only want to connect
software and people with Linuxhelpers, or we could invite him to share his
spiel with SEUL.

I'm not sure what approach is appropriate, and I would like your advice.

I did ask Doug Loss, he thought tossing it to the list may be of value.  I
will also hold to the perspective that this has nothing to do with open
source.

Bill



----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Larkin" <mlarkin@optonline.net>
To: <software@linuxhelpers.org>
Cc: "Veronica Kemler" <vkemler@ceriworld.org>
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 7:58 PM
Subject: Request for Information


> Dear Staff Member,
>
> I would like to learn more about your organization, its charter, corporate
> sponsors, and educational software that is "cleared" through your
> organization. I am also interested in your opinions of the impact of
current
> educational software development upon future educational software packages
> and/or systems, particularly current infrastructural development efforts
(if
> any).
>
> If you are interested, I would like to discuss the minimal software
> environment that you believe is required to create interactive goal-based
> team-focused learning experiences with the auditory/visual impact of
current
> game systems. The goal is to enable content builders (initially) and
> educators (ultimately) to create cost-efficient learning environments
> relatively quickly and profitably. As an example, consider "vicarious
> learning software" that allows students (as teams and individuals) to run
> every aspect of a city from its government (executive, legislative,
> judicial) to its engineering infrastructure while addressing real-life
> situations tailored to the particular locality in which the software is
> being used. Basic economic theory, pollution, work-force issues,
> discrimination, and more could be addressed while focusing upon core
> curricula (math, science, language, social studies, arts). Various modules
> (e.g. infrastructure improvement projects) could be linked to other
modules
> (e.g. legal, legislative) to demonstrate (desirable and/or undesirable)
> cause-and-effect relationships.
>
> A more modest modules might allow students to experience what it like to
be
> a trader (fixed income, foreign currency, commodities, etc.)
>
> Two concepts are self-evident (at least to me):
>
> (1) An effective distribution channel is required for educational
software.
> (2) An open-source educational software infrastructure has the potential
to
> rapidly increase the quantity/quality and decrease the cost of educational
> software packages and/or systems.
>
> Please let me know whether such educational software infrastructure
exists.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Best regards,
>
> Michael Larkin, President
> Michael Larkin Enterprises, Inc.
>
> Office: (631) 277-2119
> Home: (631) 277-6320
> Beeper: (800) 888-9051 pin: 555-5423
> Email: mlarkin@optonline.net
>
>