Floss As A Learning Environment
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Transcript of Floss As A Learning Environment
Learning the Open Source Way
FLOSS as a learning environment
OpenLearn 2007 conference Milton Keynes, UK – 29.10.2007
Free / Libre Open Source Software - FLOSSFree / Libre Open Source Software - FLOSS
●FLOSS communities are today known for producing good quality software using a different development approach than proprietary software producer. ●FLOSS is built by a community of volunteers and might be backed by companies that generate their revenues by providing services related to the software. ●In more recent years FLOSS communities also gained attention for their community production and support models and regarding their way of knowledge creation and learning. ●FLOSS communities possess many characteristics that educational settings seek to apply.
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Floss Communities as Learning EnvironmentsFloss Communities as Learning Environments
●Open and inclusive ethos: everyone can participate, no charges, no deadlines, life long participation●Up to date content; everyone can add, edit and update the content ●Materials are usually the product of many authors with many contributions from people other than authors●Frequent releases and updates where product features and community structures are the result of a continuous re-negotiation / reflection process within a continuous development cycle●Prior learning outcomes and processes are systematically available through mailing lists, forums, commented code and further instructional materials (re-use)●A large support network; provided voluntarily by the community member in a collaborative manner nearly 24/7●Free Riders (lurker) welcome paradox – the more the better●New ICT solutions are adapted early by the community
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
So, how is it in FLOSS?So, how is it in FLOSS?
And what might be relevant?And what might be relevant?
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
The community factorThe community factor
Apache community – Source Faz.net, Author unknown
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
A large variety of information spaces – outsideA large variety of information spaces – outside
FLOSS Community Places (source http://innovationcreators.com/wp/?p=70
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
A large variety of information spaces – insideA large variety of information spaces – inside
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Individual learning, community support,...Individual learning, community support,...
Learning is happening...
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
... product development, or off topic socialisation spaces... product development, or off topic socialisation spaces
... in a larger context...
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
... provided by and for the community... provided by and for the community
... and a larger community
117 new members within 4h41m
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Community support servicesCommunity support services
User help user; a double gain where both learn; lurkers welcome
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Where community support meets content productionWhere community support meets content production
Providing support leads to the production of knowledge
bases that serve as a base for the production of
instructional materials and help in definition of product
requirements and improvement
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Where community support meets content productionWhere community support meets content production
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Don't produce if you can re-use!
Where community support meets content productionWhere community support meets content production
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Where community support meets content productionWhere community support meets content production
The different roles of bugs: nasty evil and community builder
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Where community support meets content productionWhere community support meets content production
The value of feedback and discourse – anyone asked for further bugs?
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Developer the small core of the communityDeveloper the small core of the community
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Types of content – it's not only bugsTypes of content – it's not only bugs
... but it seems to be simple and yet working out
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Types of content – it's not only bugsTypes of content – it's not only bugs
...and it's not about state-of-the-art technology, but...?
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Types of content – it's not only bugsTypes of content – it's not only bugs
... and it's produced
by the help of EVERYONE
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Types of content – it's not only bugsTypes of content – it's not only bugs
... and under current reconsideration of processes and structures
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Types of content – it's not only bugsTypes of content – it's not only bugs
... but it records and displays
the most basic questions, answers
and the way towards them – so they
can be re-used by others
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Re-use – benefit from what others did and experiencedRe-use – benefit from what others did and experienced
... code, materials, templates, tutorials, discussions,
reflections, problem solving processes and solutions, ...
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Reviewed by peers Reviewed by peers
... for core contributions, individual modifications or on other occasions
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Core, modularity and 3Core, modularity and 3rdrd party add ons party add ons
Users do have the option to develop their
own modules, or to discuss and suggest
new features
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Modules, extensions, add-ons...Modules, extensions, add-ons...
Modularity allows participation at a low entry level
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
... to enhance the core product... to enhance the core product
Where modules might even have 3rd party sub-modules
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
So what does this show?So what does this show?
FLOSS Principles for formal education?!?
●Content is not something static but dynamic●Learning resources are manifold●Users are also active creators●Support and learning resources are closely connected ●Open and transparent structures foster re-use and discourse, but also continuous improvement and evolutionary growth●Existence of a wide range of possible activities to engage at around the core product●Self-studying and learning from what others did are the pre-dominant form of learning
Learning the open source way – the floss approach
Thank you!
Further information at: www.flosscom.net
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