Linux from Scratch for Schools

Hairyloon · 06-10-2010, 06:10 PM

I have for a long time thought that skools should use Linux, and I suddenly realised that the best way to the kids the ins and outs of a computer would be to have them build their own operating system.
I'm not sure what age they'd want to be doing that, probably different for different kids.

Are you chaps well ahead of me and about to say there is a big project underway that is already doing this?
I do hope so.

crts · 06-10-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hairyloon

I have for a long time thought that skools ...

It's spelled school. Why would you misspell it on purpose?

druuna · 06-11-2010, 02:12 AM

Hi,

As crts pointed out already: Don't mind linux, learn to spell first.....

A quick search should have given you some general answers to your comments. Here are some links:

http://www.schoolforge.net/
Linux from Kindergarten to High School
Linux in Italian Schools, Part 1

LFS isn't mentioned, but I do believe LFS isn't suitable at that age (kindergarten/pre-school). Learning about computers and working with them is (be it linux/os-x/windows/...). Building your own might be a next step for those that are interested.

Hairyloon · 06-11-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna

LFS isn't mentioned, but I do believe LFS isn't suitable at that age...

I believe you might be right: I think LFS is not what I thought it was... there is nothing similar that is kept up to date?

XavierP · 06-11-2010, 06:51 PM

How about Kiddix or SkoleLinux?

And as this is no longer an LFS related thread, I have moved it to Linux-General.

Hairyloon · 07-28-2010, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XavierP

How about Kiddix or SkoleLinux?

Think you're missing the point there.
The idea is that the children learn the fundamentals of a computer system by building one... one of the principal ideas behind LFS (I thought).
OK, maybe not for the mainstream kids, but a good idea for those studying computers.

Quote:

And as this is no longer an LFS related thread, I have moved it to Linux-General.

Fair enough.

zirias · 07-28-2010, 05:33 AM

I don't think you really learn much by following a book and typing in a lot of commands. If I wanted to teach KIDS something about computers -- things like lego mindstorms come to mind. There are a lot of ideas around simplified models, see for example here:
http://teachcomputers.wordpress.com/category/hardware/

I personally found something like the directly programmable user port of the C64 VERY helpful, maybe one could do similar things nowadays using virtual machines or specially tailored USB devices.

jefro · 07-28-2010, 03:58 PM

Maybe we should teach them the 3 R's again?

MrUmunhum · 07-29-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zirias

I don't think you really learn much by following a book and typing in a lot of commands. If I wanted to teach KIDS something about computers -- things like lego mindstorms come to mind. There are a lot of ideas around simplified models, see for example here:
http://teachcomputers.wordpress.com/category/hardware/

I personally found something like the directly programmable user port of the C64 VERY helpful, maybe one could do similar things nowadays using virtual machines or specially tailored USB devices.

Do a Google search for "deboot build'. I have found 'How Tos' for both Fedora and Debian. Reasonable documentation.