Generation LinuX, Part 1--The Basics
By: Rob Reilly
Monday, March 13, 2006 09:10:10 AM EST
URL: http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/6201/1/
Who's Teaching Kids About Computers?
Barriers to solving real-world, everyday problems with cutting-edge computer technology are now gone. Linux and Open Source Software offer a giant toolbox, full of shiny new tools, just waiting to be put to good use by our children.
Oh, I agree that we shouldn't necessarily turn a kid into some super-techno geek. Balancing the ability to learn and master complexity with the bigger picture in mind simply gives them one more competitive advantage in the world.
It's a shame not to take advantage of kids' natural curiosity and lack of preconceived notions, when all it takes is a little attention and a minimum outlay of cash.
This series will suggest how you can augment your kid's current computer education program. I'll also point out pitfalls, that cause difficulty and frustration for both you and your child. Later articles will discuss how a kid can use Linux and Open Source tools for productive work.
First, Teach The Lingo
Log in to your machine, using your user name and password. Next, start KDE, Konqueror, and your Thunderbird client. Surf to Google and type in your search keywords. Use the plus sign to ensure words are included. Page through the results to find relevant articles on your subject.
Huh? What kid would understand that paragraph?
It's unrealistic for a 10-year-old to know the terms, technical language, or internal parts of a desktop computer. They can't possibly know what Firefox or a network card looks like, unless somebody tells them. They don't have the experience to infer what those things are, either.
A good place to start is to help them understand the language and components. It's tough to drive a car if we have no knowledge of a steering wheel or a gas pedal. Likewise, how can you find things on the Internet if you don't know about Web addresses or that Google is not the same as Firefox can be just as difficult.
Generation LinuX Tip #1 - Teach The Lingo
Below is an introductory list of terms and descriptions, to get you started.
| processor | the guts of the computer |
| memory | where data is stored temporarily |
| data | information, words, stories, pictures, numbers |
| file | a container of data |
| directory | a set or list of files |
| folder | same thing as a directory |
| server | a computer that hands out data |
| client | a computer that gets data from a server |
| save | record your data somewhere |
| card | a circuit card that goes inside a computer |
| CD | the silver disk with data and programs on it |
| CD drive | the big cup holder where you put a CD |
| software | programs that run a computer |
| hardware | physical parts of the computer |
| Internet | a networked collection of servers and devices |
| Web page | a collection of information, on a server, somewhere on the Internet |
| browser | the program that shows web pages |
| Web address | a Web page location - commonly starts with www |
| a large Web search engine | |
| search text | words typed into the search box |
| Firefox | an Open Source program used to look at Web pages |
Naturally, those are simplistic definitions and you should customize your own list. Watch out for inconsistent terminology. For example, calling a disk a drive and vice versa.
Too complicated? You bet. And we are just getting started.
Generation LinuX Tip #2 - Make Computer Flash Cards
Have your kid make some flash cards out of construction paper that they can use to practice their computer words and definitions.
Most kids love to make things and as their computer vocabulary grows, new words and definitions can be added to the pile. Looking up their new terms in a dictionary, is a useful habit to encourage.
Generation LinuX Tip #3 - Build a Machine Together
Kids love it when I take an old Pentium desktop and some cards to their classroom and talk about what's inside the box. They practically fight over who is going to examine the memory chips or network cards first as I hand them out during my demo.
Your kid will be the same way at home.
So, if you have a bunch of old computers, hard disks, and cards why not pick out the best parts and build a computer together. Even if you are not a hardware person, resurrecting an old desktop using Linux is a good learning experience for both kid and parent.
Have them put labels on parts that you don't want anymore and then make a game of identifying each one. It brings a new meaning to flash cards.
Generation LinuX Tip #4 - Be Patient When Doing an Installation
Nobody I know has done this, but I've heard of tech gurus who get really edgy and impatient when doing a Linux installation.
Modern, easy-to-use Linux distributions (like SUSE, Ubuntu, and Mepis) practically install themselves, so it's easy to just blow through them. A great little exercise is to have your "tech assistant" write down all the installation steps as you go through them. Have them start writing a little how-to guide.
Later, start up OpenOffice.org Writer and have them type their guide into a document. Don't forget that they may not know why or how they need to save their work to the disk. Another learning opportunity.
Kids love these types of projects. They relish the personal attention and get a special treat out of learning important things with Mom or Dad. And talk about a confidence booster!
Building a firm understanding of computer terms and the various hardware parts sets the stage for the next level of education.
Patiently Get Rid of Frustrations
To make the most of our computer learning opportunity, parents must get rid of all of the traditional frustrations from the past.
Generation LinuX Tip #5 - Use Easy To Install Linux Distributions
As mentioned before, distributions like SUSE, Ubuntu, and Mepis load without much fuss and walk the new user through the complicated spots. These versions start running in no time and put the user into a regular desktop, right out of the box. Branching out to more challenging distros later on depends solely on your child's initiative and desire.
Generation LinuX Tip #6 - Provide the Best Practical Computer Hardware
If you have the cash, get them a late-model mainstream machine that's fast and reliable. No need for the absolute cutting edge because the latest hardware frequently has driver stability problems.
It's painful to watch a kid fidget when they have to wait three minutes for KDE to load on a worn-out, 10-year-old desktop relic.
On the other hand, using older and slower machines help a kid learn patience. Everybody complains that kids are fixated on instant gratification. Slow machines are a subtle way to curb that habit.
Generation LinuX Tip #7 - Streamline Your Stand-Up Routine
Showing a feature or doing a demo of an application is a difficult art. Gloss over an important detail and your child could be completely lost after you've left the room. Give too much detail and your little techno-worker will quickly become bored and lose interest.
You might want to watch how deeply you go into a topic. I know plenty of techies that ramble on for 10 minutes about some minute detail and totally lose sight of what will be useful to their audience. I'll admit that I'm guilty of doing it. Occupational hazard, I guess. Awareness and practice help improve prioritizing of details.
One Last Thing
After the basic terminology is mastered and roadblocks to learning are removed, it's time to start putting Linux and Open Source Software to use solving problems. The last topic I briefly want to cover is a tool that will help the youngster find answers: the web browser and search engine combination.
Linux distributions have a number to choose from including Firefox, Mozilla, and Konqueror. There are others, too.
Generation LinuX Tip #8 - Start Teaching Web Research Skills Early
How to use the Web to research topics is a very important skill for your child to learn. One of biggest problems everyone faces today is finding the relevant information that helps you make progress in your project. Essential Web search skills seem to go largely neglected in a most kid's computer education.
Perhaps your child is interested in audio recording. Show them how to search for Open Source audio recording programs. Point out the big Linux/Open Source Web sites, like Linux Today or NewsForge. Plug Linux into the Google News page and then talk about the results that are returned. Have your kid expand their searching skills to find other types of information (not just computer tech details).
Don't forget to have them add search-skill commentary to their personal how-to notebook.
Set Them Loose
Linux and OSS offers a rich tool box for kids to learn about computers.
More importantly, it is readily available and adaptable to just about any problem solving or business situation. Everything is built-in and barriers to entry are non-existent, other than lack of initiative and application of effort.
In this series I've started with a few pointers for the basics. We'll work our way up from here.
The next article will go into suggestions on use of the Web browser, search engine combination to find information.
Helping kids understand how computers fit into the big picture, while effectively using the technology to get the job done, is the whole point of this series. The day will soon come when they will need to be confident with that understanding. Parents are the key ingredient in the mix.
Rob Reilly is a consultant, commentator, and writer. His company solves client problems, in a variety of business & technology areas. He is also a Contributing Editor for Linux Today. Send him a note or visit his Web site at http://home.earthlink.net/~robreilly.