ELDER Project

The Story

From October 6^th to October 8^th, I had the great privilege of flying to Pikangikum to install ELDER software and let teachers and students try it out! It was my first time on Wasaya Air, and I had a magical experience with the view from the air:

In the school, I installed Edubuntu 10.04 (dual boot, so you could choose to return to Windows upon restarting the computer) on ten computers in the computer lab, so that students and teachers could experience the difference between Windows and an Ubuntu platform. Thanks to Paul’s grade 10 computer class, they tested it out and I was amazed on how quickly the students began to explore and ask questions! I gave a short introduction about the software to Paul, and he was very pleased to have such an extensive resource to use, especially with little or no internet (256K) – so much that he wanted it on all the computers in the lab!

One other thing that I would have liked to bring to Pikangikum were my fully developed Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) that allows students to have their own operating system, filled with useful programs, on a usb stick! Paul was using an USB stick to individually save student work, a process that took almost 15 minutes of valuable class time. Internet was very very slow, so a student sending the work to themselves was not an option. There was also the added risk of accidentally deleting the work on the USB, never being able to recover it. With the VLE, students can save their own work and bring back home educational software, not just files that they can use to help with their homework!

After noticing that there were a few computers that supposedly didn’t work, Jesse Fiddler and I set out to diagnosis and salvage. We managed to put one back together that was stable, and installed QIMO, the Linux distribution aimed for grades Kindergarten to grade 4. We placed it in Robin’s grade 2 class, with absolutely fantastic results! It was hooked up to the Smart board, and all the kids were so interested and engaged in the activities that QIMO had to offer. Watch the video to see it in action!

Overall, I am pleased and incredibly thankful to the staff and kids at Eenchokay Birchstick School who were willing to try out the ELDER project, and that they have made ELDER as successful as it is. From this trip, I learned a couple of things that will definitely benefit ELDER projects in the future:

· Most schools have a server: and what a great opportunity to develop and test the Linux Terminal Server Project! Using an old server to let every computer in the lab have edubuntu is something that must be explored. Installing Edubuntu manually took quite a long time, and the server setup could potentially use older computer parts to run edubuntu for more students!

· We need a manual! Resources need to be created, like quick video tutorials, providing software information, and how-tos will make implementation and use easier for teachers and students. This can be compiled on a USB because of the file size and slower internet services, and sent by postal to schools in the different communities.

· Document the subject area: many teachers were curious which programs were useful for particular subject areas. When the program descriptions are complete, a subject list needs to be created.

· Repairing older computers to run Linux: Linux runs great on older computers, and one section of ELDER can be dedicated to repairing old school computers to run Linux distributions for classrooms. More computers, more Linux, and more learning!

· Give Presentations! Give 20 minute presentations, allow teachers to test out the software, hand out brochures and invite people to visit the site and contribute!