[Tfug] Linux Training

[Joel Howard]

Along with my own Linux mentor, Pat Legg, I've completed one "lesson 
plan" for absolute newbies (which I'm not too far from being myself).  
My background is in secondary education, Pat's is more technical, and 
we're hoping to aim our business at training and support (when it rains 
hardware).  I tend to "overplan" with fully stated objectives, support 
activities, etc. (comes from too much crowd control while teaching high 
school). 
My "plan" is partially stolen from Harry's use of Knoppix in his PCC 
classes.  Depending on what kind of a teaching or lab setup is present, 
it could take as little as an hour, but probably two.  With a copy of 
Knoppix running on PCs that can boot it, my objectives for students are:

-Be able to explain in your own words how open source software differs 
from closed source software.

-Be able to exercise enough command line savvy to boot Knoppix, open a 
terminal, utilize basic commands    to navigate directory structure ( 
ls, cd cd /, cd .. , man, cat, whatis, apropos, shutdown , etc.), 
recognize the functions of the directories in a basic Linux root 
directory tree, and be able to "get out" using shutdown or reboot.

I like Knoppix because you can teach in windows labs if the CDs boot.  
If a locale has DSL or something other than dialup, I'd have students 
visit FSF.org, Linux.org, OpenOffice.org, osef.org, (and others, time 
permitting?) to give them a dose of advocacy and understanding of the 
open source concept.  The play with Knoppix is more a teaser than 
anything else.  I keep running into people who don't have a clue what a 
live CD is or what the implications of open source licensing are.  My 
own bias would be to put a lot of advocacy into early work with people 
who are REALLY new to Linux, especially if they intend to stick with 
it.  As a former government teacher and rights advocate, I can see that 
most users (non-Linux, non-BSD) have no concept of their operating 
system being tied to how they get info, what info they can get, or who 
can control that flow (we users or the monopolists?).  I think a lot of 
people would give up their basic rights (privacy, free press, freedom of 
information) for prettier wallpaper, more chrome on their KIA, or for an 
ice cream cone.  Enough of my advocacy bias...

If your students are already somewhat knowledgeable, there really is no 
substitute for Harry's classes at Pima CC.  For me he's been the best, 
and just about the only, ball game in town.
If anyone wants a copy of the lesson plan described above, let me know 
and I'll mail you a copy.
Thanks for listening!
JH

David Klepper wrote:

>Does anyone know of a Linux trainer in the Tucson
>area. That would like to come to our company and teach
>a small IT Dept. Linux fundamentals and Linux System
>Administration. If not can anyone recommend a good
>training school/camp.
>
>Thank you,
>David Klepper
>
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