tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26348459258326713742024-02-19T07:36:01.889-08:00GNBA and OLPC in BuraA partnership between a rural primary school in Bura, Kenya and communities in northeastern Massachusetts to create an e-learning centerBurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-34450206820348590402011-07-14T02:59:00.000-07:002011-07-17T02:27:50.711-07:00Site Visit: KibweziYesterday we made a site visit to Kibwezi, (http://olpckibwezi.blogspot.com/, http://burkekibwezipartnership.blogspot.com/), an OLPC deployment from 2009. The sponsors from Burke Church in Virgina are back checking on the progress of their deployment and updating the XOs, so we stopped in.<br />
<br />
Already, the effects of the collaboration have begun:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>We have connected Eric, their computer studies teacher, with Mutungi, our local partner and have begun building the OLPC Kenyan network.</li>
<li>We have learned what Kibwezi finds useful in the XOs, and have reconsidered these features for our own deployment.</li>
<ul><li>In Kibwezi, they are very interested in using Gnome as a way to teach "normal" computer operations.</li>
</ul></ul>We are very excited to see this partnership blossom.Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-30978459435080115662011-07-14T02:06:00.000-07:002011-07-14T02:06:20.420-07:00Teacher Training Session 6: Sugar<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Scenario:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This would be the last training session of our time here. Over the term break, the teachers will continue their training with our Kenyan partners. Instead of focusing on the use of different activities as we have done, for this training session, we focused on general aspects of the Sugar OS and computing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How it went:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(From the trainer):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was at the black board, everyone had a computer in front of them, and Kikonde drifted among the teachers for when they needed help.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I started by inviting everyone to open an activity of their choice, so as to demonstrate using the home button, and the activity button.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I then demonstrated the fact that no matter what activity you were in, you could see a black bar across the top, a grey bar beneath it, and then the rest of the activity on the whole screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I told everyone to open different activities to drive the point home that it didn’t matter which activity you were it would look similar.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This may have been a mistake, as people focused on the activities rather than the topic.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next, I had everyone save the activity through the “activity” tab, and write a custom name. At this point, I explained the confusing idea, that the cursor will look different depending on the function.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Arrow<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Line<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Arrow with spiral thing<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Arrow with plus sign<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hand<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Etc<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This launched into a discussion of how to control the text cursor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Click and drag to highlight<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Use mouse to move text cursor<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Use arrow keys to move text cursor<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“The flashing line in the middle of the text is the focus, and anything you type will be inserted at that line”</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We all then successfully used the journal to resume our activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This turned into a conversation about Disk Space, and using the star buttons to prevent important activities from being deleted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Note: at this point, I realized a flaw in my teaching. I was telling everyone what to do, so I changed my style so I would be asking them much more questions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I reviewed what we learned so far by asking questions. Everyone was on the same page so I moved to group view.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I asked “what do you see”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Some grey XOs<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Some color XOs<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Because not all computers were friends with each other, some were able to see all the XOs, and some only could see a few. I explained that in group view, you could see all your friends whether they were around or not. They wanted to know how to make friends, so I brought them to Neighborhood view.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Neighborhood view: “What do you see?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">XOs<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Circles<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I got the teachers to realize together that everyone saw the same amount of XOs, and we worked out:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Neighborhood view: Everyone who is here.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Group view: all of your friends, whether they are here or not</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We then explored what would happen if one person connected to a different network.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Important lesson in troubleshooting- there are 3 networks and to collaborate you have to be on the same mesh.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After everyone became friends with everyone, we moved to SD cards.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We used the SD cards to learn about searching the journal, deleting from the journal, and sending files from one computer to another.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here, we learned much about the frame as well<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Different activities you have open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Different status<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">§</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Network<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">§</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">SD card in or out<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">§</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Battery<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This was the end of the lesson. This was a very gratifying lesson because:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 58.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When the time was up, I invited offered “I am willing to teach as long as you are willing to stay,” and many teachers stayed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 58.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The teachers were able to walk knowing how to navigate the activities, rather than just how to use the activities.</span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-83938306178151645682011-07-11T13:25:00.000-07:002011-07-11T13:25:03.064-07:00Teacher Session 5: A Project<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Today, we had our second to last training session with the teachers. After just a few days of working with them, we had them do a similar project to what we had the community members do on Saturday. We sent the teachers out with Record, and had them come back to the lab and work with write to make a project.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We are so proud, that after just a few session, the teachers have made so much progress. While just a few sessions ago, they were having difficulty with the mouse, now they are creating productive and exciting documents. Check these out: (All created on the XO in about 1 hour)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJHk6oxDTxs_YpeH9YpWVu7Ep9wS5we1dfok520hTau4JT1CLZikNFq7cbE67BG1DLPotGL7EQJ9kDninAcmvG05A6C3O_YAgxiXW1_qyIOkRS-gH8ChDsFAcrJtBP6NFOs8ycYvNx2A/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+11.08.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJHk6oxDTxs_YpeH9YpWVu7Ep9wS5we1dfok520hTau4JT1CLZikNFq7cbE67BG1DLPotGL7EQJ9kDninAcmvG05A6C3O_YAgxiXW1_qyIOkRS-gH8ChDsFAcrJtBP6NFOs8ycYvNx2A/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+11.08.49+PM.png" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information about the new computer lab.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoI_MoR4dVtXnsx_q9l_psKlTomhomASNNX4Ow7AF9rutxGIV45RPVcrcu4QOIyEj5gL8iR6wpaAAhudKYyQh-q1mDgzUhtByAC0WgomV70PGTuJB7hGLt_PezefA_eEYKRJPn8klz10/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+9.04.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoI_MoR4dVtXnsx_q9l_psKlTomhomASNNX4Ow7AF9rutxGIV45RPVcrcu4QOIyEj5gL8iR6wpaAAhudKYyQh-q1mDgzUhtByAC0WgomV70PGTuJB7hGLt_PezefA_eEYKRJPn8klz10/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+9.04.06+PM.png" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information about the school</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGe1BcQMIvPJoAm_6LeCvegUaIWJNJ7EGbTbhW_3u3wZyPo0OIsp-kWL1KfEnMVcxDao-8aLrsJmTIg9r5j-ztuyflXvGqFqcGNZE8jHkC1QmrZPvm-3q-4undmHOas5u2kt4n5IkN90/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+11.08.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGe1BcQMIvPJoAm_6LeCvegUaIWJNJ7EGbTbhW_3u3wZyPo0OIsp-kWL1KfEnMVcxDao-8aLrsJmTIg9r5j-ztuyflXvGqFqcGNZE8jHkC1QmrZPvm-3q-4undmHOas5u2kt4n5IkN90/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+11.08.38+PM.png" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An important message to children.</td></tr>
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</div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-1213485803138058332011-07-11T10:56:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:56:48.003-07:00Ceremony<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Today, we ceremoniously began the next step of our partnership with Bura Primary School. We officially opened the new computer lab, and the jointly owned computers said hello to their new home. We were honorably joined by Willingtone Ong'ande the new Acting District Education Officer of the Mwatate District, along with Assistant Education Officer and Head of the Mwambirwa Division, Stanley Mwang'ombe, Assistant Education Officer and Head of the Mwatate Division, Raymond Mwalugha, and Dixon Bongoli, the Educational Quality Assurance Officer of the Bura Division.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In addition to these dignitaries and our team, we were joined by the Bura Primary's visionary headmaster Mr. Mwangoo, his deputy headmaster, and excellent team of 10 teachers. Students also joined us, on this historic day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHizE47AwRJynrOF0pF01cPQPzVYirqlvcU3YssOG4e0svtkhyBIwdNiCTzR7uZncj8x5Y33KvdVMiv2sDFsKJeJJLV92lDBA_lBPP9L9pMwdYjAt8EUyKE7kxiI4Ae2sWloHxUP1OGY/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+8.43.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHizE47AwRJynrOF0pF01cPQPzVYirqlvcU3YssOG4e0svtkhyBIwdNiCTzR7uZncj8x5Y33KvdVMiv2sDFsKJeJJLV92lDBA_lBPP9L9pMwdYjAt8EUyKE7kxiI4Ae2sWloHxUP1OGY/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+8.43.03+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDc0JqcnmM0-zSHmdyzaTC4euKmQYhzTKigjSXnfOp9NaJeoYOMQ-qE-0VcqNW43Ual6cTmFSj8VPceOhBPHvl_ObSyKJzND0SsdusRtqX277ygmxqgp6N5WU65Fnpl0IqCqmQ63v1SU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+8.43.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDc0JqcnmM0-zSHmdyzaTC4euKmQYhzTKigjSXnfOp9NaJeoYOMQ-qE-0VcqNW43Ual6cTmFSj8VPceOhBPHvl_ObSyKJzND0SsdusRtqX277ygmxqgp6N5WU65Fnpl0IqCqmQ63v1SU/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+8.43.13+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-31435546092880517512011-07-11T10:01:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:01:54.728-07:00Community Workshop number 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">This weekend, we held another workshop open to the community. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqHk2SFb17U9hIJfjGCl9_F30OIAL8Fb21KIGYGaUsV9awSkPuL5_DaDYoA9ZFYMkh9smwnoBKlQnWF0rdwo0EvHmOojKrjRpWub30Gjr4gQdsKi-Gof-iZu2jvWT5rZ8XFd4ez4TpBQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.50.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqHk2SFb17U9hIJfjGCl9_F30OIAL8Fb21KIGYGaUsV9awSkPuL5_DaDYoA9ZFYMkh9smwnoBKlQnWF0rdwo0EvHmOojKrjRpWub30Gjr4gQdsKi-Gof-iZu2jvWT5rZ8XFd4ez4TpBQ/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.50.22+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">In attendance, we were happy to have Waiganjo, Mutungi, and Samuel, the newest members of our team. Mutungi and Waiganjo come from Kenyatta Secondary School, where Mutungi teaches science and runs the e-learning program, and where Waiganjo teaches English and has involved himself in the e-learning program. Samuel comes from Bura Girls Secondary School, where he runs the e-learning program. These gentleman have agreed to work with the teachers at Bura Primary School, when we are in America. We are very happy to have them on our team.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Knowing that we would have more numbers than our last community workshop, we came up with a plan. As people trickle in, get them started on the record activity. Then, when more came, send them out as a team to document their surroundings. When they were ready, help them turn what they made into some sort of project using Write.xo or Memorize.xo or Paint.xo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">As people did trickle in, this proved to be very successful. Our new team members would help the community members get started on record.xo . One group made this brochure about our location using record.xo and write.xo:<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p5y-V8UBADmv-WyDvBrCXozmUvQoV9WkKC33io2mIDc-Is5IukSd6aR_xUz0ld_Y0eupJtc5p1Ujcff6YEiEmGiGBKKrpyjKyWd907hmJXrQfpwVL0wH9BquJtAWC2S4ght8KLTqzEw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+6.55.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p5y-V8UBADmv-WyDvBrCXozmUvQoV9WkKC33io2mIDc-Is5IukSd6aR_xUz0ld_Y0eupJtc5p1Ujcff6YEiEmGiGBKKrpyjKyWd907hmJXrQfpwVL0wH9BquJtAWC2S4ght8KLTqzEw/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+6.55.56+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Other teams took photos and made memorize.xo activities:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCOr8O0GJD05cUkYK0BNMznvyWlw97f3VkdLnW0IBSbZqmndfi442vTpoQpxa0-ZvtI4oEa7t4yTPwxDB37-lw8ryvHmsjH4zKMhI-ZoI8jGvl0lLYawJKykUpWT-oKnYvc2HbTk24-8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+6.57.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCOr8O0GJD05cUkYK0BNMznvyWlw97f3VkdLnW0IBSbZqmndfi442vTpoQpxa0-ZvtI4oEa7t4yTPwxDB37-lw8ryvHmsjH4zKMhI-ZoI8jGvl0lLYawJKykUpWT-oKnYvc2HbTk24-8/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+6.57.03+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjiBcotVljsfKnaZSh3yeINwGk98zX1yiF2WbbgC39PjIvp8FiWXezOoy096I-O55CAO79FP801FhJbhiXLHN8qiAafP8UlLWUAoJX1B9YOz7GSGb_3BaUPwzIzXDqLvT78W9M4rPtNU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+6.57.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjiBcotVljsfKnaZSh3yeINwGk98zX1yiF2WbbgC39PjIvp8FiWXezOoy096I-O55CAO79FP801FhJbhiXLHN8qiAafP8UlLWUAoJX1B9YOz7GSGb_3BaUPwzIzXDqLvT78W9M4rPtNU/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+6.57.18+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some teams were distracted by some of the many other activities on the XO. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Wikipedia.xo</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;"> was hugely popular, as users were very interested in reading and learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Read.xo</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;"> was hugely popular for the same reasons as Wikipedia. Additionally, we have loaded a book in Kidawida, the local language, and everyone spent a good deal of time reading this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">TuxMath.xo </span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">People were excited to get lost in the space world, and found themselves very happy to work through the math problems in order to shoot down the meteors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">We are able to see that the library benefits of the XOs will be utilized. We will want to find even more books to add to the computers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">We are also reminded, that with creativity implementation, computers make learning fun and addictive. <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment-->Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-48946163798461328932011-07-10T12:47:00.000-07:002011-07-11T13:32:29.961-07:00Teacher Session 4: Basics<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9mgfGEQTfT8d7TVa_3LbPTCdGxBGj365wLWuyyFLcBopltk-XE28OnWt4eEpLJXye5pVvYKJxEAvF1KNvwwJrRop67hYXyrjVcaIIWDNgPAmGaM3kxIjzV4XzHtAbFo_Q27AMITMfoI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+8.11.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9mgfGEQTfT8d7TVa_3LbPTCdGxBGj365wLWuyyFLcBopltk-XE28OnWt4eEpLJXye5pVvYKJxEAvF1KNvwwJrRop67hYXyrjVcaIIWDNgPAmGaM3kxIjzV4XzHtAbFo_Q27AMITMfoI/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-11+at+8.11.38+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaron explains the internet connection</td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">For this lesson, the teachers were surprised that we were not using the computers, rather going over the basics of the responsibilities of owning a computer, that will make the project successful.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Ground Rules:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Food and drink should not be allowed near the computers – preferably no food and drink in computer room.</span></div></blockquote></b><br />
<blockquote>Computers should be completely shut down if user leaves for more than 10 minutes.</blockquote><blockquote>Computers and equipment should be stored in plastic boxes. All should be completely shut down before being stored.</blockquote><blockquote>Computers should not be left in the sun.</blockquote><blockquote>Computers should be unplugged if there is a power outage. </blockquote><blockquote>Computers should not be charged overnight due to possibility of power outage.</blockquote><blockquote>Charging of computers should be monitored by a responsible person.</blockquote><blockquote>User Guide will be stored in computer lab. It is a reference book and should never leave the computer lab.</blockquote><blockquote>Users are encouraged to especially read the section of the User Guide called “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs)</blockquote><blockquote>All computer equipment should be inventoried and tracked.</blockquote><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">After the ground rules, we went over the basics of troubleshooting. We presented our guide to troubleshooting:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><b>If you have a problem:</b></span></span></div><br />
If something does not work, try it again.<br />
If it doesn’t work a second time, don’t be afraid to try clicking different buttons.<br />
Read the Laptop Users Guide<br />
If the computer will not respond, be patient, it could be acting slow.<br />
If the computer refuses to cooperate, try shutting it down and starting it up again.<br />
If you are unable to shut it down, hold down the power button for 7 seconds to force it to shut down. Then start it up again.<br />
If the problem persists, try getting help by:<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>See the User Guide Again<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Contact the local support team<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Visit http://wiki.laptop.org online using the browse activity<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to google.com and research your problem<br />
If nothing works, consider Reflashing the computer<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Finally, we went over how the computer is able to get online, and what it means to be connected to the internet. We had a very hard time explaining what bytes are, and how expensive they can be, and how to judge when your are using too many of them. Kikonde, our Kenyan partner stepped in here, and in Kiswahili, he explained that data was like the airtime on their cell phones, and was drained with use.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Because of the advancements in mobile technology, cell phones are nearly ubiquitous here in Kenya. We have repeatedly gone back to them for analogies with the computer, and to help the teachers understand that they are more familiar with computers than they perhaps thought they were.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-66346916172989713992011-07-10T12:18:00.001-07:002011-07-10T12:18:11.404-07:00Teacher Session 3<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Scenario:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">We were surprised today when we came in to work with the teachers, that they brought students along to learn on the computers. In the room, we had about 5 teachers, and about 15 students.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">How it went:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the very beginning, we set the children up with TuxMath.xo . In one group, of a 5 year old, a 6 year old, and a 12 year old, the 12 year old took control and began playing. The younger children continued to be enthralled indefinitely, however after some time, the older one asked me to access a new activity.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">This interaction helped us identify an important difference in how to approach various new users:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Age 5-8: Are interested in how the computer reacts to what they do in the real world. Maze, Implode, Speak, Record, Paint (though they usually aren’t able to type and get it to talk, the way the eyes follow the cursor is exciting), are activities that allow young children to explore this interaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ages 8+: Are interested in exploiting the interaction between their real life actions and the digital consequences, as a way to manipulate and create. Again, once they have the basic computer interactions, Record, Paint, TuxMath, Memorize, are great activities for them to use their newfound control to make something and learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14.0pt;">The most important lesson of the day was perhaps for the teachers to witness the reaction of the children to the computers, who came at them with much enthusiasm. Unfortunately, because of the students reactions, we weren’t able to spend much time working with the teachers on the ins and outs of sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-89450123074245428102011-07-10T12:12:00.000-07:002011-07-10T12:12:56.905-07:00What our project looks like:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yR-utyszcPa76UKBYApkAGLgRACwHhyHSVp3KV8cKZwwLhcARaSOBj2E3s4_TKpGr0TAGx87t4M2YO5wrA6xLCCGqCe9cHzaNOHxiBfmFJxpOdbshQuTgAhpq_W46gO0A-oGILFVWs4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.50.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yR-utyszcPa76UKBYApkAGLgRACwHhyHSVp3KV8cKZwwLhcARaSOBj2E3s4_TKpGr0TAGx87t4M2YO5wrA6xLCCGqCe9cHzaNOHxiBfmFJxpOdbshQuTgAhpq_W46gO0A-oGILFVWs4/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.50.45+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the community take pictures of the area with the record activity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmGdA68upSUFZPWTQEiEYiIte4vxtthCa1Q8ZhyeJTupexiGbdcMDNkjR_gces9aZ7ThHo-Jb2ai5xN-r4j288oGyMf1sbmA2P36ciw2FNx3nkk_MS5SX7t0hDNk6mS6WvSITYfLB_lE/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.47.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmGdA68upSUFZPWTQEiEYiIte4vxtthCa1Q8ZhyeJTupexiGbdcMDNkjR_gces9aZ7ThHo-Jb2ai5xN-r4j288oGyMf1sbmA2P36ciw2FNx3nkk_MS5SX7t0hDNk6mS6WvSITYfLB_lE/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-10+at+8.47.48+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of boys collaborate on a project.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-72668761336421669132011-07-07T02:07:00.000-07:002011-07-07T02:07:08.797-07:00Call for Solutions:A request we've had over and over:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Is there a way that I can create classroom exercises (much like a course book), share them with everyone in the class, have the kids do the exercises, and send them back to me so I can review them, and give the kids feedback?</blockquote><br />
<b>Share with Neighborhood:</b><br />
<b></b>Using this feature, everyone is editing the same document, and therefore cannot do their own work.<br />
A mischevious student could erase the entire worksheet, and the teacher would not even know who was responsible. <u>Doesn't work</u><br />
<br />
<u></u><b>Send to:</b><br />
<b></b>Using this feature, a teacher is able to send a worksheet out, and have students edit independently. When each student is finished, they can SendTo back to the teacher. In a classroom of 30 however, it is impractical to "Send to" 30 different computers, as there is no way to mass send out. Then, the teacher has to "accept" 30 incoming files, which do not even all fit on the frame. <u>Works, but is not easy or practical</u><br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Does anyone know of an activity that allows for such "workbook" style teaching? Is there an aspect of sugar we have yet to discover that makes a good solution?</span>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-73247427705781103702011-07-07T01:59:00.001-07:002011-07-07T01:59:50.038-07:00Idea for Activity: Mouse ControlWe have found that many people struggle with using the mouse.<br />
<br />
A maze type activity, with only one path, where the user would have to carefully move the mouse along a route from start to finish without bumping the sides would be very helpful for practicing.Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-90665753230459445202011-07-07T01:58:00.000-07:002011-07-07T01:58:34.089-07:00Teacher Session 2<b>Scenario:</b><br />
After the meeting with committees, we had our second workshop with teachers. Unfortunately, not all of the teachers showed up, but we had about half of them.<br />
<br />
<b>How it went:</b><br />
The focus of this workshop was to respond to some teacher requests:<br />
<blockquote>Can we use this computer for assistance with demerit lists?</blockquote><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://activities.sugarlabs.org/es-ES/sugar/addon/4084">SocialCalcActivity.xo</a>: a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel</li>
<ul><li>Benefits:</li>
<ul><li>Intuitive to use like Excel</li>
<li>Spreadsheets exportable for use on Excel (haven't tested)</li>
<li>Powerful program</li>
</ul><li>Problems</li>
<ul><li>Couldn't get latest version (5) to run on XO</li>
<li>Older version (1) is very slow</li>
<li>Graphing doesn't work quite right</li>
</ul><li>We decided SocialCalc is a great program to keep.</li>
</ul></ul><br />
<blockquote>Is there a way for students to do problems and get immediate feedback?</blockquote>We tested a few programs for this:<br />
<br />
<ul><li> <b>Mateton: </b>Program acts like a digital blackboard for students to do math problems.</li>
<ul><li>Problems:</li>
<ul><li>Cannot type numbers, must use cursor to select numbers.</li>
<li>There is no correction / feedback for students, except that it saves their steps so a teacher can look at their progress. Would benefit greatly from a "correct" / "incorrect" feedback feature.</li>
</ul><li>We decided not to use this program.</li>
</ul><li><b>TuxMath: </b>Program is a game where you are a penguin in a spaceship shooting down math equations.</li>
<ul><li>Benefits:</li>
<ul><li>Terrific program for getting kids to want to do math.</li>
<li>Instant feedback on problems.</li>
<li>Simple game mechanics.</li>
<li>Many levels of play.</li>
</ul><li>Problems:</li>
<ul><li>Written in Javascript, does not look like typical sugar activity, so it is confusing.</li>
<li>Multiplayer support is weak, as the second player doesn't go until the first player is done which could be hours. It also is hotseat, and doesn't take advantage of XOs connectivity.</li>
<li>Levels are terms like "space cadet" and "commando" which are not undestood by non-native English speakers.</li>
</ul><li>We decided to keep this program for use.</li>
</ul></ul><br />
<br />
From this workshop, we became concerned for the future of the program. Teachers are beginning to become comfortable with different activities, but they are not yet comfortable with the actual operating system. It has become clear, that we need to more formally teach the aspects of Sugar. Frame, Views, Tabs within activities, etc.<br />
<br />
We let teachers take computers home with them to play on them, and to bring in questions.Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-66407850180182605052011-07-07T01:39:00.000-07:002011-07-07T01:39:41.124-07:00Meeting with School Committees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboZpldN99LK4irSpxJDnFn0LFOj8XrGSXGslpYvkwQ-8UECTLyD014etbeL2EI0mFDFZx4J80nKCV0yVv2fHqVlwJRTyMvGc3CTQ-Ak0DXoeKQtUSlHoZi-rNrbLPAiFdr_Rlp_L30d8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+11.34.17+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboZpldN99LK4irSpxJDnFn0LFOj8XrGSXGslpYvkwQ-8UECTLyD014etbeL2EI0mFDFZx4J80nKCV0yVv2fHqVlwJRTyMvGc3CTQ-Ak0DXoeKQtUSlHoZi-rNrbLPAiFdr_Rlp_L30d8/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-07+at+11.34.17+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Scenario:</b><br />
We met with the the School Management Committee and the School Infrastructure Committee, two committees made up of parents (about 20 people total). As parents and active members of the community, the members of the committees wanted to know what we were up to, and what the computers were. The meeting started with us giving a presentation on their performance, and quickly transitioned into an interactive demonstration as we invited all of the members to play with the computers.<br />
<br />
<b>How it went:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Presentation:</li>
<ul><li>Ted told the story of how exposure to a computer at an early age got his daughter a job high up in an academic department, and launched her career as a succesful researcher and professor.</li>
<li>The Committee members were very responsive to the idea that these computers gave their children a leg up in the future.</li>
</ul><li>Workshop:</li>
<ul><li>Most parents had <b>no</b> experience with computers.</li>
<li>They were hesitant to touch the machines, and to get them to use them required encouragement, though they were fascinated.</li>
<li>I found that their enthusiasm was different than the teachers'. They wanted to see more and more, while the teachers were more cautious. I attribute this to the fact that in the back of their minds, the teachers were thinking that sometime soon, they would need use the computers as a teaching tool, and they were more nervous in their approach.</li>
<li>The headmaster, present at the meeting, found the Kidawida (local language) book we had put on the computer, and read a story out loud to the whole meeting. Immediately after, I had many questions on how to find the book.</li>
</ul></ul><b>Lessons:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Make sure all computers are charged before demos!</li>
<ul><li>Having the computers shut down was very frustrating.</li>
</ul><li>People easily lose track of time when using the computers, and/or are interested to see more and more.</li>
<ul><li>The meeting went well over the time allotted.</li>
</ul><li>For people unaccustomed to mouse control, the mouse often ends up on the edge of the screen. It is incredible frustrating for them to have the frame come on. For beginning users, make sure the frame activation delay is on "Never".</li>
<ul><li>My Settings > Frame > Activation Delay > Slide to the right</li>
</ul></ul>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-84728901821237795822011-07-03T04:26:00.000-07:002011-07-08T02:42:10.159-07:00An Open Workshop In Computers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfrQJ1t8RKbTabufnLPmb5OF-771bHzrS3bC_EInbKA_mV4mNymcPaeakilUVUArOrXaDR04kr0FW6sUo0B_K4Hx1-KK21otjIAgAaMrizu5wy1liWHTe1Zbupzx24JuHl1ch99t62qI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-03+at+2.19.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfrQJ1t8RKbTabufnLPmb5OF-771bHzrS3bC_EInbKA_mV4mNymcPaeakilUVUArOrXaDR04kr0FW6sUo0B_K4Hx1-KK21otjIAgAaMrizu5wy1liWHTe1Zbupzx24JuHl1ch99t62qI/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-03+at+2.19.00+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Our second teaching session was open to people we had met and invited, who were interested in the computer program. In attendance, we had two teachers from a different school who were very excited, only one had any computer experience (very little). We had two university students, both with plenty of exposure to computers, one who is studying them. We had a secondary school student, who also was familiar with computers, and we had another teacher their with her 9 year old son.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">We also had with us, Kikonde, a local we met who we have worked with over the past few days to get him comforatable on the XO’s. He is a university student studying computers, and speaks Kiswahili, Kidawida, and English, just like all the attendees.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">The workshop was very successful, for some of these reasons we established:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Instead of teachers instructed by the head teacher to meet with us, we had only people who were already very interested.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Instead of a presentation from a bunch of Strangers, we had Kikombe on our team. Having him on our team helped connect us to the people we were helping learn about the computers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Instead receiving everyone at once, at this workshop, participants trickled in giving us one on one time with each of them, before helping someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">The day was billed as a “workshop” rather than a presentation. People came ready to get their hands dirty with the computer, rather then just coming to listen to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">We did not connect the computers to the internet, and held the workshop entirely within the realm of Sugar. This limited complications (connecting, explaining concept of internet, navigating confusing web pages, etc)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">With each attendee, we gave them a short demo of the home screen, and of certain activities before inviting them to try everything out on their own. This proved to be an effective method, because the learners gravitated towards the activities they became interested in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Some things we noticed:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Taking the computer outside powerfully demonstrated the mobility of the computers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Though the learners are seemed somewhat confident clicking around exploring, very few read instructions on the screen. GeoQuiz for example has explicit instructions, but we repeatedly had to show learners what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">It would be very helpful to bring along external mice. The trackpad on the XO can be finicky, and is really designed for very small fingers. Some of the activities become greatly enhanced with good control (paint, etc), and all of them become hindered without.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt;">§<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Perhaps paint is not a good one to demo with, because it is hard to draw with the mouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">The session shed some light on a debate we had the night before about educational theory as it relates to the XOs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">School of thought 1: That as intructors, we should focus on activities that are built as standalone lessons. Wikipedia and GeoQuiz, for example are immediately useful to teach specific lessons. For this reason, their use is immediately clear to the classroom teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">School of thought 2: We should demonstrate and teach the basic tools of the XO, as building blocks, and inspire the teachers thinking about all the creative lessons and projects they can build from these tools. Record and Write, for example could be used together to create field reports in the sciences, and vocab lists for languages etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">From the popularity of the Wikipedia activity, and of GeoQuiz, it appeared that at first, the built in lessons can be very useful, and are a great way to get new users comfortable with the usability of the machine. Hopefully, over the next few weeks, we can get comfort levels up, to where teachers really can get creative about lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-48584902278501327452011-07-01T02:28:00.000-07:002011-07-01T02:28:46.669-07:00Call for Swahili BooksAs you saw in an earlier post, we are interested in putting together a library. We thank <a href="http://filceolaire.livejournal.com/">filceolaire</a> for giving us suggestions on where to get public domain ebooks.<br />
<br />
We are particularly interested now in acquiring ones in other languages- specificially Kiswahili. Does anyone know a good place to get foreign language ebooks that are in public domain?<br />
<br />
Respond in comments or to admin@buraprimaryschool.comBurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-80944667511334953452011-07-01T02:14:00.001-07:002011-07-01T02:14:21.243-07:00Teaching The Teachers: Day 1<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We had 7 teachers in attendance, the headmaster of the school, and our Kenyan project partner. The instructional session was in English. This provided some challenges, because although the classes are conducted in English, it is the third language of all the teachers (behind Kidawida or other tribal language, and Kiswahili).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We began by attempting to engage the teachers in a conversation so we could gauge their experience with computers. One had a computer at home that she used for internet browsing (email, facebook, google), and for the Microsoft Office Suite (spreadsheets, word processing). She also had spent some time with the XO machines that were left earlier. The rest of the teachers had no computer experience, or were not willing to talk about it. The conversation did not get going until we put the machines in front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We began by demonstrating google. We asked the teachers for a topic they wanted to know more about, and by googling “bantus in Uganda.” They were excited to see that information came up, and we explained google by explaining:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“people all over the world are writing books about all sorts of topics. They put the books on the internet, and google is an assistant that will help you find the books that people write.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next we demonstrated the offline Wikipedia activity on XO (wikipediaEN.xo). We pulled up some articles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A problem we encountered for both of these activities was the size of the text. We had to zoom in, but the process of having to enlarge the text took away focus, and patience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next, we broke into groups. Aaron helped one teacher set up an email address, by creating a yahoo account. Filling out the form presented many problems for a first time computer user:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Concept of traversing form box by box was novel.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Arrow shaped cursor, when hovering on box becomes text style cursor, confusing.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Dropdown menus look mostly like input boxes, difficult.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Scrolling down the page took precise cursor control AND new idea of holding control button while moving cursor a challenge.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Typing was very slow</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Password</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What is a password?</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Why do the letters show up as dots, instead of letters.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Password requirements</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Forget Password Questions.</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">·</span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Spam box at end of form. Why does it exist. Trouble reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As we had to repeat many processes (going from input box to input box), it was helpful having a second teacher as an onlooker, who was not hassled by the physical control of the device, be able to reexplain instructions in Kiswahili to the teacher filling out the form.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a good idea for new users to work in groups, so they can teach eachother.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, Joanna demonstrated chat.xo . Unfortunately, Joanna had some trouble getting the computers on the same mesh network, and </span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">maintaining focus while troubleshooting was difficult</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Some teachers took out their cell phones when losing patience. After the lesson, we realized that really, the cell phones in are also computers, and since all of the teachers already have a great grasp on how to use their cell phones, we want to </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">take the already learned concepts of cell phone interfacing, and apply them to the XOs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It was exciting to watch the teachers’ transition from such hesitation, to excitement and willingness to learn, but it is apparent we have a long way to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We have an optional workshop scheduled this weekend (Saturday 11:00am) for the teachers and members of the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We are working with the teachers again after school Next Monday, Tuesday Wednesday.</span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-14102573417158972552011-06-21T11:06:00.000-07:002011-06-21T11:06:47.637-07:00Success!This is the first post done entirely on an XO, out Safaricom modem paired with a cradlepoint PHS300 is a huge success. Signing out from Bura.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO01h4fIcdRBYGZMebYHMfx7wcHX55fWh2ncp73V8Zpw4drNZO4d9Fthq305eJgbUc7RSyGzc7Hc4t8cYFZ3IGuPp3yOPpNtbRNf9PHmogHLh_b90mPRgeB_zr0hyQKRD49Vksre_83wI/s1600/tmpiTZ1kU.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO01h4fIcdRBYGZMebYHMfx7wcHX55fWh2ncp73V8Zpw4drNZO4d9Fthq305eJgbUc7RSyGzc7Hc4t8cYFZ3IGuPp3yOPpNtbRNf9PHmogHLh_b90mPRgeB_zr0hyQKRD49Vksre_83wI/s1600/tmpiTZ1kU.jpe" /></a></div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-63963356942730637192011-06-21T05:40:00.000-07:002011-06-28T02:21:10.559-07:00On the road with inernetUsing our Safaricom modem, were on the road from Nairobi to Bura right now, in the car, with internet!<br />
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We're currently not able to upload images (screenshot of stats). Perhaps when we're closer to a tower.Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-79423686420005902402011-06-18T12:23:00.000-07:002011-06-28T02:34:44.739-07:00The LibraryWe are more interested in utilizing the XO's for what they can do, rather than utilizing them as a way to teach computers. As such, we are bringing them as a miniature library designed to keep the teachers interested in them, as well as the students.<br />
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We are bringing have spent some time acquiring eBooks, and have ended up with this nice start to a basic library.<br />
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<ul><li>Adventures of Pinocchio</li>
<li>Airship Andy or the Luck of a Brave Boy</li>
<li>English-Kidawida Dictionary (rtf)</li>
<li>Kidawida-English Dictionary (rtf)</li>
<li>The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</li>
<li>The Arabian Nights</li>
<li>The Art of Caricaturing</li>
<li>The Jungle Book</li>
<li>The Mysterious Affairs at Styles</li>
<li>The Ugly Duckling</li>
<li>The Secret Garden</li>
<li>The Tale of Peter Rabbit</li>
</ul><div><a href="http://cl.ly/3a1E18132C041E1L212g">Download</a></div><div><br />
</div>If you have good epubs to share, please pass them on to admin@buraprimaryschool.comBurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-85226217987343149812011-06-18T11:51:00.000-07:002011-06-28T02:23:54.785-07:00What are we bringing?<ul><li>8 XO-1's</li>
<ul><li>Build: 860</li>
<li>Sugar: 0.84.31</li>
</ul><li>2 <a href="http://www.cradlepoint.com/products/phs300-personal-wifi-hotspot-3g4g">Cradlepoint phs300</a></li>
</ul><div>We're excited that these 8 XO's will bring the total number of XO's at Bura Primary School to 10!<br />
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Special thanks to Mark Battley for his <a href="http://www.cradlepoint.com/files/uploads/UCC_KenyanSchool_CaseStudy.pdf">groundbreaking work </a>with cradlepoint at the <a href="http://www.ntugischool.com/">Ntugi School</a>, also in Kenya.</div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634845925832671374.post-41737689005158231082011-06-18T11:32:00.000-07:002011-06-18T18:49:15.191-07:00Where is Bura?Bura, Kenya. A small town west of Voi, it is not even on listed on google maps, however, this does not mean it doesn't exist!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=211008987392996722212.0004a600aab27c78bf324&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-3.492175,38.3531&spn=0,0&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=211008987392996722212.0004a600aab27c78bf324&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-3.492175,38.3531&spn=0,0&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Where is Bura?</a> in a larger map</small><br />
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</small><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Maybe it seems to be inaccessible, but look, it's not too far from other OLPC programs!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://olpcmap.net/"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx34bbxuf5yfR5VltGit3h528DuVXeza6QaqYpryZAVcKSX093yMrmLiRvsYlHWqhRRqnxKqaEsGo841lqvrzSF-pUqcLnx-UiZPAdWWAbqCeJHkt6mUVjw07o5Ptvm1_v8J-OUqeJzw/s320/Screen+shot+2011-06-18+at+2.31.50+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That's us in orange!</span></span></span></div></div>Burahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431609518234361289noreply@blogger.com0