[OSGeo-Edu] Formula for collecting education material that works!

[Cameron Shorter]

For the OSGeo-Live DVD we have collected over 40 one page project 
overviews, and over 20 quick start guides, which all use consistent 
formatting.
This content has been collectively contributed from representatives from 
each of the projects.
The key to this success can be applied to training material too.

What we have done with OSGeo-Live is set out a template of exactly what 
we are looking for, including a sample document, with extensive tips on 
how to fill the documentation in.

I've then chased projects to create material, and then followed up by 
reviewing created material and providing feedback to ensure consistency.

I believe this exact formula will work for creating training material too.

1. Have someone create a sample training project, which is used as a 
template for all training documents. This template is targeted at a 
specific training need (eg University course)
2. Add writing tips to the document, in order to make it very easy to 
create the material
3. Get education community review to refine the template
4. Invite communities to build training material in accordance with the 
template.
5. Follow up with review of material to ensure consistency of material


References:
Detailed steps on creating OSGeo-Live docs, including links to templates 
with lots of tips:
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Live_GIS_Add_Project#Application_Overview
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Live_GIS_Add_Project#Application_Quick_Start

In the upcoming Education meeting, I suggest looking for volunteers who 
can commit to creating training templates that others can easily follow.


On 24/07/10 21:32, Charlie Schweik wrote:
> ** PROPOSED OSGEO EDU IRC MEETING AGENDA (See previous email for info 
> on meeting date/time):
>
> I think general goal of this meeting is to get us working together 
> again and get the collaborative energy flowing again. More 
> specifically I think we should try and identify key collaborative 
> priorities for the edu group for this next year that we can take back 
> to people on this broader list. From this, I'd like to revise our 
> group's "todo" list on the wiki [1]
>
> More specific agenda items I have are:
>
> A.  Ideas on how do we encourage more submissions to our educational 
> content inventory. What can we do to get more activity?
>
> B. Can we move to a content management system that allows for "new 
> derivatives" to be created? Is anyone willing to take the lead on 
> this? I think this is particularly important for content where someone 
> could update something based on a new release of a software, or for 
> translations of content, etc. I've been wanting us to move in this 
> direction for several years now, but I'd like to achieve it this year.
>
> C. Educational curriculum. Should we try and move forward on this 
> effort? Should we try and organize our content inventory system to 
> utilize the GIS&T Body of Knowledge framework which we now have 
> permission to use? This is the main task currently on our group's todo 
> list page [1]
>
> D. How do we connect better to software teams? Education is a key to 
> getting their products used...
>
> E. What educational groups might we target better? For example, I 
> think local governments might be a group that we should focus our 
> attention on. This connects to the discussion last year about 
> developing some Webcasts for an interested group in NY State. I 
> dropped the ball on that effort I'm afraid, but I think we should see 
> if we can pick it up again.
>
> F. How do we connect more with Local OSGeo groups? Are they doing 
> educational outreach? If so, can we set up a system where they are 
> sharing what they do through our system?
>
> That's a pretty long list for an IRC chat.
> If you have strong feelings on order or discussion or have other 
> issues you'd like to have us discuss, *please send them to me.*
> If the date/time is agreeable to most everyone (see my previous 
> email), we'll send out IRC instructions next and a final agenda based 
> on feedback I receive.
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Charlie
>
> [1] http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Education_Committee_Work_Program
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Edu_discuss mailing list
> Edu_discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/edu_discuss
>    


-- 
Cameron Shorter
Geospatial Director
Tel: +61 (0)2 8570 5050
Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254

Think Globally, Fix Locally
Geospatial Solutions enhanced with Open Standards and Open Source
http://www.lisasoft.com

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