[OSGeo-Edu] Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] experience using FOSS4G live-dvd in teaching FOSS GIS

[Charlie Schweik]

One other follow-up comment to Maning's post:

Does the OSGeo data group have any inventory of data online that we 
should be linking to on the educational pages?

Or if not, should we consider using or developing an input form like 
what Tyler Mitchell developed for our educational material for the 
submission of legally-sharable local datasets? If this is done, it 
should absolutely be linked to the Educational initiative.

Thanks all-

Charlie

On Feb 27, 2009, at 10:16 PM, maning sambale wrote:
>>
>> the GRASS sample dataset, because I want local sample data for my
>> exercise. My datasets are just a landsat image and a dem.  The
>> exercises are as follows:
>>
>> Part 1  Open GRASS and QGIS - load vector and raster layers, saving
>> project files
>> Part 2  Editing GRASS vectors and rasters  (v.digit, r.contour, 
>> r.shaded.relief)
>> Part 3  Remote sensing based-classification (v.to.rast, i.group,
>> i.gensigset, i.samp, r.reclass, r.report)
>> Part 4  Map layout and visualization (QGIS map composer, NVIZ)

>>
>> The initial plan was to do everything GUI, but I had to move to grass
>> terminal when we did the image classification because QGIS doesn't
>> have the i.smap in the grass toolbox plugin.  Anyway, this provided me
>> the opportunity to show the advantages of using the CLI.  At the end
>> of the session, I showed them that by understanding CLI commands of
>> grass, you can actually paste every command to a text file, run a bash
>> script, implement all the exercise including map layout we did for 3
>> hours, in just several seconds!  The reaction was: "Hey, I can do more
>> work with GRASS while drinking my beer!"
>>
>> Reminds me of xkcd: http://xkcd.com/303/ ;-)
>>
>> The overall experience was good and I believe I was able to
>> demonstrate FOSS Geo's power over the $25,000 esri stack they
>> currently have (the DVDs I bought and distributed was just a little
>> over $1!).
>>
>> Some thoughts (and requests) on improving my subsequent FOSS Geo demos:
>> 1.  I can't get the live-dvd running laptop to display to the LCD
>> projector.  I had to use another windows laptop for the presentation
>> and GRASS/QGIS demo.  Is there way to fix that in the live-dvd? Or is
>> it the projector?
>> 2.  If the live-dvd running laptop works on the lcd projector, I can't
>> show my presentation slides because it has no openoffice impress
>> (which is correct to strip down the size).  Is it possible for future
>> release of the live-dvd to at least add a pdf reader?  This way I can
>> convert my presentation slides to a pdf document and I won't be
>> needing another machine for my slide presentation.
>> 3.   It is best to use local datasets, participants can "relate" to
>> the data better.  Although my sample data are just a landsat image and
>> a dem, I was able to demonstrate how to produce several map layers
>> with GRASS and QGIS (landcover, hillshading, contours, etc).
>> 4.  Never underestimate the power of showing newbies the CLI.  I
>> usually hide the CLI when introducing FOSS Geo to noobs for fear that
>> they might be overwhelmed with the cryptic commands with no menus and
>> icons to click-on.
>>
>> If others have some experience and tips in teaching FOSS Geo, please
>> share them here.
>>
>> -- 
>> cheers,
>> maning
>> ------------------------------------------------------
>> "Freedom is still the most radical idea of all" -N.Branden
>> wiki: http://esambale.wikispaces.com/
>> blog: http://epsg4253.wordpress.com/
>> ------------------------------------------------------
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