Re: [OS:N:] Seniors and open source

[Kevin Cole <kjcole gri gallaudet edu>]

Jay Scherrer wrote:

> I am asking for some help on planning an open sourced introductory class
> mainly for Seniors but open to all interested. Are there any suggested
> sample syllabuses available from the list? I am probably going to use
> the Open CD project <http://www.theopencd.org> for the classroom
> material because we do have access to several Microsoft machines. But I
> haven't quite taught a class before, let a lone to Seniors. The director
> warned me that most of the Seniors are not very computer savvy. So any
> idea's will be appreciated.

Some non-curriculum-specific thoughts:

Consider some of the Live CD's out there, so that you can guarantee
the students that they won't do any harm by experimenting.

If you are going with pre-installed stuff, and have the flexibility to
do so, configure things to that they're not too animated/flashy, while
still being interesting.  For example, personally, I think most web
portals are a pain in the ass with a menu on top, a menu on the left,
a menu on the bottom, a menu on the right, a stock ticker, a weather
report, an animated ad and a pop-up box.  If I wanted a frigging
busy-box, I can go back to my playpen. ;-)

Ergonomics: How are the desks, keyboards, mice, and monitors (font size,
contrast, etc), chairs, overhead lighting?  How much can you control
them?

-- 
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