[K12OSN] Our Free Software Keynote at NECC

[Steve Hargadon]

On 2/2/06, Tom Hoffman <tom.hoffman at gmail.com> wrote:
> I think it is a good time to discuss what we can do to make NECC 2006
> (in San Diego) a big success for free software in education.  Every
> year we have the opportunity at NECC to have a showcase in the Free
> Software Center / email garden.  I'd like to have a full slate of
> talks and presentations lined up ahead of time this year, so we can
> distribute flyers, particularly at other free software related talks
> (and the keynote).  We also should reach out to the Moodle community
> and try to use Moodle presentations in the Free Software Center to
> draw in people.

Tom et al:

As you are probably aware, Paul Nelson has spearheaded the Open Source
work with NECC for some time.  Jeff Elker, Paul Flint, and I took over
the duties last summer when Paul couldn't make it.  I've stayed in
touch with the shows organizers, and they seem anxious to do more and
better this year, and we have discussed the very things you have
mentioned.

NECC will be given a dry run in March at the CUE.org show in Palm
Springs.  CUE is ISTE's California affiliate, and the show is
considered a precursor to NECC in some ways, especially with regard to
the Open Source presence.  I've been working closely with the show
organizers, and will be providing 80 (!!) computers for the show:  32
will be standalone Linux WebStations (LiveKiosk.com) for email,
printing of airline boarding passes, and show evaluations; 48
additional machines will be running Linux thin client in a large,
lecture setting, 50' x 50', sharing the back end of the pavilion with
the vendor presentation area.  It's an incredible opportunity.  We
will also have  a screen, projector, and mic, and a series of talks
listed below.  There will be two other small (4 machine?) email
centers sponsored by Apple and Gateway (I think?), but otherwise Open
Source is the ticket for this event.  The NECC organizers are very
aware of what we are doing, and will be watching to see how things go.
 We are still looking for some students who can come and help
participate in Palm Springs.

Here are the formal sessions that are going to be presented in the
Open Source area, and all speaking are being listed as regular show
speakers and will be in the regular program.  Here are the sessions:

1.  Thursday, March 9 / 2:30 - 3:30 pm

"Introduction to Linux and Open Source Software for Schools"

Kim Brand
Server Partners, LLC
101 East Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 917-2000
kim at kimbrand.com

Basic, hands-on introduction to the world of Linux and Open Source
software, with an emphasis on educational applications and programs.
Will include brief overviews of Ubuntu, Red Hat, Novell, Open Office,
Firefox, GIMP, Samba, Apache, MySQL, and more.

2.  Thursday, March 9 / 4:00- 5:00 pm

"Use Your Noodle-Learn Moodle!"

Michelle Moore
Director of Training
remote-Learner.net
2857 Stuarts Draft Hwy., Suite 8B15
Stuarts Draft, Virginia, 24477-2787
540-324-0330
michelle at remote-learner.net

Tutorial session on the use of Moodle, the popular and free Open
Source course management system for online learning.  Basic introduction and
overview, with an opportunity for questions and hands-on learning in the Linux
Lab.

3.  Friday, March 10 / 10:00 - 11:00 am

"Blogging, Podcasting, and Content Management Systems"

Resources and introductory guide to new communication techniques using
the web:  blogging, podcasting, and Content Management Systems
(specifically Drupal).

Chris Fitzgerald Walsh
Epoch Learning
Walnut Creek, CA
925.465.4686
chris at epochlearning.com

4.  Friday, March 10 / 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

"Use Your Noodle-Learn Moodle!"

Michelle Moore
Director of Training
remote-Learner.net
2857 Stuarts Draft Hwy., Suite 8B15
Stuarts Draft, Virginia, 24477-2787
540-324-0330
michelle at remote-learner.net

Tutorial session on the use of Moodle, the popular and free Open
Source course management system for online learning.  Basic introduction and
overview, with an opportunity for questions and hands-on learning in the Linux
Lab.

5.  Saturday, March 11 / 11:00 am - 12:00 noon

"Edubuntu:  A Linux Distribution for Education"

Krishna Sankar
408-853-8475
ksankar at gte.net

Overview of the extremely popular Ubuntu operating system, and the
development of "Edubuntu," a version specifically designed for
educational use.

6.  Saturday, March 11 / 1:00 - 2:00 pm

"Thin-client & Kiosk Computing with Old PCs"

Steve Hargadon
TechnologyRescue.com
4350 Whispering Oaks Circle
Granite Bay, CA  95746
916-899-1400
steve at hargadon.com

Learn how to use old computers as high-performance workstations in
thin-client Linux and Windows computer labs, or as stand-alone web kiosks.
Will include the use of the Linux Lab and a demonstration of how it
has been set up.

7.  Saturday, March 11 / 2:30 - 3:30 pm

"Teaching Technical Skills with Linux and Open Source Software"

Tim Frichtel
21725 Evalyn Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503
tfrichtel at socal.rr.com
(310) 415-8981

An overview of using free and Open Source programs to teach technical
skills, from  web hosting and site design, to networking and
high-level programming.  MySQL, php, Apache, Python, and more.

-----------------

Steve

--
Steve Hargadon
916-899-1400 direct
www.k12computers.com
www.technologyrescue.com