Re: KDE EDU

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Re: KDE EDU
by Martin on Thursday 13/Sep/2007, @11:10

Difficult questions, I mean the point is that we learned a lesson. In the past some actions were perceived as very difficult such as calculation, algebra, logic. But then came AI and we understood that the difficult and complex thing is what we perceive as easy. No wonder, as we are not designed for these tasks. Same for memorizing. You can't avoid it and the real important task it to forget what you don't need. Computers can do "the other stuff". Or go to Africa and find out how much you took for granted and what makes the difference.

I wrote several learning programs but then I found out that the pedagogical concept behind flashcards was bad. And I didn't want to use them myself. Or think of the 70th programmed instructions. KDE stuff performs pretty well in the eLearning landscape. It is possible to learn a language in 3 month but not with education software.

Of course educational software programs are important for schools in a kind of procurement checklist fashion. However, it does not make sense to use them and children will find them boring. Of course, in many nations of the south learning means memorizing.

Good concepts from my perspective are tools which assist children to learn. Tools children want to use. Programming in 1988 was simple. You sit down and write your Hello World in minutes. Programming today is overcomplex.

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Re: KDE EDU
by Soap on Thursday 13/Sep/2007, @12:30

First work with script languages - Perl, Python, Ruby, etc. (C64 Basic anyone?).
Then work up to more complicated & compiled languages (eg. c/c++)
Add in make-files as things get more complicated.
As you go, learn whatever graphics/sound/data-management stuff you want to.

Unless you want to contribute to a group project, cvs/svn/git, and a bunch of stuff that might make programming harder to get into, isn't necessary.

Much of learning IS memorizing.
Basic arithmetic -> 2+2=4,
vocabulary -> canard=duck,
spelling/phonics -> "ce" makes a "s" sound, there/they're/their
geography -> Canada is north of USA
history -> Hitler is responsible for some aweful stuff
Physics -> F=ma
mathematics -> all those axioms
grammar -> conjugation of verbs, pronouns, types of words...
sports -> you're not allowed to touch a soccer ball with your hand (in most cases)
...
Even in cases where memorizing isn't necessary, it saves a lot of time.

There are also other apps in KEDU:
Kalzium - chemistry, impressive molecular modelling
Marble - a globe with satelite imagery (recently added 2D models)
Step - a 2D physics simulator, impressive stuff
Kig - interactive geometry, excellent for visualizing complex 2D geometry.
...

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