Helios, FOSS and some other stuff

[Skip Guenter]

Excellent! Helios has some supporters/volunteers/members (don't know 
what to call them) that have a great interest in using FOSS in the 
public education system. Perhaps you've seen Don's video: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZIs8lCzk5k

I read the same article and have some issues with it. We've also found 
that if there isn't some level of introduction / education on the system 
they don't get used as well as they could. Since we often install 
computers into places that don't have Internet access right away... I've 
often wondered if actually helped that they are forced to just work/play 
on the computer w/o the distraction of 'facebook' and such things for a 
couple/few days.

BTW, If anyone can get their hands on the Austin American Statesmen 
tomorrow... I have been told that Ken & the Helios Project made the 
front page! In that article (as I was typing I got sent a link to the 
web version) it talks a bit about the article that I'm sure we're both 
talking about. Check it out: 
http://www.statesman.com/news/helios-projects-ken-starks-helps-kids-bridge-digital-834613.html

Also our July "Camp Helios" computer camp went well. We ALL 
underestimated (in varying degrees) how fast 3rd thru 5th graders would 
catch on. More about that here: 
http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/2010/07/future-of-ithere-they-are.html

One last thing this group might be interested in: 
http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/2010/07/linux-learning-taking-step-forward.html

l8r, Skip

Jonathan Stulce wrote:
>   We in the Dallas region had a similar project called OCAM (One 
> Computer a Month) in which we would donate a recycled machine to a 
> school child. We've also slowly influenced those we know in the 
> education field to adopt more open source alternatives. This has been 
> growing in popularity, and some software has been replaced in the local 
> schools.
>
> Unfortunately, I recently read an article showcased results in a study 
> that implies technology tends to hurt students more than assist them. 
> Still, it's hard to compete in school without a computer.
>
> On 06/20/2010 12:17 AM, Skip Guenter wrote:
>   
>> Following with that '/doing stuff/' line...
>>
>> How many of the folks on this list from in and around Austin
>> participated in today's "Linux Against Poverty (LAP)?
>> (http://linuxagainstpoverty.org/)
>>
>>     
-- 
"A child's exposure to technology should never be predicated on an ability to afford it."