Introduction

What is this blog about ?

It is for producing a curriculum for the students:

Location : Kerala, India

Subject : Information Technology, Computer Science

Classes: 1rst – 12th.

The curriculum would be designed by the Society mainly with the collaboration and coordination of the “Swathanthra Software Community”

Who has initiated this activity ?

Indian Libre User Group, Cochin

Who is the primary contact ?

The author of this blog

What is the plan and roadmap ?

• Study existing curriculum
• Create a set of objectives to be achieved through teaching IT/CS to students
• Plan a strategy for the defining the skill sets needed to developed in the students
• Design a curriculum based on the SkillSets
• Design a syllabus that gives students Freedom to use, learn, share and collaborate .
• Produce textbooks under Free Documentation Licenses

When do you expect to reach the final step ?

March 2010

Who else will be involved apart from the Free Software Community ?

Teachers, Scholars, Professors, Principals, Educationalists, Scientists, Psyschologists, Parents

and of course students.

There are lot of Open Educational Content and Similar Movements such as this ?

Yes there are, Few notable ones from my opinion are

Wikiversity

WikiEducator

Open Educational Resources

MIT Open Course Ware

GNU/Linux for CBSE

Our aim is to blend the best suitable syllabus and content for our culture and our students in this part of the world, to

develop technology for our country and the entire mankind.

What can I do ?

We can collaborate on this blog, send me a mail.

IT Text Book Revision Meeting – ( Ernakulam District )

Where	Artist , Edapally , Kochi
When	13th August 2009 , 10 am – 5pm
Who	Teachers, Master Trainers, IT Coordinators, Swathanthra Software Communtiy Members, Educationalists
What	Revision of 8th, 9th and 10th Standard text books for the educational year 2010

• ILUG Cochin was represented by Harikrishnan, Sanal Kumar, Sameer, Sreenadh and Jay Jacob.
• The session began by the programme coordinator explaining the aim of the meeting and other guests explaining their opinion on the IT Education scenario and text books.
• I talked about the Community based curriculum initiative and also of the importance of teaching Computer Science to students.
• After the conclusion of the first part, lunch was served.
• In the afternoon session, the participants were divided into groups of three for each class ( 8th, 9th and 10th Standard.)
• I was in the group discussing revisions to the 10th Standard text book.
• The main objectives of the group was to find the shortcomings of the present book and to provide suggestions from revisions.
• The people involved in the group were basically from the following backgrounds and/or designations.
  • High School Teachers in various subjects
  • IT Coordinators
  • Media Educationalists
  • Higher Secondary Teacher
  • Freelance Programmers and Administrators
• ILUG Cochin was represented by Sameer and Harikrishnan in the 10th Standard Group and by Jay Jacob and Sreenadh in the 9th Standard Group.
• Some important points from the discussion among the group.
• IT Enabled Education is important but the need of the hour is Computer Science.
• For this to happen, IT should become a subject.
• Majority Teachers teaching other subjects handle IT for the sake of teaching
• They do not have any monetary benefits.
• They are not given appropriate training.
• Lack of resources- Teachers are not even aware of handbooks published by SCERT. With the help of these, the teachers will be able to handle classes much more effectively.
• Recommendations from this meeting mostly will go into trash and will never reach SCERT.
• After completing 10th Standard students move into 3 career paths : Science StreamCommerce StreamHumanities
• Hence we need to make the syllabus designed in a manner that is apt so that students are well equipped in either career path they select.
• In Science stream logical thinking and problem solving should be made a part of the curriculum for 10th Standard.
• This will help the students to learn programming languages better during their 11th and 12th Standards.
• Reptition in syllabus is one very important disadvantage for 8,9,10th textbooks.
• The tools like Openoffice and gimp that are introduced in each class progressively. Instead these tools should be completely taught at the 8th Standard entirely and the 10th standard must be utilized to teach more of programming logic, problem solving etc..
• Basic and HTML are being taught in 10th Standard but they are not taught effectively. One reason is the lack of importance in the curriculum and second is the lack of knowledge among the teachers.
• Basic and Html along with more chapters that deal with basics on the principles of programming language must be included in the syllabus.
• Collaborative learning has taken a back seat in the entire educational system, the new text books must make sure that there are sufficient ways for students to collaborate and learn.
• This mode of collaborative learning should be done in cooperation with the Swathanthra Software Community and another contributors from the field of IT and Computer Science.
• Philosophy of Free Software, Evolution and use of Technology and the Ill Effects of Technology need to be introduced from the earlier classes(5,6,7th classes).
• Students need to possess searching skills on the Internet, these enable them to make the best of online and offline resources for their day to day activities.
• Students face language problems and hence must possess linguistic capabilities (mainly English) to help them effectively learn the tools and the science behind it.
• This can be achieved only by students themselves.
• Students must be given more freedom in computer labs
• With more freedom they will be able to explore the possibilities of Internet
• Students must be provided with assignments and exercises to study topics ( eg : History of Swine Flu ) from the Internet. This will help them gain skills to explore and collaborate.
• Teachers should be proactive in collecting material for the IT syllabus. They must collect material from the Internet.
• Correlation with other Subjects
• Each subject should have sections explaining how Computers can be used for learning them.
• IT Enabled education material, like Videos of simulations must be displayed to children.
• Correlation must have a solid framework.
• Text Book Authors Selection
• Panel must include teachers, parents, educationalists, reformers.
• Teachers who teach other subject, apart from IT must be involved in the text book creation procedure.
• Technology for livelihood
• Students must be given glimpses on how survival can be attained through learning technology.
• This not only applies to IT, but to all subjects.
• eg: How GIMP can be used as a design tool to make a living.
• Students must be made to exihibit(upload) their contributions to the outside world(Internet).
• This bring them in touch with the society and/or Internet ( Free Software Communtiy )
• This will lead to them becoming Contributors of technology even at the micro level.
• Will instill confidence and most importance Interest in the subject
• Communication (Personal as well Online) must be given prime importance.
• Communication skills are primary in IT and hence they must be developed through group activities and through the usage of the Internet.

The discussion talked about the need for collaboration while developing the curriculum, especially through the Internet.

Finally all the points discussed above where presented finally by Sanal Kumar from the group

I introduced theCommunity Based Curriculum initiative to the audience explaining how the initiative can be practical.

I also talked about creating online text books, or technical content through collaboration.

Many from the audience understood the importance of a dynamic curriculum, as well as the need for a collaborative approach in the society for the creation of a Curriculum, Syllabus and Text Books

Jay Jacob from ILUG Cochin also spoke about the need for Cyber Safety based content in the curriculum. He explained the growing importance of awareness of Cyber Crimes among children.

Summary of a syllabus

1. Man and his evolution through inventions such as fire, wheel.
2. Machines
   1. Why Machines
   2. Machine’s society’s creation
   3. Difference between man and machine
   4. How technology arises from man’s need- A modern approach
   5. Generations of technology from “stone age”
   6. Technology for the society ( Social aspects )
   7. Mechanical Machines (With some examples)
   8. Electrical(Analog) Machines ( With example )
   9. Electronics (Digital) machines
   10. Characteristics of a machine – Automation, Speed, Intelligence, Storage
3. Controlling the Machines
1. Man controls/ interacts with machines
2. Controlling Mechanical machines
3. Controlling Eletrical/ Electronic Devices
4. Concept of Electric Current – Controlling with Electric Current(ON/OFF)
4. Controlling machines with Electric Current
5. LED Seven Segment Display
6. Displaying numbers using seven wires
7. Logic behind display and electric current
8. Expanding/ Scaling the seven segment to several modules.
9. Language of the machines
10. Mechanical / Electrical Machines
11. Electronic Devices
12. Electric Current and Binary language
13. Binary System and Storage
14. Controlling a machine/device with a binary input
15. Processing a Binary Language
16. Stepper Motor as an example
17. Human Languages and Machine Language
18. High Level Languages
19. Converting HLL to Binary
20. Machines are Intelligent
21. Intelligence to interpret a language
22. Concept of a Processor/ Controller
23. Concept of a transistor
24. Commands to a processor
25. A program as sequence of commands
26. Algorithms
27. Flowcharts
28. Machines solve problems
29. Mechanical Machines
30. Electrical/ Electronic machines
31. Programming the machines
32. Command/ Response Model
33. Abstract Program to solve a problem
34. Layered Concept of a Machine/ Technology
    8.1 Circuit/ Chips/ IC
    8.2 Firmware
    8.3 Low level Software/ Kernel/ Device drivers
    8.4 Application programs
    8.4.1 Libraries
    8.4.2 Shell/ GUI
    8.4.3 User Applications

    8. Components of a machine.
    8.1 Physical Parts
    8.1.1 Hardware
    8.1.2 Input Device
    8.1.3 Output Device
    8.1.4 Processing Device
    8.1.5 Storage Device
    8.1.6 Memory and Cache Device
    8.2 Non Physical parts
    8.2.1 Firmware
    8.2.2 Software

    9. Software
    9.1 Software Lifecycle
    9.1.2 Idea
    9.1.3 Algorithm/ or Sequence of steps
    9.1.4 Modularization ( Modelling as objects ) , Fragmentation
    9.1.5 Design
    9.1.6 Coding
    9.1.7 Integration
    9.1.8 Testing
    9.1.9 Writing Documentation
    9.1.10 Packaging

    10. Operating Systems
    10.1 Function/ Importance of Operating System
    10.2 Components of Operating System
    10.3 Operating Systems for Human Beings

    11. Information Processing
    11.1 Role of machines in Information Processing.
    11.2 Too Much Information, what to do ?
    11.3 Memory and Storage
    11.4 Information Retrieval
    11.5 Information Protection
    11.7 Encoding/ Decoding of Information

    12. Personal Computer
    12.1 Another Machine
    12.2 Historical Significance of PC
    12.3 Change of role during these years
    12.4 Complex role of PC today
    12.5 Concept of a PC
    12.6 Laptop/Netbook/PDA/Smart Phone/Cell Phone
    12.7 Architecture of a PC
    12.8 Components (Hardware, Software, Firmware)
    12.9 Setting up a PC
    12.10 Infinite possibilities

    13. Application of the personal Computer
    13.1

    14. Communication
    14.1 Communication in the early days
    14.2 Mechanical/ Electrical means of communication
    14.3 Analog Communication Technologies
    14.4 Digital Communication
    14.5 Electricity for communication
    14.6 Telephone
    14.7 Telegraph
    14.8 Ethernet
    14.9 LAN
    14.10 Internet
    14.11 Modem, Router, Hub, Switch ( Digital PC communication devices)
    14.12 Analog and Digital Communication Protocols
    < Incomplete and not precise, needs improvement)

    15. We and Technology in Society
    15.1 Learn the principles
    15.2 Understand the social consequences( Freedom of all)
    15.3 Think of the problems we face daily
    15.4 Write an idea on how we can solve using technology/machines
    15.5 Draw a diagram
    15.6 Create design, flowcharts and algorithms
    15.7 How to realize the technology
    15.7.1 What hardware we need
    15.7.2 What firmware and software we need
    15.7.3 Integrate all together and create a model.

    16. Freedom for Mankind
    16.1 How technology belongs to society
    16.2 How it is passed on across generations
    16.3 How it evolves
    16.4 How people earn money with technology
    16.5 How they contribute to society
    16.6 How many of our common technologies we use and created by the society and used by them
    16.7 What are the ill effects if one hoards knowledge
    16.8 Swathanthra Software is a social movement
    16.8.1 Basic Freedoms
    16.8.2 GNU Movement
    16.8.3 History
    16.8.4 Free Software Foundation
    16.8.5 How GNU/Linux came into existence
    16.8.6 How Free Software is different from Open Source
    16.8.7 Free Software Operating Systems
    16.8.8 Impact of Free Software on society in the last century
    16.9 How can we contribute to society through technology
    16.10 How can we be part of the Free Software Movement
    16.10.1 Use Free Software
    16.10.2 Learn the usage of any application that you use daily.
    16.10.3 Send any bugs ( defects in software) to the Maintainer
    16.10.4 Write Documentation
    16.10.5 Take classes on the application in your school and outside and teach it to others.

    16.11 Free Software User Groups
    16.12 How we can make a group in our school
    16.13 Impact of Free Software in other fields ( Wikipedia, Creative Commons)
    16.14 How we can live by making money with Free Software
    16.15 What is our aim to live in a Free World.

    ===END===

Approach of teaching Computer Science to High School Students

• The approach of teaching computer science to students should be based on the concept of machines, society, technology and survival.
• We must start by talking about the basic evolution of man through inventions and discoveries. We must explain to the students simple mechanical machines/ devices and bring about in them an idea of an electrical or electronic device(analog and digital devices), this would make them think in a abstract and layered approach.
• We continue by explaining how humans interact with the machines and the concept of Input/ Output and storage, memory and intelligence. We talk about the basic electrical principle of carrying current through a wire and introduce them to
  the states of an electrical/electronic device. From this we go ahead to explain a simple seven segment LED display and explain the concept of Input/Output and processing. By fiddling or playing with the seven segment display students can get to learn the binary system and try to vary the inputs and study outputs.
• We take them into the world of controllers or Chips and transistors, and derive an abstract view of the processor from the LED Display. This would enable us to talk about the language of the machines.
• Even at this stage we spend time in comparing the mechanical systems that we use in daily life. We explain how the controllers interpret the electrical signals to make decisions and explain how to command the controller using a basic binary code language we then explain how higher level languages are required to see that we can talk conveniently. We explain an abstract command response or request response model and write a program that would use this model to work.
• We the move onto complex machines using a layered model approach for complex computing systems. This would be useful while explaining personal computers. We explain the layered model of few mechanical systems and move onto explain the hardware/firmware / software layered model for a computing device.
• We delve into hardware and talk about physical components that may/may not possess intelligence. We explain with layers how they are connected with each other and how communication between the different types of hardware occurs. This
  we explain based on the foundation of our concept of electrical current.
• We then move into the concept of software/firmware which are designed/written by human beings collboratively and improved upon . We describe software as ideas and information. Here we explain some little bit of firmware that is builtin with the hardware.
• We move into the concept of Operating Systems as a group of programs that is used to run complex computing systems. We descirbe a layered approach to the OS as well.
• We next talk about one very important purpose of computing devices which is information processing . Building on top of the mechanical and electrical (analog) devices, we explain how a bit represents a electrical charge and bits are depicted in hardware through gates which are basically transistors.We give an abstract model here.
• We talk about data processing and manipulation and how a layered approach of information in a computing system applies. We talk about data security . The concept of memory and storage will be explained. Encoding/Decoding concepts and how freedom to encode and decode will also be detailed.
• We come to the personal computer . In the changing scenario of devices, we talk of the concept of PC and explain again with the example of mechanical devices (combination of several devices ) to simulate a complex computing device as a PC, the layered approach of technology is also explained here.
• We explain the different components in an abstract fashion as to an I/O device or storage. We talk of the other devices(PDA, Netbook, Mobile Phones) all in the level of a machine/device that is based on the common framework and that which serves different purposes and provides different kinds of conveniences, we emphasize the importance of Freedom in here.
• We then use our concepts to build a complete PC and install and OS onto it by explaining the role of an OS and also the infinite applications of a PC.As the present textbook already teaches the various applications that a PC can be put into.
• We touch upon the subject of communications and talk how electrical pulses are used to convey information in either way. We draw a small layered diagram for communication between two machines and explain the role of a protocol in communication. Important services offered by the Server Machines maybe briefly explained (like the web server and the mail server etc..).

Vision for teaching IT to the new generation

Vision

• IT Education should ensure that the students have the knowledge of using devices and applications in the appropriate manner effectively for their progress but understanding the internal working and science.
• The emphasis should be on problem solving. For this the need would be learn the underlying principles, the social issues and to effectively determine a solution with the technology in hand. Learning existing applications is only one aspect.
• Students also need to be aware of their roles and responsibilities most importantly their freedom in the field of computer science, for this to happen they must understand how technology evolved over the years and how the society contributed to finding solutions for mankind.
• For themselves to find solutions they must possess information handling and processing skills as well the ability to visualize the technology at the core level and to find a solution using it. They must also be aware of data security when several of our government systems are switching over to automated systems. They must also know of the threats that exist while using technologies.

IT Education should not be such as to make students consumers of certain products and later brand ambassadors, they should be able to :

• Understand and live with the technology in freedom.
• study it in depth rather than just use it.
• Share the knowledge the have acquired to become shining lights that pass that enlighten the society.
• Collaborate to create new technologies and to innovate.

IT Education should be designed in such a manner that students collaborate over the whole of the year and learn things together so that they find support and confidence. The collaborative model is one thing which we cannot avoid and hence must implement it through group work, projects, seminars, demonstrations etc.
in a regular manner.

IT Education if it is capable of giving such skills to the students will surely make them able citizens to excel in any field of endeavour, not just computer science.

Q&A on Recommendations on IT as Computer science for students

1. Why IT should be taught as a science and not as a teaching aid ?

   The entire educational system or education in general is based on learning
   the theory and principles of nature, mankind and the universe.
   In the field of technology this also been the norm for many fields of science.

   • The innovations and inventions that happen in the field of Computer Science
     is only throught the study of the theory and the principles and methodologies
     behind it. Basically the field of computer science has deep roots in mathematics and several other fields of sciences. Students who learn mathematics and other subjects anre destined to learn other technologies or sciences that are based on it (computer science / opto electronics/ bio informatics etc.. ).

     But if we consider the field of computer science it has influenced our lives somuch that learning the core aspects of it becomes our top priority. The field of Communication has also become a very important part of our day to day lives that moving forward without learning the basics of communication technologies will also be difficult.

   • IT Enabled Education or learning the application of IT in various fields can be achieved most easily if one learns the principles of computer science.Reasearch and Inventions in the field of computer science have taken place mostly in universities and research centres, the first step to which have been schools. IT Enabled education only lets us form a part of the field of technology, or rather a user of the application.

2. Will students be able to grasp the fundamentals and theory of computer science ?
   If students are able to solve quadratic equations, find similarities between geometrical figures and plot graphs based on raw data, then the study of computer science would be just as easy for them.
3. How will Free Software be applicable in this new approach ?
   Free Software gives us the freedom to use, learn, share and modify the technology behind the different applications. We can say that the biggest innovation in the last century has indeed been Free Software, a revolution of a kindwhere every knowledge belongs to the society. The science of Software is available to students to learn.Students can learn a lot in computer science than in other subjects because of the Freedoms and the Free Software Community. The learning of this new science also allows them to develop an innovate. As mentioned, since Computer Science and Communication Technology are getting closer to our lives we need the Freedom to use, share and modify it. Indeed Free Software would be the ideal choice for this approach of learning this science. We can see this from the 1970′s onwards when the core technologies in the field of software have always been available to the society.
4. How can we update ourselves if we switch over to this new approach ?
   The field of Computer Science unlike other fields is very dynamic mainly because of its influence in other fields. But of course, we know that the fundamental principles and ideals would never change. The solution is to make available the basic fundamentals and principles in the textbook and depend onthe Internet and Free Software Community for the update. We should have the Free Software community to maintain the syllabus for this subject of Computer Science just like the Free Software Community maintains all the software for our day to day use.