ILXO/workshops

This is still very much a work in progress.

We're aiming to have workshops run from 1-3 hours, depending on the complexity of the topic at hand. We'd love to have your feedback! (AUGH, formatting is ugly. Suggestions? Presumably a table, I'll work on that.)

Ready to Go

XO-101: An Introduction

Have an XO but haven't had a chance to find out what it can do? We will provide an overview of the activities bundled with the XO, as well as the basics of finding and downloading new content for it. There will be an emphasis on its use in an educational context - come explore the XOs networking capacities as well!

• (targeted at those new to XO usage, unfamiliar with OLPC, etc...)
• What will we cover?
  • Sugar interface.
  • Terminal (I think this one is particularly important - super useful, but not really accessible to those without background. We don't need to get too technical - basic commands, maybe? -- actually, this is not actually be too useful unless people want to do content/activity development. Discuss? Or just gauge interest based on attendance.)
  • Activities -- which are non-intuitive enough to warrant this? (TamTam, Etoys, Scratch?)
  • Nifty fun things -- distance, other multi-person things

XO Disassembly and Repair

We may not like to admit it, but laptops - yes, even XOs - can sometimes break. We'll go over both top and bottom disassembly, such that by the end of the session, you'll be confident in your abilities to replace an XO's screen or keyboard. Come admire the hardware design and the nifty construction of the XO! (We've done disassembly many times - it's much less scary with someone showing you the way.)

• (Sufficient number of screwdrivers)
• (to what extent are we having people do this to working XOs? Their own?)

WikiHalps

Communication is an essential part of any successful venture. Learn to get the most out of the resources available to you - we'll be focusing on Wikis, though we can also discuss IRC, forums, and mailing lists, and any other suggestions you have.

• (will come up with some succinct, informative name)
• (Bring your own laptops!)

Starting a Grassroots Group

• (will fill this out after the Jam)

Running a Jam

• (will also fill this out after the Jam)

The following workshops don't necessarily focus directly on the XO - however, we hope they provide insight on how the XO can be integrated with a variety of educational topics.

Further Workshops

Music Composition

This workshop will explore uses of the TamTam Suite. Learn about the recording capabilities, and, if you're feeling ambitious, write your own multi-instrument piece in TamTam Edit! Music theory topics covered will include... (details to be determined - presumably, basics of major/minor scales, key signatures, rhythm, harmony - can be scaled up or down depending on audience)

• (1 XO per person - maybe pair up? Headphones, maybe? If no headphones, requires high tolerance for electronic blips and odd noises!)

Green engineering and how laptops are made

Learn about the XOs design for manufacturability (dfm) - why are the separate parts shaped the way they are? In addition to the examination of the XO's construction, we will also be discussing the environmental impact of the XO.

• (please edit this, as I don't actually know if any information exists about XO greenness)

Fractals and number theory

• (I'll let Mel talk about this one)

Photography & filmmaking

The XO may not be the most sophisticated media recording device out on the market, but why not make use of Record? Learn about basic photography and videography techniques. After all, composition tips are just as applicable to the XO!

• (rig your own viewfinder -- obtaining some of the prototypes? Tips on taking pictures not facing you -- hee, best clicking methods!)
• (1 XO per person)
• (what about journalism/photojournalism aspects?)

Inventors' Workshop

• (user-centered design, sketch prototyping, journalism)
• (UOCD junior is a meaningless description to not-Olin. As someone who hasn't taken the course, I'll fill this out later or defer to someone else)

Self-Defense

• (do we want to say how we're integrating the XO?)

Origami

• (how are we integrating the XO, or is it just a gratuitous use of it as an e-book reader? Wait, wait! -- this would be a really awesome content bundle, or maybe that's just me.)