linuxgeek: [LINUX_Newbies] Re: Teaching next semester

--- In LINUX_Newbies@yahoogroups.com, J <dreadpiratejeff@...> wrote:

> THIS time, I am going to REQUIRE that they all join LINUX_Newbies and
> post questions here as part of their semester grade. Im toying with
> the idea of grading them based on the number of posts, or maybe
> requiring at least 1 or 2 posts per week of substance (not "me too"
> posts).

> I have also found out that I will be required to hand in 3 writing
> assignment samples from each student, so I've got to come up with
> writing assignments. As usual, my dept chair and the lady who
> compiles these assignments, are not Linux people, so their
> suggestions all seem to revolve around religious arguments (Linux vs
> Windows, emacs vs vi, etc). Anyone have some GOOD suggestions for
> small writing projects for my class?

Maybe: "My experience with GNU/Linux since the first day, until today: Pros and Cons".

At least you will know how comfortable they feel using GNU/Linux, they'll all start like newbies, and will end like...end users? or maybe they'll truely like it like the most of us, and will try to learn more, help others or improve the system, write an application, or translate a wiki...

Now just hoping the book they use this
> time is CURRENT, and not 5 years out of date. Last semester's book
> was based on Fedora Core 3, at a time when Fedora 10 was available.

That is a great opportunity to send them home with HOMEWORK !! And this is when Linux_newbies gets into scene. I think, when you have questions, you look for answers, and internet is a great tool (Note: If you want'em to have questions, make them install Gentoo... that's IMPOSSIBLE, even reading the Gentoo Handbook...lol).

When I was in the University, I had to go to the library, and look into the Index Medicus, and see if there was the Journal you want in the Library, and if it was, see if it was avaliable...etc. Medical books don't have the current information, so you have to read the Journals. In that time, internet was via dial-up connection, and conections were slow, and there was not much "free" information in the internet (neither today, but now I have money ;) ). Times change, but the essence is the same.

Like they say: "Don't give'em a fish, teach'em how to catch a fish".