Re: Linux for schools

[Frederick Noronha <fred@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Nagarjuna and other friends interested in this subject: Thanks very much
for raising this issue. Expat Goans based in the US have sent a container-load
of second-use computers for schools here. We have a proposal to install Linux
in one of the beneficiary schools. Most of the computers are 486s.
We are currently working on two fronts:
(1) There is a discussion on how best 486s could take Linux, and what would be
the most suitable setup. Our friends like Younus in Ponda-Goa and Arvind in
Porvorim-Goa are particularly confident that this would work. I would request
them to share more information both with ILUGGoa and also the
LinuxIndiaGeneral mailing list, since this is such an important issue related
to the future of computer education in this part of the globe.
(2) We badly need to make a point that Linux indeed does offer educational
software, to make it relevant in a school context. There was a limited number
of applications on demo at IT.COM's Linux pavillion. But on browsing
Freshmeat.net and other sites using various categories ("education", "school",
"learn", "children", "K12"... the last is the American way of saying
high-school, if one understands right) it was clear that there's a lot more
available. Maybe some of us need to form a core team that will locate such
software, catalogue it by way of usefulness, and pass it around to schools in
India, on one compact CD. If we can do this, we would have made our point.
Does anyone else believe, like me, that this is an important task? Shall we
set up a mailing list to specially discuss this issue?
Incidentally, our young engineering-student friends at Bangalore suggested
some sites that might be useful: linuxforkids.com and openclassroom
(dot.something, not sure...)
Looking to your ideas and feedback. Good to know we have the support of
concerned individuals at TIFR in this project... FN

On Sun, 12 Nov 2000, Nagarjuna G. wrote:
> Dear Frederick
> What is the status of Goa LUG's initiative on Linux for schools?
> ilug-bom also intends to start a project here in Mumbai.  You feed back
> and experience would be useful.  Do you have a webpage?
> Regards
> Nagarjuna
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Nagarjuna G. HBCSE, TIFR, V.N.Purav Marg, Mankhurd, Mumbai 400088 India.
> Phone: 5567711						    Res: 2155604
> nagarjun@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx			   www.hbcse.tifr.res.in
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------