[nzlug] open source in NZ schools

[Cliff Pratt]

Vik Olliver wrote:
> On Wed, 2007-01-31 at 19:49 +1300, Cliff Pratt wrote:
>> They learn the concepts by using a specific application. You can't
>> teach the concepts except *by* using one application or another.
> 
> You can't stop the parroting behaviour unless you use a variety of
> applications. Otherwise you end up with those people that Yuri met who
> get lost if the application icon is moved to the other side of the
> desktop.
> 
You get two sorts of people, those who get lost when the icon is moved, 
and those who move the icon. The first are best server learning by rote 
the application that they will eventually use for real. The others can 
use any application with more or less ease that does a similar thing.

It doesn't make sense to teach the first group a number of applications 
- that will just confuse them. It doesn't matter which application you 
use to teach the second group. Therefore it makes sense to teach 
everyone how to use the application that the first group will use for real.

While learning is a good time for indoctrination, it is counter 
productive to teach the first group an application that they will never 
use again. It will even put them off the application that they are taught.

Cheers,

Cliff