1st of all i believe slashdot should have an area for this kind of thing Teacher Resources, Computer Education...ect 1) Have the class write/type a small essay on what they believe hacking and hackers is about (Hopefully they don't watch MTV's True Life) After they hand in their assingment have them do some research i will list a few good keywords (no not AOL keywords..you dolt!) (a)Hackers Manifesto (b)Hacking Ethics (c)The Jargon Dictionary - http://www.netmeg.net/jargon/ (d)Hacker News Network (for recent info) (e)(anything else someone might add in a reply that i mmight have missed) The next day have the class write another essay on what they think hacking and hackers are, as you should see (if they did their homework) a dramatic change in the way the feel towards the hacking culture should appear. 2) Though not an original idea a great feeling of accomplisment can be felt be programing your own version of PONG!!! After they are finished with this simple program tell them that for the next (insert time here) the class will be holding a contest to see who can make the most of their flavor of pong, have the judging of games done by students in your other AP courses to rule out voting for themselves. This type of contest should promote some unique innovation and creativity as the contest rages on and progress is made you should be pleased by the individuality shown in each game (if not these students are lacking skills needed to make it in the ranks of programmers, i usually see these are not problems with creativity but an intellectual / emotional burden on that individuals ability to express themselves freely, try asking them whats bothering them politely as possible) I allmost forgot to mention prizes for the winners of each class, i reccomend giving them some free time on the web (a class or so) and possibly stop the e-mail blocks (its invaluble sometimes to be able to access your mail while in school, i also reccomend you do this for your classroom only as it might create a problem with other teachers) To give me a job at slashdot e-mail me at: AthenEternal@netscape.net To send me comments or flames e-mail me at: AthenEternal@netscape.net
Slashdot Mirror
1st of all i believe slashdot should have an area for this kind of thing Teacher Resources, Computer Education...ect 1) Have the class write/type a small essay on what they believe hacking and hackers is about (Hopefully they don't watch MTV's True Life) After they hand in their assingment have them do some research i will list a few good keywords (no not AOL keywords..you dolt!) (a)Hackers Manifesto (b)Hacking Ethics (c)The Jargon Dictionary - http://www.netmeg.net/jargon/ (d)Hacker News Network (for recent info) (e)(anything else someone might add in a reply that i mmight have missed) The next day have the class write another essay on what they think hacking and hackers are, as you should see (if they did their homework) a dramatic change in the way the feel towards the hacking culture should appear. 2) Though not an original idea a great feeling of accomplisment can be felt be programing your own version of PONG!!! After they are finished with this simple program tell them that for the next (insert time here) the class will be holding a contest to see who can make the most of their flavor of pong, have the judging of games done by students in your other AP courses to rule out voting for themselves. This type of contest should promote some unique innovation and creativity as the contest rages on and progress is made you should be pleased by the individuality shown in each game (if not these students are lacking skills needed to make it in the ranks of programmers, i usually see these are not problems with creativity but an intellectual / emotional burden on that individuals ability to express themselves freely, try asking them whats bothering them politely as possible) I allmost forgot to mention prizes for the winners of each class, i reccomend giving them some free time on the web (a class or so) and possibly stop the e-mail blocks (its invaluble sometimes to be able to access your mail while in school, i also reccomend you do this for your classroom only as it might create a problem with other teachers) To give me a job at slashdot e-mail me at: AthenEternal@netscape.net To send me comments or flames e-mail me at: AthenEternal@netscape.net