[Edu-sig] Now I went and did it!

[Econoprof@aol.com]

Jason gave a very detailed syllabus but as a parent of a very bright eleven 
year old (who is desperate for some open source opportunities at school) I 
would argue against getting so technical in fifteen minutes. 

I suggest you explain what open source is, give some very cool examples of 
open source software (hmm, we saw some killer astronomy apps demonstrated 
recently that would do quite nicely).  Of course show  Python and ALice and a 
few others. And mention the open source office suites. 

THEN start the revolution.  Get the school to let you use the computer lab 
one night a week for a month.  Announce at your demo that you are going to 
offer an open source workshop with an installathon at the end. Limit 
enrollment.  Get the math teachers involved..offer them their own workshop. 
The school can't lose because the lab is there anyway, and they are getting 
free technology training.   There have to be some other parents around who 
could help mentor programming, which would be the next free workshop.  Just 
think, an open source magnet school!  I'm waiting for this to happen at my 
son's school.  Hmm, maybe I should recruit some volunteers.  

Joan Combs