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Advice On Teaching Linux To CS Freshmen?

Posted by timothy on from the treat-them-like-your-future-boss dept.

copb.phoenix writes "I'm a sophomore Computer Science student teaching computing labs to a freshman class, getting ready to go over the major ins and outs of the Linux terminal and GUI. While I have my own ideas and the professor over this class to lean on, I've found it difficult to get the few students that I've tried to teach in the past to connect the dots and understand how it relates to what they already know about computers. Does anybody out there have any advice on how to engage and inspire our upcoming class? (Perhaps important: Our machines are running Ubuntu Hardy.)"

3 of 467 comments (clear)

  1. They should already know! by frinkacheese · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Really, if they are going to be any good, they will most likely ALREADY know what Linux is and how it works.

    If they don't, really, don't bother them with it. It'll just confuse them.

    1. Re:They should already know! by tomhudson · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Really, if they are going to be any good, they will most likely ALREADY know what Linux is and how it works.

      If they don't, really, don't bother them with it. It'll just confuse them.

      Really, if they are going to be any good, they will most likely ALREADY know what Linux is and how it works.

      That's exactly the approach that makes most people who try Linux give up after a very short time. I personally tried it twice and found any problems I encountered making things work had no simple step by step instructions on how to fix.

      Simple two-step fix:

      1. Don't believe the hype around CrapUontu
      2. Install a distro that has a history or commitment to and contributions to linux, such as opensuse or fedora.

      Keep in mind that Mark Shuttleworth's goals are not the same as the community at large. He wants to see a return on his $20 million. It's why he hired Windows apologist Matt Asay instead of someone deeply involved in the linux community.

  2. Don't by LBArrettAnderson · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Don't. That's what my school did, and it's very representative of the kind of help they'll get online. Have you ever tried to get help in a linux IRC channel? You're more likely to win the lottery and never have to use linux anyway.