Olin university chapter/Projects/Curriculum/Lesson 1

Computer Creations

Lesson 1 - Introduction

Feb 24, 2010

An overview

• Brought XOs
• Had kids write up basic (non-legally binding contracts!) of things not to do

   * "No destruction"
   * "No dropping"
   * "No Rain"
   * "I will treat this as well as I treat my DS!"

• Parents received pdf form two weeks ago. (Copy where?)

• Basic what is XO/OLPC intro
• Gave them XOs

   * Ran through powering on
   * Changing colors, names
   * Curious about mesh network -- asked about chat. We eventually let them get there.
   * Made "friends" with each other
   * Moon /sounds/ exciting to them. Can we work anything in?
   * Latched on to Maze really quickly
       * played with Maze for a while
       
   * Crashed at about kid 5 on the mesh for chat?
   
   * very quick
   * didn't ask for instruction
   * when kid A learns something, spreads veryveryvery quickly.
   
   * Some things we wanted to teach them:
       * Journal was tricky for them to pick up
       * Getting back to home
       
   * When we just let them go, they generally weren't having trouble
       * Still need to be gently prodded to remember to close activities.
       
   * Give essential knowledge!
   
   

Initial thoughts

• No gender balance -- class of 7 boys
• One set of brothers, though. Could be interesting.

   * Will the brothers figure out how to use Distance?

• kids surprisingly enthusiastic about seeing pictures of other kids (nepal, vietnam) using XOs.

   * "Are there ones in China?"

• latched on to concept of internet immediately, chat in particular was something they kept wanting to come back to.
• Prepare and learn what the different parts are of an XO.
• "I'm really good at this!" or "Oh, I don't really no how to use this" -- without any sort of sense of reference at this point. Interesting.

• Potentially circumventing parental control on computer-y things. Probably a non-issue, as it is difficult to get online without parental help

• surprisingly obedient
• Seemingly enthusiastic! (we were a little apprehensive about children being forced into them.)

Next week

• We may want to introduce where we're from.

• idea: include "OLPC Fact of the Week"
• Maze + Turtle Art

   * Open the class with a working example of what we'd like them to accomplish
   * can we get the grid set-up faster?
       * Who can turtle their turtle through the most complex maze?
       

• 10-15 minutes of free play time

   * Make it clear that this time is free -- such that they can rein it in

• Checkpoint 1: Understand concept of moving turtle x, y, whatever.
• Then allow kids to import new more complex mazes.

• Whenever we have to talk to all of them, make sure they put the screens down.

• Want to squeeze in the concept of saving things.
• Enthusiasm is contagious.

• One table set up

   * Convenient for talking to everyone at once
   * Really easy for a group activity to separate them.

• DEFINITELY BRING EXTENSION CORD AND POWER STRIP