Computer Education Important Whether It Is An Introductory Course Or Oracle Training

Angelo State University's Porter Henderson library greeted bright young children last Saturday to provide computer training. According to a GoSanAngelo.com report, twelve middle school students were chosen to attend workshops for 3 Saturdays. This move is a significant part of the Texas Open Source Project (TexOS) that gives computers to intelligent youngsters in need of assistance. The undertaking is the invention of Brian Beck and John Wegner of the CITR (Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research). John Wegner is the director of the CITR while Brian Beck is a technology instruction expert for the Angelo State University.

Spreading the OSS mindset

The leading motive of the project is to introduce students to OSS (Open Source Software) that offers availability to close to 30,000 programs available for free. Pupils can access these codes and change them in accordance with their requirements. They are able to also use these programs for instructional learning and share them with others cost-free. Computer education is given worth whether it's a straightforward introductory course or a complex java classes, oracle classes or python classes. The Open Source Software is also looked upon as a mindset where people can learn and share tools to innovate. Brian Beck claims that the program is a great way to make students think outside the box and help improve their adaptive skills.

The program was designed to teach students to use computers for schoolwork and assignments in subjects ranging from chemistry to calculus. The instruction will expose students to a great deal of software that enables them to become self-reliant and strengthen their problem solving skills. Wegner is also an English associate professor at ASU and works in concert with the faculty to include technology into the programs. The training course also helps students view technology as a tool to create, innovate and share all new concepts among fellow students. The inspiration for the project was based on an equivalent program called the HeliOS Project which was introduced in Austin.

Choosing the children

The program is principally intended for children belonging to low income families that cannot afford access to computers in their home. The young people were selected dependant upon their needs along with academic performance on the condition that they go back to the program and guide other children obtain knowledge. Young people who didn't previously have access to computers and internet can now use the OSS for creating presentations, graphic designing, video editing and animation. Wegner and Beck obtained some help from local charitable organizations such as CREO, Lions Club, NAACP and West Texas Organizing Strategy.

What the parents have to say

The parents and teachers of the chosen children have indicated their deep appreciation to the program and its founders. Wegner and Beck are also really interested in meeting with the parents to discuss the advancements of each youngster. Students are now benefiting by using simple tutorials. Quite a few parents are grateful that OSS provides their youngsters with simplified calculator functions that will help with advanced math subjects such as calculus. Wegner and Beck are now considering broadening the program to other age groups such as high school kids.