[nzlug] open source in NZ schools

[Michael Adams]

On Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:18:29 +1300
Cliff Pratt wrote:

> 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.
>

I actually disagree with this. You could teach six year olds on Office12
if you like, but will it really prepare them Office15? How different
will the UI be in 15 years when they hit the workforce?

It's not six year olds that have the tendency to fit into the first
group you outline. It is adults, specifically of my generation that were
taught by rote.

Kids at school are far more adaptable and it is definately a good
grounding in general techniques that they want. OO.o, Abiword, or
Office12?