Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Extended support
--- Paul Taylor
Hi all:
Good, err, Morning -
I have started the process of getting ready for September and yet another specification to prerare for. I teach predominantly KS5 which is nice but it does mean quite a lot of work each summer. I have been using Moodle to
And here was me always under the assumption that you teachers disappear abroad each summer. Heck, if not, what were all those "teachers training days" about? :)
but I am thinking about specifics such as macros on OO and top tips for database design etc. There are also specific units that I could not
Ah, databases. I still have nightmares about 'normalisation' -- although at KS5, that's not even a glint in the *teacher's* eye let alone the poor sods that have to swallow the information about what databases are. :) What sorts of things were you thinking about? And at what level? Certainly macros in OO I can help with, as can I with any database stuff.
even consider doing well such as programming units. I did a C & G night class in C++ and had a go at teaching myself java but it was all rather poor. I
You mean the Java was poor? :) Well, I can relate to that, having been forced to use it for the last four years. Don't worry the counselling sessions are going great...
suspect TA has forgotten more than I will ever know so perhaps he could toss me a few morsels of material?
Heh, (un)fortunately my memory is such that I tend to remember all the crap that people forget. Can you perhaps list the specifics in more detail of just what it is you're after, and I'll do my best to give you my recommendations. It might take me a few hours to reply, I'm slightly busy on the Uni front, but I'll get back to you nevertheless. Kindly, -- Thomas Adam "The Linux Weekend Mechanic" -- http://linuxgazette.net "TAG Editor" -- http://linuxgazette.net "<shrug> We'll just save up your sins, Thomas, and punish you for all of them at once when you get better. The experience will probably kill you. :)" -- Benjamin A. Okopnik (Linux Gazette Technical Editor) Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
--- Paul Taylor
wrote: Hi all:
Good, err, Morning -
I have started the process of getting ready for September and yet another specification to prerare for. I teach predominantly KS5 which is nice but it does mean quite a lot of work each summer. I have been using Moodle to
And here was me always under the assumption that you teachers disappear abroad each summer. Heck, if not, what were all those "teachers training days" about? :)
but I am thinking about specifics such as macros on OO and top tips for database design etc. There are also specific units that I could not
Ah, databases. I still have nightmares about 'normalisation' -- although at KS5, that's not even a glint in the *teacher's* eye let alone the poor sods that have to swallow the information about what databases are. :)
What sorts of things were you thinking about? And at what level? I have been doing a lot with pre-made PHP/MySQL web site databases so I would
Certainly macros in OO I can help with, as can I with any database stuff.
even consider doing well such as programming units. I did a C & G night class in C++ and had a go at teaching myself java but it was all rather poor. I
You mean the Java was poor? Sadly not, I quite enjoyed it and C++ but after a day of teaching, a 3 hour
On Tuesday 05 April 2005 04:31, Thomas Adam wrote: like to go down that route as it would hit 2 or 3 units of work at one go. I am interested for lower school in trying out the new OO2 database as well. programming class in the evening was the 300kg bale that broke the teacher's back.
:) Well, I can relate to that, having been forced to use it for the last four years. Don't worry the counselling sessions are going great...
suspect TA has forgotten more than I will ever know so perhaps he could toss me a few morsels of material?
Heh, (un)fortunately my memory is such that I tend to remember all the crap that people forget. Can you perhaps list the specifics in more detail of just what it is you're after, and I'll do my best to give you my recommendations.
I can certainly show you the specifications. I don't know yet that I will teach any programming in my own lessons but I would like to have a ready made unit using FLOSS that other people could try. I can put together the requirements and some rudimentary work sheets but would be stuck for ideas as to what to programme (deliberately writing UK form here, sorry purists). I enjoy trying programming tutorials but have no imagination or desire to actually make something so it is hard to relay this to students.
It might take me a few hours to reply, I'm slightly busy on the Uni front, but I'll get back to you nevertheless.
No hurry. I suspect this will be a long-haul project. Thanks in advance for your possible input.
Kindly,
-- Thomas Adam
"The Linux Weekend Mechanic" -- http://linuxgazette.net "TAG Editor" -- http://linuxgazette.net
"<shrug> We'll just save up your sins, Thomas, and punish you for all of them at once when you get better. The experience will probably kill you. :)"
-- Benjamin A. Okopnik (Linux Gazette Technical Editor)
Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
-- De omnibus dubitandum
--- Paul Taylor
I have been doing a lot with pre-made PHP/MySQL web site databases so I would like to go down that route as it would hit 2 or 3 units of work at one go. I
That's very doable -- and something the lecturers are looking to do at University. I was at a commitee meeting before Easter, about ratifying the course subjects we (as in the year I am in) have undertaken thus far. Since at the moment, I concurrently do a unit on "Developing for the Internet" (php/mysql) and "Database Applications and Design" (Oracle) - the lecturers were thinking of having a concurrent and unified theme between the two units. So in the same way, what you could do, is introduce concepts in one unit that then trails through to the other -- not necessarily in terms of assignments, or work to undertake, but introducing key concepts by way of an evolving case-study is one such idea. You're no doubt aware of it already, but on the php/mysql front, there's "phpmyadmin" as a web-bsaed frontend to allow access to a database.
am interested for lower school in trying out the new OO2 database as well.
It does look very promising, indeed.
Sadly not, I quite enjoyed it and C++ but after a day of teaching, a 3 hour programming class in the evening was the 300kg bale that broke the teacher's back.
Yes -- programming as a subject can be very... intense, and to do it in the evening is suicide. Full credit to you for sticking it out for as long as you did. I find it hard enough doing it day in day out. But then I *love* it, so that helps. :) I'm not privvy to the mandatory units (or parts of units) that have to be undertaken by pupils of KS5 level. Does there have to be some sort of programming aspect to a course such as this? Canonically, the use of VB has always been flaunted, but VB sucks (I've ranted about the applicability of this to Education and future employment before on this list). If you can make it web-oriented, use php/mysql and off you go. You've then killed two birds with one stone, almost.
I can certainly show you the specifications. I don't know yet that I will teach any programming in my own lessons but I would like to have a ready made unit using FLOSS that other people could try. I can put together the
As I said, I can certainly help, but I am no teacher...
I enjoy trying programming tutorials but have no imagination or desire to actually make something so it is hard to relay this to students.
It's debatable as to whether programming is an art-form or not. The angle my studies approach it from is one of design, so most of my efforts are concentrated drawing boxes, arrows and lines, with the occasional stickman for good measure. The actual "coding" is a by-product then of the design. So as far as imagination goes, I must have a pretty good one to actually design a piece of software in the first place [1]. I have often quipped with the amount of diagrams I draw, I'll host my dissertation in the Tate Modern... -- Thomas Adam [1] That's my excuse, anyway... :) "The Linux Weekend Mechanic" -- http://linuxgazette.net "TAG Editor" -- http://linuxgazette.net "<shrug> We'll just save up your sins, Thomas, and punish you for all of them at once when you get better. The experience will probably kill you. :)" -- Benjamin A. Okopnik (Linux Gazette Technical Editor) Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
participants (2)
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Paul Taylor
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Thomas Adam