Foundation:Planning:Education: Difference between revisions

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We think that education can help us reach this goal by helping more people to:
We think that education can help us reach this goal by helping more people to:


# Understand and use (Mozilla's?) open source work methods
# Understand and use open source work methods practiced by Mozilla and other projects
# Learn about and build with open web and Mozilla technologies
# Learn about and build with open web and Mozilla technologies
# Participate in Mozilla and other open source projects  
# Participate in Mozilla and other open source projects  
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# '''education.mozilla.org''' where all Mozilla courseware and learning information can be found.  
# '''education.mozilla.org''' where all Mozilla courseware and learning information can be found.  


Over time, we hope these programs will also make a broader contribute to creating a new participatory learning model based around open source contribution ... and to work with others who share this vision. However, for now, we want to start with something doable: making a formal link between education, learning and the Mozilla community.  
Over time, we hope these programs will also make a broader contribution to creating a new participatory learning model based around open source contribution, and we hope to work with others who share this vision. However for now we want to start with something doable: making a formal link between education, learning and the Mozilla community.  


The (still under construction) plans for Mozilla Education are detailed on this page, and a number of sub-pages.
The (still under construction) plans for Mozilla Education are detailed on this page and a number of sub-pages.


==Overview==
==Overview==
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=== Intro ===
=== Intro ===


Open source projects help contributors learn incredibly useful skills: how to code; how to collaborate; how to lead in a global community. Despite this, formal links between higher education and open source projects like Mozilla are rare. College and university students who want to take advantage of the resources and mentorship that come with open source development have to do so on their own time.  
Open source projects help contributors learn incredibly useful skills: how to code, how to collaborate, and how to lead in a global community. Despite this, formal links between higher education and open source projects like Mozilla are rare. College and university students who want to take advantage of the resources and mentorship that come with open source development have had to do so on their own time.  


Working with others around the world, Mozilla Education wants to help change this: we want to build systematic links between our projects and the world of education. Over the long haul, we hope that this will help to drive '''a new wave of participatory, student-led learning in fields like computer science, design and business'''. In the shorter term, we believe that we can provide students with '''rich learning opportunities''' while at the same time generating '''new ideas and contributors''' for Mozilla.  
Working with others around the world, Mozilla Education wants to help change this: we want to build systematic links between our projects and the world of education. Over the long haul, we hope that this will help to drive '''a new wave of participatory, student-led learning in fields like computer science, design and business'''. In the shorter term, we believe that we can provide students with '''rich learning opportunities''' while at the same time generating '''new ideas and contributors''' for Mozilla.  
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* The [http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/osie-list osie-list mailing list] is a forum for people interested in open source in education and the development of an open source-centric computer science curriculum.
* The [http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/osie-list osie-list mailing list] is a forum for people interested in open source in education and the development of an open source-centric computer science curriculum.
* The [http://www.uoc.edu/masters/oficiales/master_oficial_software_libre/master_oficial_software_libre_plan.htm official master on free software] at the Open University of Catalonia has a master thesis course where interaction (in any way) with the free software community is a goal.
* The [http://www.uoc.edu/masters/oficiales/master_oficial_software_libre/master_oficial_software_libre_plan.htm official master on free software] at the Open University of Catalonia has a master thesis course where interaction (in any way) with the free software community is a goal.
* The [http://master.libresoft.es master on free software] at the URJC has several subjects on this topic.
* The [http://master.libresoft.es master on free software] at URJC has several subjects on this topic.
* The [http://theingots.org/ INGOTS] certificates engender participation by making project contribution a requirement of the higher grades. Lower grade also raise awareness of many issue around Open Standards and Open Source projects, especially those relevant to Open Office.
* The [http://theingots.org/ INGOTS] certificates engender participation by making project contribution a requirement of the higher grades. Lower grades also raise awareness of many issue around Open Standards and Open Source projects, especially those relevant to Open Office.
* Perhaps stretching the point but [http://moodle.org/ Moodle] is founded on constructivist and participatory practices and so the community as a whole have a lot of relevant experience and resources.
* This is perhaps stretching the point, but the [http://moodle.org/ Moodle] learning management system is founded on constructivist and participatory practices, and so the Moodle community as a whole has a lot of relevant experience and resources.
* ''What else? Please add additional examples.''
* ''What else? Please add additional examples.''


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[[image:mozeduscribblesmaller.jpg]]
[[image:mozeduscribblesmaller.jpg]]


The elements of this diagram are written our on more detail below. You can also [http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksurman/3220362303/sizes/l/ look at a much bigger version] of this picture.
The elements of this diagram are written our on more detail below. You can also look at a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/marksurman/3220362303/sizes/l/ much bigger version] of this picture.


===Goal: Big Picture===
===Goal: Big Picture===


At the broadest level, Mozilla Education is focused promoting the strategies outlined in the [http://www.mozilla.org/about/manifesto Mozilla Manifesto]. In particular the aim is to ...
At the broadest level Mozilla Education is focused promoting the strategies outlined in the [http://www.mozilla.org/about/manifesto Mozilla Manifesto]. In particular the aim is to


<blockquote>Make openness, participation and distributed decision-making more common experiences in Internet life</blockquote>
<blockquote>Make openness, participation and distributed decision-making more common experiences in Internet life</blockquote>


This is [http://blog.lizardwrangler.com/2009/01/05/integrated-revised-2010-goals/ one of four goals] that Mozilla is aiming to meet by 2010.  
This is one of [http://blog.lizardwrangler.com/2009/01/05/integrated-revised-2010-goals/ four goals] that Mozilla is aiming to meet by 2010.  


===Objectives: Education Program===
===Objectives: Education Program===


We want more and more people to ...
We want more and more people to


# Understand and use (Mozilla's?) open source work methods
# understand and use open source work methods practiced by Mozilla and other projects
# Learn about and build with open web and Mozilla technologies
# learn about and build with open web and Mozilla technologies
# Participate in Mozilla and other open source projects  
# participate in Mozilla and other open source projects  


These ojectives are designed to contribute to the larger goal outlined above.
These ojectives are designed to contribute to the larger goal outlined above.
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===Possible Bonus Effects===
===Possible Bonus Effects===


In addition to these objectives, we're also hoping that Mozilla Education will result in:
In addition to these objectives, we're also hoping that Mozilla Education will result in


# Pool of high quality Mozilla open courseware
# a pool of high quality Mozilla open courseware
# New participatory learning model built around contributing to open source projects  
# a new participatory learning model built around contributing to open source projects  
# Large number of professors skilled at integrating open source prjects and methods into their teaching.
# many professors skilled at integrating open source projects and methods into their teaching


These things aren't our core motivations, but they are still important and useful outcomes to shoot for.  
These things aren't our core motivations, but they are still important and useful outcomes to work towards.  


===2009 Activities===
===2009 Activities===


We are planning a number pilot activities for 2009. These include:  
We are planning a number of pilot activities for 2009. These include:  


# ''' Seneca Expansion / Virtual Seneca''' offering Mozilla learning resources and support to students everywhere.
# ''' Seneca Expansion / Virtual Seneca''' offering Mozilla learning resources and support to students everywhere.
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* Online components developed in Moodle, and reusable for other courses.  
* Online components developed in Moodle, and reusable for other courses.  


This will be an initial experiment in Mozilla education in Europe, and will test the concept of a hybrid course combining classroom and online instruction. It may be possible to make this course partly self sufficient financially.
This will be an initial experiment in Mozilla education in Europe, and will test the concept of a hybrid course combining classroom and online instruction. It may be possible to make this course partly self-sufficient financially.


=== Online Mozilla Courses===
=== Online Mozilla Courses===
   
   
The [[Foundation:Planning:Education:CommunityCourses| Community Courses]] initiative will create an ongoing series of online courses on topics where Mozilla a) has expertise and b) needs more skilled contributors. For the pilot phase, the approach would include:
The [[Foundation:Planning:Education:CommunityCourses| Community Courses]] initiative will create an ongoing series of online courses on topics where Mozilla a) has expertise and b) needs more skilled contributors. For the pilot phase we propose the following approach:


* Short online courses on topics like: community marketing; open web technologies; localization; community management; design for open source projects. Our goal is to have up to three courses during the pilot period.
* We would create and operate short online courses on topics like community marketing, open web technologies, localization, community management, and design for open source projects. Our goal is to have up to three courses during the pilot period.
* Participants would be either new Mozilla volunteers or people who simply want to understand how Mozilla gets things done. Some might be students registered for an independent study program at their universities.  
* Participants would be either new Mozilla volunteers or people who simply want to understand how Mozilla gets things done. Some might be students registered for an independent study program at their universities.  
* Each course would build a learning framework around existing Mozilla activities and materials, with one or more Mozilla contributors leading the course. An academic partner at a college or university might co-lead a course, especially in areas like design where theory would be helpful.  
* Each course would build a learning framework around existing Mozilla activities and materials, with one or more Mozilla contributors leading the course. An academic partner at a college or university might co-lead a course, especially in areas like design where theory would be helpful.  
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* Information on how to get started as a student or professor interested in Mozilla (e.g. Seneca project pool, campus reps program, etc.)
* Information on how to get started as a student or professor interested in Mozilla (e.g. Seneca project pool, campus reps program, etc.)


All the materials in this library would be openly licensed so that students and professors can use or adapt for their own courses. They will would also be able to upload or link to their own Mozilla materials.  
All the materials in this library would be openly licensed so that students and professors can use or adapt for their own courses. They would also be able to upload or link to their own Mozilla materials.  


''[Most if not all of the materials on the proposed site would be created as a byproduct of the other proposed activities. These materials could also be made available and promoted through existing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_educational_resources OER] portals. The Mozilla Education library would also provide a window into the other Mozilla education activities listed above.]''
Most if not all of the materials on the proposed site would be created as a byproduct of the other proposed activities. These materials could also be made available and promoted through existing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_educational_resources OER] portals. The Mozilla Education library would also provide a window into the other Mozilla education activities listed above.


=== Related activities ===
=== Related activities ===
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* The "Integrating FOSS into the undergraduate curriculum" project funded by the National Science Foundation.
* The "Integrating FOSS into the undergraduate curriculum" project funded by the National Science Foundation.


Our plan is to track and participate in these projects where we can add value, in order to take advantage of general resources that can be leveraged in a Mozilla-specific context, make contacts and alliances that might be useful to Mozilla, and promote the general topic of open source and education. We have already agreed to sit on the advisory committee of FOSS Education at Oxford.
Our plan is to track and participate in these projects where we can add value, in order to take advantage of general resources that can be leveraged in a Mozilla-specific context, make contacts and alliances that might be useful to Mozilla, and promote the general topic of open source and education. We have already agreed to sit on the advisory committee of FOSS Education at Oxford and to participate in the "Integrating FOSS into the Undergraduate Curriculum" [http://www.hfoss.org/symposium09/ symposium] planned for March 4 in Chattanooga TN.


== Checkpoints ==
== Checkpoints ==
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* Do we still have confidence in proposed activities now that we have plans and budgets in place? If 'no' for any activity, kill it.
* Do we still have confidence in proposed activities now that we have plans and budgets in place? If 'no' for any activity, kill it.
* Do we have agreement on plans and institutional commitments from Seneca and URJC? If 'no', ask why and potentially reconsider partnership.
* Do we have agreement on plans and institutional commitments from Seneca and URJC? If 'no', ask why and potentially reconsider partnership.
* Do we have people, content and web infrastructure ready to roll for at least one Mozilla Community Course? If 'no', is the problem one of resources or enthusiasm for the project? If enthusiasm, drop this idea.
* Do we have people, content and web infrastructure ready to roll for at least one Mozilla Community Course? If 'no', is the problem one of resources or enthusiasm for the project? If the problem is lack of enthusiasm, drop this idea.
* Are we able to gather compelling and useful content for EMO? If 'no', what is missing? Where do we need to look? Is the idea viable?
* Are we able to gather compelling and useful content for EMO? If 'no', what is missing? Where do we need to look? Is the idea viable?
* Do we have shared versions of basic Seneca tools for use by others, especially prototype student project pool web site and updated Real World Mozilla course?  
* Do we have shared versions of basic Seneca tools for use by others, especially the prototype student project pool web site and the updated Real World Mozilla course?  


=== June 30, 2009 (end of Q2) ===
=== June 30, 2009 (end of Q2) ===
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** In particular, do we see early evidence that students, professors and mentors are planning to use these resources in the 2009/2010 academic year? If 'no', is this an issue of promotion or interest?
** In particular, do we see early evidence that students, professors and mentors are planning to use these resources in the 2009/2010 academic year? If 'no', is this an issue of promotion or interest?
* Do we have the materials and people in place to have a successful first course at URJC? Are students registered?
* Do we have the materials and people in place to have a successful first course at URJC? Are students registered?
* Did people participate in first Mozilla community courses? Did the participating Mozilla projects get useful outcomes? If 'no', do we need to improve our approach or kill this idea?
* How many people participated in the first Mozilla community courses? Did the participating Mozilla projects get useful outcomes? If 'no', do we need to improve our approach or kill this idea?
* Are we starting to see traffic and use on the EMO site? If 'no', does this indicate a lack of interest or a need for improvements?
* Are we starting to see traffic and use on the EMO site? If 'no', does this indicate a lack of interest or a need for improvements?


=== September 30, 2009 (end of Q3) ===
=== September 30, 2009 (end of Q3) ===


* Do we see actual courses or individual student projects starting up with Seneca-resources? If 'yes', do we have the capacity to handle them? If 'no', assess why and adjust future plans accordingly.
* Do we see actual courses or individual student projects starting up with Seneca-provided resources? If 'yes', do we have the capacity to handle them? If 'no', assess why and adjust future plans accordingly.
* Is the pace of Mozilla community courses meeting the needs of the potential audience? What do we need more of? Less of?
* Is the pace of Mozilla community courses meeting the needs of the potential audience? What do we need more of? Less of?
* How useful is the new EMO functionality? If it is not useful, can it be fixed?
* How useful is the new EMO functionality? If it is not useful, can it be fixed?
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=== December 31, 2009 (end of Q4) ===
=== December 31, 2009 (end of Q4) ===


* Did the URJC Mozilla Technology course generate good learning outcomes for participants? Was URJC happy with outcomes? Did we produce re-usable course materials? If 'yes' on most, consider second phase. If 'no', question whether worthwhile to do again.
* Did the URJC Mozilla Technology summer course generate good learning outcomes for participants? Was URJC happy with the outcomes? Did we produce re-usable course materials? If 'yes' on most, consider a second phase. If 'no', question whether this is worthwhile to do again.
* Do any major tweaks need to be made to the Mozilla community courses for 2009? Should we bring all instructor duties inhouse (as part-time or full-time staff)?
* Do any major tweaks need to be made to the Mozilla community courses for 2009? Should we bring all instructor duties in-house (as part-time or full-time staff)?
* Is EMO important enough to evolve into a "first-class object" (e.g., comparable to SUMO, QMO, AMO, MDC) during 2010? If 'yes', this needs to be fully addressed in the 2010 budget.
* Is EMO important enough to evolve into a "first-class object" (e.g., comparable to SUMO, QMO, AMO, MDC) during 2010? If 'yes', this needs to be fully addressed in the 2010 budget.
* What is our overall assessment of Mozilla Education activities in 2009? What are the answers to our core design and thesis questions? In 2010, should we expand, evolve our experiments or kill the program?
* What is our overall assessment of Mozilla Education activities in 2009? What are the answers to our core design and thesis questions? In 2010, should we expand, evolve our experiments or kill the program?
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