[CCC-FSFTN] Fwd: Re: Let's Start

Venkatesh Thennarasan venkatesh.thennarasan at gmail.com
Thu Apr 14 20:59:33 IST 2016 

*Communnity Computing Center-Theni*

*Background:*

*https://discuss.fsftn.org/t/tamil-educational-software-packages-for-children/650*
<https://discuss.fsftn.org/t/tamil-educational-software-packages-for-children/650>

Based on this request, Prasanth and Venkatesh went to Theni district to
study the requirements, infrastructure and feasibility of the project.

*Site report*

We visited two schools in the area. One of the schools was in Rayappanpatti
village and the other was in Gokilapuram village.

*Rayappanpatti Village*

The schoool in Rayappanpatti is a government aided private Board High
school (with 3500 students from 6th to 12th). Most of the students are from
very poor backgrounds. They have a lab with around 25 computers all of
which run Windows XP.

We had a discusson with the computer teachers of the school. From class VI,
students are allowed to come to the computer lab. However, in the absence
of any syllabus, they are mainly taught Paint and the MS Office suite. The
teachers said they gave up on ide of teaching C language to 9th graders,
since Turbo C couldn't be installed

We also had a discusson with the correspondent. He gave us a free hand to
do anything we like with respect to computer education till class VIII. He
was also keen on introducing the education of other subjects through
digital methods (like IT at school in Kerala) as and when we could implement.

*Gokilapuram Village*

Gokilapuram has a small school run by the Harijan Seva Sangh. There are 55
students stuudying there from classes I-VIII. They don't have a computer
there. The trust who took us to these villages is planning to buy them a
couple of desktops. Since they also don't have a syllabus, they are open to
any ideas we give them.

Medium of education in both these schools is Tamil.

*What we can do*

The idea of this Initiative is to introduce Free and Open source software
to school childern through their curriculum, and to do so at a stage when
they are first exposed to computers.

This can first be through defining a computer science syllabus for them.
Later, after students get used to it, we can look at the idea of bringing
in educational packages for all subjects.

Initially, it would be wise to take up just class VI and define a syllabus
and give them the tools for that and as that batch progresses, we can give
them more options in the future years. This also helpos us evaluate and
enhance the syllabus and prepare a more elaborate one for the next year.



Ideally, we can create a distro which can, to start with, have the
following tools



*Sl. NO.*

*Tool Name*

*Properaitery tool alterntive*

*Type*

1

mPaint

MS Paint

Paint application

2

LibreDraw

MS visio/CorelDraw

Vector Graphics editor

3

LibreWriter

Msword

Document Writer

4

Gedit

Notepad

Text Editor

5

LibreImpress

MS Powerpoint

Presentation

6

Tamil99

None

Keybord Layout

7

HTML

NONE

Hypertext markup







We can also add whatever educational packages we can localise. But in
addition to this, we need to define a proper syllabus for class VI. For
this, we could take a look at CBSE syallbus and maybe provide a series of
directions.



Advantages of taking this up

1) We have a full freedom to do whatever we wish in this school. This may
be more difficult in a place like Chennai

2) The school has decent infrastructure and a friendly administration

3) The target audience reflects our mission as a social organisation



Disadvantages:

1) Distance!

There is a solution for this. There is a college nearby where computer
science courses are offered. The same people who took us to the village
have contacts with that college and spoke to the college management. The
management would also like to meet us. If we can set up a GLUG there, they
can take this forward instead of someone from Chennai having to go.

Similarly, volunteers from Tiruchi can also reach the place more easily.
So, we should bring them into the loop too



Task ahead

1) Define a syllabus for class VI students which the computer teachers can
take

2) Create a light-wight distro for the school



*DONE Others can share their views*



*CBSE SYLLABUS*

*http://kvmzu.org/kvmzu%20split%20up%20syllabus/computer%20syllabus.pdf
<http://kvmzu.org/kvmzu%20split%20up%20syllabus/computer%20syllabus.pdf>*

*http://www.kvanantnag.org/admin/downloads/1557282077computer.doc
<http://www.kvanantnag.org/admin/downloads/1557282077computer.doc>*

On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 8:57 PM, Venkatesh Thennarasan <
venkatesh.thennarasan at gmail.com> wrote:

> what contents
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 14, 2016 at 8:36 PM, sibi kanagaraj <sibi at fsftn.org> wrote:
>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: "sibi kanagaraj" <civil.sibi1 at gmail.com>
>> Date: Apr 14, 2016 8:34 PM
>> Subject: Re: [CCC-FSFTN] Let's Start
>> To: "Mailing list for Community Computing Center" <ccc at fsftn.org>
>> Cc:
>>
>> Please paste the contents here
>> On Apr 14, 2016 8:26 PM, "Venkatesh Thennarasan" <
>> venkatesh.thennarasan at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Report on Theni Visit.Please share your views
>>>
>>>
>>> https://oasis.sandstorm.io/shared/JMawFuSY8OoJXuGxjubPbdBKpkZitkw1ApZc6f9gaEH
>>>
>>> On Thu, Apr 7, 2016 at 8:50 AM, Devakumar Murugan <
>>> devakumar.mj at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> @prasanth let us know if any help need from or side but today I can't
>>>> come and once again contact Chennai person soon We will plan in Chennai.
>>>> On Apr 5, 2016 8:56 PM, "Venkatesh Thennarasan" <
>>>> venkatesh.thennarasan at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> i can come to theni awesome
>>>> \
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 7:28 PM, Prasanth Radhakrishnan <
>>>> prasanth1584 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> @deva
>>>>> This meeting has to happen on Friday because they had fixed it in
>>>>> advance even before we were in the picture. From the next time, we can
>>>>> suggest the dates according to our convenience.
>>>>>
>>>>> @Balaji
>>>>> Yes. That has to be our plan. Part of the reason we are going this
>>>>> week is also to interact with them regarding their requirements and the
>>>>> kind of facilities/infra they have. Once we are clear on that, we can
>>>>> create the distro
>>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 10:39 AM, Balaji Ravichandran <
>>>>> rbalajives at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> First we need to be sure on the list of required packages used by
>>>>>> students then the next step would be to create a custom distro woth those
>>>>>> packages and installiung it wherever we want it to be.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We already have a thread on discuss,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://discuss.fsftn.org/t/tamil-educational-software-packages-for-children/650
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://discuss.fsftn.org/t/need-help-to-list-out-available-free-software-for-desktop-platform-like-linux-windows-and-macintosh/563
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 5 April 2016 at 08:58, Devakumar Murugan <devakumar.mj at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Great... But Friday we have work if it is sat and Sunday like if we
>>>>>>> leaving here by Friday evng then I can join with you
>>>>>>> On Apr 4, 2016 11:41 PM, "Prasanth Radhakrishnan" <
>>>>>>> prasanth1584 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Some updates
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 1) Regarding CCC in Chennai, our contact has been busy for a couple
>>>>>>>> of days. He has said he will get back this week for confirmation of when we
>>>>>>>> can visit him.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 2) Some of you might remember this thread on discuss
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> https://discuss.fsftn.org/t/tamil-educational-software-packages-for-children/650
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> A school in Theni has asked our help to install educational
>>>>>>>> packages for children. They have asked if we can go there this Friday (we
>>>>>>>> leave on Thursday evening). The aim of the trip is to have a quick meeting
>>>>>>>> with the school administration and the students (if possible, we can have a
>>>>>>>> brief session with them too. Through this, we can gain a understanding of
>>>>>>>> requirements of the school and students.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> After this trip, we may need to go one or two more times to install
>>>>>>>> packages, help students out etc,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'll be going. And, we need two more volunteers. Who's up for
>>>>>>>> travelling :) ?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Prasanth
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Tue, Mar 29, 2016 at 12:53 PM, Prasanth Radhakrishnan <
>>>>>>>> prasanth1584 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Will confirm this today
>>>>>>>>> On 28 Mar 2016 7:49 p.m., "Venkatesh Thennarasan" <
>>>>>>>>> venkatesh.thennarasan at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> take me when you go
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 2:35 PM, Balaji Ravichandran <
>>>>>>>>>> rbalajives at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Prashant,
>>>>>>>>>>> Can we go by this Friday?
>>>>>>>>>>> Are you Free?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On 28 March 2016 at 13:39, Alagunambi Welkin <
>>>>>>>>>>> alagunambiwelkin at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Admins, please remove me from this group immediately. Its
>>>>>>>>>>>> irritating to see mails from core members.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 1:32 PM, Prasanth Radhakrishnan <
>>>>>>>>>>>> prasanth1584 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Awesome. Have spoken to our contact in chennai. He says he's
>>>>>>>>>>>>> identified a site for CCC. Any day this week when 1-2 of you are free, we
>>>>>>>>>>>>> can go and confirm.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Please indicate who all are interested and when.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Cheers
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Prasanth
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 28 Mar 2016 12:42 p.m., "Devakumar Murugan" <
>>>>>>>>>>>>> devakumar.mj at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> very nice :). we will have to plan something for this. At the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> first we planned to have ccc in chennai where we have helped for flood. and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> now we are also planning to have place for rent in viluppuram lets consider
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that too and work on that.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 12:34 PM, Balaji Ravichandran <
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> rbalajives at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.gnu.org/education/edu-cases-india-ambedkar.en.html
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Balaji Ravichandran ( பாலாஜி ) ,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Volunteer at Free Software Foundation - Tamilnadu,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mobile : 9790528505
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My Blog - balogic.wordpress.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Alagunambi Welkin
>>>>>>>>>>>>> <http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>>> Balaji Ravichandran ( பாலாஜி ) ,
>>>>>>>>>>> Volunteer at Free Software Foundation - Tamilnadu,
>>>>>>>>>>> Mobile : 9790528505
>>>>>>>>>>> My Blog - balogic.wordpress.com
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> M267
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Balaji Ravichandran ( பாலாஜி ) ,
>>>>>> Volunteer at Free Software Foundation - Tamilnadu,
>>>>>> Mobile : 9790528505
>>>>>> My Blog - balogic.wordpress.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> M267
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> CCC mailing list
>>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> M267
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> CCC mailing list
>>> CCC at fsftn.org
>>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CCC mailing list
>> CCC at fsftn.org
>> http://fsftn.org/mailman/listinfo/ccc_fsftn.org
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> M267
>



-- 
M267
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://fsftn.org/pipermail/ccc_fsftn.org/attachments/20160414/2cbfc3df/attachment.html>

More information about the CCC mailing list