Hi Ray!<br><br>Thanks for taking on this challenge!<br><br>I agree that not everyone thinks that Basals or the methods of instruction in these learning objects are the best approach. However, many people also don't think the constructionist activities are a pragmatic approach because they are so difficult for the teacher to learn to use.<br>
<br>A while back there was a huge argument between teaching reading with Phonics vs Whole Word. Now using both is the accepted best practice.<br><br>So as learning platform providers I want us to provide lots of options. I think if we do the teachers will use both types of programs. <br>
<br>For porting the ClassroomManagement Software, I suggest collaborating with the <a href="mailto:server-devel@lists.laptop.org">server-devel@lists.laptop.org</a> and with Ham and Deds who work with Solution Grove and live in the Philippines. <br>
<br>We have a big problem now that we don't have many people who know both the server side and the Sugar client side. This will be a good learing experience and I'm sure the Sugar people will help.<br><br>Thanks!<br>
Caroline<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 11:44 PM, <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:rayb@apc.edu.ph">rayb@apc.edu.ph</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
Hi, Caroline,<br>
<div class="im"><br>
----- Caroline Meeks <<a href="mailto:caroline@solutiongrove.com">caroline@solutiongrove.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> Hi,<br>
><br>
> I know you guys are aware of the need for content when you deploy. Please<br>
> take a look at this content and see if you think it will be useful in the<br>
> Philippines. If so, I'd appreciate a +1 on the IAEP to let them know you<br>
> need it.<br>
</div>I was wondering what "basals" where, and in googling for the term found out that not everyone thinks they are a good thing: <a href="http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/15_03/Bas153.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/15_03/Bas153.shtml</a><br>
But of course it's the teachers "in the trenches" who can really say.<br>
<div class="im"><br>
> I know you guys also have a lot of technical talent if someone wants to work<br>
> on this directly.<br>
</div>Here, I take it that you are referring to porting the TeacherMate Classroom Management System, as you say in your forwarded message:<br>
<div class="im">> ---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>
> From: Caroline Meeks <<a href="mailto:caroline@solutiongrove.com">caroline@solutiongrove.com</a>><br>
> Date: Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 3:27 PM<br>
> Subject: An Opportunity to bring vital content to the Sugar/XO world - Needs<br>
> technical help.<br>
> To: iaep <<a href="mailto:iaep@lists.sugarlabs.org">iaep@lists.sugarlabs.org</a>>, XS Devel <<a href="mailto:server-devel@lists.laptop.org">server-devel@lists.laptop.org</a>>,<br>
> Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond t <<br>
> <a href="mailto:support-gang@lists.laptop.org">support-gang@lists.laptop.org</a>><br>
><br>
><br>
> We have an opportunity to bring a program of K-2 English Reading and Math<br>
> content to our Sugar users for free.<br>
><br>
> <a href="http://www.innovationsforlearning.org/software_demo.php" target="_blank">http://www.innovationsforlearning.org/software_demo.php</a><br>
><br>
> Ignore the teachermate hardware and the $100 a machine price tag. The<br>
> concept is we make this available for Sugar for free. So if you have XOs or<br>
> a machines you can use with Sugar on a Stick, you can use it for free.<br>
><br>
> If you watch the Classroom management video you'll see they have aligned it<br>
> to major Basal Curriculum programs or it can be used without. It can<br>
> differentiate instruction for groups and students. This is vital<br>
> functionality. We need to port this to the Sugar world, probably by putting<br>
> it on the XS, maybe as a module in Moodle.<br>
</div>I agree that functionality like this (which is quite close to what's provided by Moodle) is useful whatever the instructional content. So, APC accepts the challenge 8^). I was looking at browser-based content development as something we at APC would be comfortable with and propose to work on under the Contributors Program, and this looks like it would fit right in. Integration with the XO would have to wait until we have people up to speed on the technology involved.<br>
<br>
I'll get together with some of our people and work up a proposal.<br>
<br>
Servus,<br>
<br>
Ray<br>
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</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Caroline Meeks<br>Solution Grove<br>Caroline@SolutionGrove.com<br><br>617-500-3488 - Office<br>505-213-3268 - Fax<br>