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I'm going to teach Linux to some kids aged between 13-15 at a guidance school in Iran (Allame Helli 1, Tehran). They have learnt how to program using Microsoft QBASIC and I'm not allowed to learn them any new programming language (such as bash scripting or python). I want to introduce them to Linux and FOSS world and motivate them through this philosophy, and mainly learn them how to do their day to day jobs using free softwares. I am thinking about these syllabuses:

  • Brief history of GNU and Linux
    • Why do we prefer FOSS against any other model
    • Linux distros & desktop environments (I will use Ubuntu + classic GNOME, because I think Unity is still under development. Any ideas?)
    • Installing some of drivers such as graphic cards and dial-up modems, if they use any
    • Surfing the web, listening to music & video files with proprietary codecs, using Libre Office + media libraries such as moovida
    • Some familiarity with GIMP, Audacity, Inkscape and may be Blender
    • WINE, of course
    • Simple commands in bash, a little introduction with VIM
    • Installing new softwares from Ubuntu software center & apt-get
    • Playing with CompizConfig
    • Involving them with communities, getting from them, giving back to them, and trying to teach them the real meaning of Ubuntu.
    • Some network tools, such as Tramission (or Vuze), FileZilla, wget, aria2c
    • Maybe some scientific apps, I don't know which ones
    • Some easter eggs, for more joy!

What is your opinion? Any new ideas?

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add to list, 1) using man pages (important searching in them) 2) make a small script(using the common things: loop, condition, prompt for string, etc...) - eg. to do usual tasks like updating 3) installing ppa repos (also what is repo?) 4) cron, at 5) something about encryption, using LUKS 6) LAMP - will it be so hard for those children? :P – B. Roland May 31 '11 at 10:48
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How much I like the question... this is not for AU (askubuntu.com/faq) . I suggest you ask this on ubuntuforums.org. – Rinzwind May 31 '11 at 11:06
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I suggest you use nano or GEdit to edit files, not vim. A modal editor will probably feel foreign to the kids. – codeape May 31 '11 at 11:24
What is the point of teaching WINE? – codeape May 31 '11 at 11:25
Show software installation using a package manager. – codeape May 31 '11 at 11:26
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closed as off topic by Rinzwind, hhlp, Octavian Damiean, Jorge Castro, dv3500ea May 31 '11 at 14:42

Questions on Ask Ubuntu are expected to relate to Ubuntu within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

1 Answer

I think your list is well though out and will develop without intervention from the community. You have captured the "heart" of free software. It is a global effort of all peoples of our planet. I wish you and the children that will benefit from your teaching and dedication, every success - warmest regards.

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