[Edu-sig] K12 Open Minds Reminder - Sessions announced!

[Vern Ceder]

Kirby,

>> If you find anyone pounding the podium about SQL pre-college, hooked
>> with Venn Diagrams etc., maybe put them in touch with me?  Even better
>> if they're using Python for hands-on, with SQLite or whatever.

Will do... I didn't have time to respond to your original post on SQL in 
  K12, but I like the idea. While I tend to use Python to explore the 
idea of "what is code and what can you do with it?", I can also see the 
power of using SQL to explore the area of "what is data and how can you 
manipulate it?" It seems to me that the two different paths could end up 
in similar places in the end.

>> Your 'Open Source Options for Teaching Programming K-12' is probably
>> somewhat like my Python Briefing in part

As to my talk, it will end with using Python (and other languages) in 
project based courses, preferably interacting with real OSS projects, 
but will begin in elementary with things like Scratch and Pico boards, 
which let very young kids write code that interacts with the real world, 
something pretty powerful at all ages.

Again, I wish we could have you there (and others on this list)... maybe 
next year.

Cheers,
Vern

kirby urner wrote:
> I'm glad this is happening Vern, and I've been studying the website.
> 
> Your 'Open Source Options for Teaching Programming K-12' is probably
> somewhat like my Python Briefing in part, the gig I cater to math
> teachers in those schools with geek parents willing to kick up enough
> fuss to cause a mini-revolution in math teaching practices (few and
> far between so far nationally, these brewing tempests in teapots, but
> then Portland is "special" (Church Lady allusion)).
> 
> If you find anyone pounding the podium about SQL pre-college, hooked
> with Venn Diagrams etc., maybe put them in touch with me?  Even better
> if they're using Python for hands-on, with SQLite or whatever.
> 
> It's a full scale offensive out here, getting more SQL in the high
> schools, with some really nasty whispering campaigns both directions
> (nothing new in math wars) plus nobody is sure what it'd mean for high
> school students to be doing inner and outer joins with possibly
> reckless abandon (we agree to safeguards, a sandbox, Polyhedra on
> MySQL a good place to start, including with blobs?).
> 
> I'm not dragging edu-sig into it much though, as here we have the good
> CS professors, not the rabid AlgebraFirsters I'm talking about (Robert
> Moses et al), or students of Katrina Math program (cite Math Forum,
> math-teach).  Colleges have a different set of problems, and besides,
> SQL isn't Python.
> 
> Also, we don't like to over-politicize around here, I've learned from
> past experience.
> 
> Kirby
> 
> 
> On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 9:50 PM, Vern Ceder <vceder at canterburyschool.org> wrote:
>> This is just a quick (and final) reminder that the K12 Open Minds
>> conference is fast approaching. See http://www.k12openminds.org for more
>> details - this is one of the few conferences devoted to Free and Open
>> Source Software in K-12 education.
>>
>> There are two updates worth mentioning. First, the preliminary sessions
>> list is now available at http://www.k12openminds.org/sessions - check it
>> out and consider joining us. Both Andy Harrington and I will be talking
>> about teaching Python, and Walter Bender from SugarLabs will also be
>> presenting.
>>
>> Second, the deadline for rooms at the conference rate of $97 a night has
>> been extended to Tuesday, Sept 2. After that, the room rate will
>> increase dramatically. So if you are planning to attend, book a room now
>> (see the "Hotels" link on k12openminds.org). You should be able to book
>> online all through the weekend.
>>
>> I know that time is short, but we hope you will consider joining us in
>> Indy for this event.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Vern Ceder, K12 Open Minds Planning Committee
>> --
>> This time for sure!
>>   -Bullwinkle J. Moose
>> -----------------------------
>> Vern Ceder, Director of Technology
>> Canterbury School, 3210 Smith Road, Ft Wayne, IN 46804
>> vceder at canterburyschool.org; 260-436-0746; FAX: 260-436-5137
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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-- 
This time for sure!
    -Bullwinkle J. Moose
-----------------------------
Vern Ceder, Director of Technology
Canterbury School, 3210 Smith Road, Ft Wayne, IN 46804
vceder at canterburyschool.org; 260-436-0746; FAX: 260-436-5137