Hi All,
Yesterday I did my 2 hour workshop and one hour presentation at the CUELA Tech
Fair. I want to thank all of you who helped me solve some of the problems I was
having with the software.
My one hour presentation about OLPC and volunteering was great. Folks were
interested, asked a lot of questions, and learned a lot. Some were even talking
about the possibility of applying for the Contributors Program.
The two-hour workshop about software was a bit disappointing. It has been a
long time since I have done anything in that timeframe. I found that I rushed
through a lot of things and I actually finished about 30 min early. There was
no way to warn folks that they needed to bring their laptops and usb thumb
drives and, though some did, we had to rely on the XOs and the Dell PCs that
were in the lab. Also the internet connection we were supposed to have failed.
However I did introduce them to Sugar, explained the ins and outs of making the
live CDs and usb SoaS, had them try Etoys on the XOs or their laptops, made
Etoys to go usbs for those who had brought sticks, and downloaded it to those
who didn't but had their laptops with them. Two of them also asked me to me
download Maple_Syrup to their laptops.I wrote myself a note based on the
workshop which I will paste below so you can learn from my mistakes! Actually,
I knew I should do all of the things listed. Some were impossible, due to
circumstances which I could not control. Some of the things, I did do. Some I
just forgot! Yesterday I was swearing, "Never again to 2 hour workshops," but
now, I think I would like to try it again.I will put some notes into my
presentation and post it so you can borrow freely from it if you like. Give me
a couple of days. I'll also put the list I have here on the wiki when I figure
out where it should go. If anyone wants to add to it, please do. Please
remember, this is a generic guide, not specific to any particular workshop.
Grannie B/Caryl
General things to do to make a better hands-on workshop
Before the workshop:
Know what the facility will be like
size and set up of room
type of equipment
what will you need to bring
Participants will need to know several days before
whether to bring a laptop or netbook (if they have one)
what blank media they will need to bring
CDs or DVDs
usb thumb-drives (size)
Be sure the facility is ready
Equipment working properly
Nearby restrooms opened
Find out how to get help if needed
Spend time at the beginning:
Introduce self and topic
Slides (a few)
Housekeeping notes
restroom location
break policy
explain about assistance with cleanup at the end
Have participants introduce selves. Ask things that would be helpful
to know for the workshop
such as...
what level and subject do they teach?
what computers do they use?
what software do they use and what do they do with it?
what would they like software to be able to do for them and/or
their students
what are their reasons for choosing this workshop?
Overview and background of what they will be learning in the workshop
(slides)
Set up working groups of at least 2 participants
Some ways to set it up
by abilities (bend the line)
by grade and or subject (sort)
participants choose
random (draw #s)
During the workshop:
Break the tasks up into small modules
Encourage participants to wait for instructions
Be sure all participants understand what they are supposed to
be doing
Enlist co-presenters or assistants to help
Take photos!
Enlist co-presenters or assistants to help
At Close of the workshop:
Participants finish project and return to their origninal places
Put away all equipment and materials
Return furniture to its original position if it was moved
Quick review (slides)
What they did
What they can do with their project (feedback)
What else would they like to be able to do
Suggestions for other workshops
Other resources
Congratulate them for their accomplishments
Thank them for coming
Hand out anything else you have to give them before they leave
##
_______________________________________________
IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!)
[email protected]
http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
