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What Edubuntu can teach your kids
linux.com — Edubuntu is a customized version of Ubuntu aimed at children in educational environments. According to the distributions homepage, Edubuntu is "Linux for Young Human Beings." That works out well for me, since I have three of those in my house. I homeschool my children and use Edubuntu on a couple of our computers.
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- Bicep, on 04/26/2008, -1/+17Right on. We use it at home.
- schestowitz, on 04/26/2008, -7/+6There are several simplified distributions made specifically for children, which makes it the ideal operating system for that crowd.
- Beastmasta, on 04/26/2008, -3/+16Learning disguised as fun, holy *****!
- OneLess, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1Head fake, as Randy Pausch would say :)
- KibibyteBrain, on 04/26/2008, -0/+2I believe in more practical and entertaining learning, but:
"As I write this, my oldest is sitting next to me with one of the laptops trying to beat his personal best in a game of KHangMan."
I mean, I don't disagree. Its right, but is a very inefficient use of learning time. I mean, I could argue that playing RPGs or puzzle games on the SNES did the same for me, and would have been right to a degree. However I think the following applications of computers are far more profound:
-Wikipedia/Online Research Tools
-Computer Algebra Systems and other mathematical tools
-ebooks and services like Safari Books Online
-Online academic tools like cnx.
-Other people's source code to read
-Online literature sites, both stories/poems and commentary
-Historical Source documents
-Art tutorials on basically anything, even obscure foreign techniques and styles
-Flashcards
-Sites like MAKE
-Educational Podcasts
-IPTV of science/educational content
The list goes on. These beat hangman or potato man or whatever by a longshot. If you study history, children of past times where the general education of the educated classes was far beyond the levels we see now didn't study from "dumbed down" sources. They read the same books everyone else did. And that was all there was really to do for fun. Now its different, but by making challenges fun, you can teach anything. For example, make a program that teaches basic geometry by showing a series of angles and an unknown angle, and have them input the correct angle to properly launch a catapult or missile. Thats edutainment. In fact, thats life. I'm an engineer and I don't usually go out and crack down studying hard math crap for the fun of it. I do it to solve problems that ARE interesting to me. So its pretty much the same thing for kids.
That said, some tools like KTurtle are great for kids.
- nmnnotmyname, on 04/26/2008, -1/+3This is surprisingly interesting.
- treyd1, on 04/26/2008, -0/+9I love Edubuntu. I am upgrading to 8.04 from 7.04 now (got a version behind).
- cquinnd, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1I have a slow torrent for the latest releases of 8.04 to test out on some older computers I am repurposing, and I completely overlooked this version. I'm making a note to try this out.
- techmite, on 04/26/2008, -17/+1i thought that i will write a review after installing edubuntu on my 2 year old pc on http://www.techjunkiez.com but i went nuts installing edubuntu .kubuntu and ubuntu installs fine and easily
- ryansimbalist, on 04/26/2008, -1/+5This is an ad. That's all this guy F'n does. Please Bury.
- Shadowgamers, on 04/26/2008, -1/+5Am I too old to use it? V:
- alexp2ad, on 04/26/2008, -11/+4Rubbish article, basically just a list of programs in Edubuntu. :/
- Shadowgamers, on 04/26/2008, -1/+2http://www.edubuntu.com/ ?
- oldbox, on 04/26/2008, -7/+19I totaly digg the learn with Linux part, I't the homeschooling kids part i don't dig at all....
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -5/+5And why is that?
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -4/+4Because kids should not be making homework. Period. When school is out, children should be playing with their friends. Life is hectic as it is, and children should have all the time in the world.
- ghindo, on 04/26/2008, -3/+9Kids need the social environment that school provides them.
- cquinnd, on 04/26/2008, -0/+8Kids should be exposed to some level of socializing influence from their peers and the outside world, or they risk being adequately educated but emotionally stunted as they reach their teenage and early adult years.
Public school is not absolutely necessary in that regard, but it is an important consideration for parents to provide a good alternative for those social engagments (church, public clubs and organizations, volunteerism) if and while they choose to home school.
- cquinnd, on 04/26/2008, -0/+8Kids should be exposed to some level of socializing influence from their peers and the outside world, or they risk being adequately educated but emotionally stunted as they reach their teenage and early adult years.
- Amiga500, on 04/26/2008, -9/+2Agreed, burred for “I home school my children”. Lisa Hoover, you are a real piece of ***** and I hope one day your kids turn on you and slit your throat for being a pompous asshole. It's a shame when kids get a stupid bitch for a mother. Hopefully the children will be strong enough to pull ahead later in life.
- Adys, on 04/26/2008, -1/+5Looks like you haven't been homeschooled - great example, ain't you.
- asforme, on 04/27/2008, -1/+2Faced with making the decision for my child soon I think homeschooling is much better than sending him to a government school where he can get expelled if he points his finger and says bang or brings peanuts to school. Through church and sports and other social activities I think my child will be fine.
However I will NOT be making my child learn cursive? I mean WTF, why?
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -5/+5And why is that?
- Carlix, on 04/26/2008, -11/+22Homeschooling just makes those kids have less friends.
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -4/+21That's just plain not true. I was homeschooled all the way through highschool and don't think I've been slighted in that way at all. In fact, I'd say I have a richer set of friends, in that I got to choose who I hung out with, not being forced to stay with the same classmates every year.
- RetepNamenots, on 04/26/2008, -9/+5You didn't have to choose which classmates to hang out with, because you had none?
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -3/+7exactly. Which means I could hang out with people who's company I actually enjoyed as opposed to a random set of kids that just happen to be the same age as me. I mean really, most of your life you interact with people who are another age anyways... public school artificially makes you interact with your same age group.
- Borgcube, on 04/26/2008, -1/+11@Chalks777
But in that you lost an ability to handle all sorts of people, not just the ones you like, which is important since you can rarely choose who to work with and you should always try to befriend your coworkers so that the day at work isn't as boring.- aaabatteries, on 04/26/2008, -1/+8That's a valid point.
However, I (also homeschooled through highschool) have had a job of some sorts since I was 13. Granted, I only worked 4-8 hours a week, but it helped me learn how to associate with people as well as make decent money. At least, better than what my public school friends were making while working on the weekends at Price Chopper or Walmart's...
tl;dr
as long as you're plugged into the community and don't disassociate yourself with people--you will come out okay.
- aaabatteries, on 04/26/2008, -1/+8That's a valid point.
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -1/+9Do you honestly think that I've never come across people I don't get along with? Learning to deal with those people is a skill that is vital for everyone. I would have been fired from all of my jobs if I hadn't been able to get along with that one guy who was completely annoying.
- priegog, on 04/26/2008, -1/+1@chalks777
I feel you are making up excuses. How would being in a highschool prevent me from getting along with whomever I chose to? I mean, I could understand If you wanted to make a point that being homeschooled is not THAT bad (from a social PoV), but turning it completely the other way around? I don't think so mister. I'd give anecdotal evidence, but that's not science. I'll just say that if for whatever reason I don't agree with what public schools teach kids, I'll be sure to pony up the cash to send them to a private. Simply put, from a psychological PoV, growing up surrounded mostly by adults isn't very good. - Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -4/+8Priegog, the point I'm trying to make is that homeschooling (usually) has no negative effect on a student's social life, and is (often) a good thing instead. The only thing I'm saying about public school is that it creates an artifical environment that you don't find anywhere else in life. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, it's just an observation.
- priegog, on 04/27/2008, -3/+1Precisely, why are you trying to say that? Specially that it can be a good thing instead (which might be true for the quality of the education, but nothing else IMHO). And what's all that you ramble about the artificial enviroment, as if it's something bad... What have you to say about workplaces? Are you not forced to interact with people with whom you may not want to interact either? How is getting to interact with kids your own age a bad thing socially? I'm sorry, but I met too many (ok 2) kids who are absolutely socially handicapped because they were homeschooled. Sure, teir skills are enough for "formal" or work-related relationships (ie: they can speak the language and know how to say please and thankyou), but they have been unable to form bff-like or long term relationships. That's all I'm gonna say.
- aaabatteries, on 04/26/2008, -5/+5same here. I'm still in High School in fact. (in b4 underageb&)
I will be getting my Associate's degree by the time I'm 18. Which is quite soon.
I also lead a very active social life and know...pretty much everyone--and a great deal more than any other public schooler I know. RetepNamenots, your comment is uncalled for albeit mildly amusing.
- RetepNamenots, on 04/26/2008, -9/+5You didn't have to choose which classmates to hang out with, because you had none?
- thewayne, on 04/26/2008, -0/+6It also makes sure they are taught correctly and not the new way of teaching going on in American schools today.
- ErikHK, on 04/26/2008, -4/+1Especially when the kids have ultra religious parents, because we should all learn that the earth is 6000 years old.
- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2At least we have a worldview that doesn't change whenever mainstream secular scientists carbon-date a new rock :D
But, really, how is a homeschooling couple teaching their kids a Biblical worldview "Ultra Religious"? The public schools teach humanism and such, excluding Biblical Christianity, and that's not "Ultra Religious"?
Sorry, but thinking the earth is 6K years old based on the Bibilical account and evidence is not "Ultra Religious".
- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2At least we have a worldview that doesn't change whenever mainstream secular scientists carbon-date a new rock :D
- ErikHK, on 04/26/2008, -4/+1Especially when the kids have ultra religious parents, because we should all learn that the earth is 6000 years old.
- copperhead, on 04/26/2008, -0/+4And we all know that it's the friendships we make when we're 8 that last a lifetime.
- spalVl, on 04/26/2008, -0/+2You are communicating with others right now from your home. If companies allow remote employees what is wrong with remote education?
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -3/+0Remote education doesn't putt you into the community around your house. You will not make (a lot of) friends in your area.
- DestroyFascism, on 04/26/2008, -1/+7Better than going to a ***** classroom full of degraded minds and dumb women, bullies, jerks and ***** teachers that could not care less about anything you think or feel.
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -3/+2At school you learn how to deal with total *****. If you don't develop skills to counter them at school, then how will you be able to defend yourself at later age? You will just turn out to be a major loser at high-school. Take a look at autistic kids; they don't learn anything and they will never accomplish anything just by themselves.
- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Re: autistic kids:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2988647.stm
You were saying?
As for dealing with people, I've never heard a bully story that ended with "and the big bully ran off crying!"
- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Re: autistic kids:
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -3/+2At school you learn how to deal with total *****. If you don't develop skills to counter them at school, then how will you be able to defend yourself at later age? You will just turn out to be a major loser at high-school. Take a look at autistic kids; they don't learn anything and they will never accomplish anything just by themselves.
- jasutton, on 04/26/2008, -1/+2Yeah, we all know it's more important to have friends and feel good about yourself than to learn.
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.as ...- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Well, duh
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww
- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Well, duh
- Knet88, on 04/28/2008, -0/+2Life is what you make of it, homeschooling or not. I happen to have the misfortune of seeing kids I knew in Jr High and High School while I'm out here at college, and they're annoying.
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -4/+21That's just plain not true. I was homeschooled all the way through highschool and don't think I've been slighted in that way at all. In fact, I'd say I have a richer set of friends, in that I got to choose who I hung out with, not being forced to stay with the same classmates every year.
- greevar, on 04/26/2008, -0/+2Great article. It's very encouraging.
- Picer, on 04/26/2008, -0/+2Good article but screen shots would have been nice.
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1http://www.edubuntu.org/Screenshots
- YamiJim, on 04/26/2008, -9/+3Home schooling, you're a socially inept shut-in! Why shouldn't your children be as well?
- flarn2006, on 04/26/2008, -2/+3A mother giving writing assignments to her own kids? Shame on her!
- aliguana, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1So do I. Learning doesn't stop at 3 when school stops. Little, often, and subtly is the way to teach them. So they don't realise they are doing "work". So they don't realise they are learning.
- Borgcube636, on 04/26/2008, -11/+1Hi. I'm a PC. I can play ALL the latest games.
- aliguana, on 04/26/2008, -0/+3Hello, I'm a young PC. I play all the latest games. I can beat the boss on level 200 of Plasma-blast. Just don't ask me to actually COUNT to 200. Or write my own name. But damn, the AirForce will sign me up in a flash when I'm older.
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -1/+1Stop the Apple *****. That commercial is made for-, and used by stupid people.
- DigitalPioneer, on 04/26/2008, -2/+18Why's everyone bashing homeschoolers? There's nothing wrong with homeschoolers or homeschooling. In contrast, public schooled kids tend to be stupid, rebellious, and profane. Not all, by any means. I know plenty of perfectly decent public schooled kids, but I know plenty of perfectly indecent ones too.
- Chalks777, on 04/26/2008, -0/+3that's true, but the reason you see that is partly because the number of public schoolers far outweighs the number of home schoolers. I'm positive there are planty of stupid, rebellious and profane homeschoolers. In fact, I know several families who began homeschooling simply because their kids were so rebellious.
- srg13, on 04/27/2008, -0/+4Wow - the US public school system sounds really messed up...
- asforme, on 04/27/2008, -0/+1It is.
- Biznarie, on 04/28/2008, -0/+0Human interaction is a big part of learning.
- MessiR10, on 04/26/2008, -2/+3LINUx rocks
- Tr3mulant, on 04/26/2008, -7/+1You guys need to stop trying to make Ubuntu and Linux seem more popular than it is by hijacking digg. Most people couldn't care less about this crap. Edubuntu? are you serious? What are your estimates for the amount of kids who will be using this? 3 or 4? That may be a bit too high. You guys should make your goals a little more reasonable.
- Zpanzer, on 04/26/2008, -1/+2When I was in public school, all our computers used Windows 98 and 2000, which isn't a very good learning environment for youngsters because you're pretty much on your own unless you have a friend or someone who knows a bit about dancing around in the Windows OS'(which thankfully many does since it's pretty much the standard). Now the great thing about this OS is that first of all, it is free(which won't set you're school back a lot of money when they need to upgrade their computer's OS, my school had around 120 computers), it comes with many of the Must Have programs like Open-Office(which is a very good alternative to MS Office, in case someone didn't know) and lot's of extra programs that is able to teach people. I could see this be very popular in a matter of years if they keep developing it.
- jasutton, on 04/26/2008, -2/+6You do realize that the people that digg linux are the ones that created digg. It's all the crappy "articles" that link to youtube videos and try to paint Barak as the savior of humanity that I'd like to see disappear.
- vincentweber, on 04/26/2008, -1/+2I would love to see you write an article about an OS other than Linux that can accomplish what Edubuntu can.
- cquinnd, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1You mean like setting up a dual boot system, one side with Edubuntu, and the other side with Windows running Software for Starving Students or some other educational suite?
- vincentweber, on 04/27/2008, -0/+0No you total moron. An OS other than Linux that can, out of the box, do the ***** that edubuntu can.
- cquinnd, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1You mean like setting up a dual boot system, one side with Edubuntu, and the other side with Windows running Software for Starving Students or some other educational suite?
- BassJunkie, on 04/27/2008, -0/+2The nice thing with Linux and Ubuntu is we don't have to hijack digg to make it look popular. A quick look over at distrowatch will show Ubuntu as the most popular linux OS, showing it must be doing some good! As for your "estimates" of the amount of children using Edubuntu I have at least 3 so far in my family and they all love it, the only reason the other 2 aren't using it yet is that they are a bit to young to use the mouse (nearly 2 and 3 weeks!) All of the applications mentioned in the article are great for the kids and help them learn important skills whilst having fun! It is now actually the only OS on their PC and I can safely say they don't miss windows!
- DestroyFascism, on 04/26/2008, -2/+1So we should also stop talking about Bitch face and elections because.........
- Jlaw09, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1Our school is thinking about getting edubuntu maybe. So its not just for homeschooling :P
- tsinbad, on 04/26/2008, -0/+1Is there a (hopefully easy) way to convert an existing Ubuntu 8.04 installation to Edubuntu?
- asforme, on 04/27/2008, -0/+1sudo aptitude install edubuntu-desktop
- baconz, on 04/27/2008, -4/+2What it can teach them is: "There's a really easy way to do just about everything but you have to pay. Now here's a needlessly difficult and ugly way to do it but it's free. Welcome to life you little turd. Red pill or blue."
- newwatch51, on 04/28/2008, -1/+2something tells me you've never used this software
- theferno, on 04/27/2008, -2/+4why would you ever home school your kids? unless you live in the fkn ghetto you are ruining your kids (potential) lives
- eternicode, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1This topic has been nearly beaten to death already. Please read through the comment thread, if you are capable of doing so.
- Knet88, on 04/28/2008, -0/+1Keep up the work Edubuntu devs, there is a lot of promise in the project.
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