[IAEP] Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing

[Costello, Rob R]

As it happens I did a presentation this morning on various widgets /
code samples / ideas I've written over the years for educational maths
learning

Some of it is in flash, some is other code which is even less compatible
with linux, coding behind spreadsheets, some touched on Scratch, Logo,
e-toys, Alice

Ironically enough, in this company [which reaches 3000 schools] - day 2
on the job- I know they want concepts more than direct coding efforts -
they have enough dedicated programmers to flesh it out - working out
coherent concepts and direction is more what is needed 

Re IAEP i'm not about to go and master linux so if coding there is the
only credible thing then i'm out of here

I'd hoped to do more testing at least - but I've not been able to broach
the issue while my '99% perspiration' quotient is already consumed so no
loss to anyone there

Thanks to others for the conversations on maths and learning though


> -----Original Message-----
> From: iaep-bounces at lists.sugarlabs.org [mailto:iaep-
> bounces at lists.sugarlabs.org] On Behalf Of David Farning
> Sent: Wednesday, 21 January 2009 3:58 AM
> To: Costello, Rob R
> Cc: iaep
> Subject: Re: [IAEP] Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
> 
> Rob,
> 
> Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent
perspiration.
> 
> Great accomplishments depend not so much on ingenuity as on hard work.
> 
> Working code attracts people who want to code.
> 
> Show me the code.
> 
> Is there a similar expression in the domain of education?
> 
> FWIW, I am neither a programmer nor an educator.  I just find the
> intersection between education and technology full of untapped
> potential.
> 
> david
> 
> On Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 1:12 AM, Costello, Rob R
> <Costello.Rob.R at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:
> > I see there are 6 descriptors on the getting involved page
> >
> > Only one of them seems primarily about 'working code' - which I
doubt
> > that many educators have contributed to. Just interested discussion
and
> > practical experience.
> >
> > Personally, I hope to get into this more fully, this year, now my
work
> > has hopefully down-shifted a gear, intensity wise,  (ironically
taking
> > me out of the classroom where I was always hoping to trial it, and
into
> > development of educational maths software)
> >
> > Yes, I can see that without the technical systems up and working
there
> > is no project ...so its necessary, but not sufficient, to just build
it
> >
> > consider the popularity of this immensely impractical advice
> > http://google.decenturl.com/shipbuilding
> >
> > engaging teachers and getting traction in schools will continue to
be a
> > critical challenge, I think. It's the same reason that the Dynabook
> > vision isn't yet realised - this is as much a cultural as a
technical
> > challenge.
> >
> > I've already learnt a lot here thrashing out some ideas with some
here
> >
> > Pity to douse that cause it not solid coding - frustrating as that
may
> > be for the solid coders
> >
> > But if being a python developer or linux administrator is the main
game
> > or acid test of commitment, it seems to that the 'education project'
is
> > not really acknowledging the diversity of all 6 types ...which is
not so
> > good for 'group work'
> >
> > I'm encouraged I guess, that Papert et al seem at times almost
> > indulgently philosophical on the challenges of using new systems and
the
> > inertia of schooling, as well as no doubt also being technical gurus
-
> > seems the big ideas are needed as well as the practical
implementation
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Rob
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: iaep-bounces at lists.sugarlabs.org [mailto:iaep-
> >> bounces at lists.sugarlabs.org] On Behalf Of David Farning
> >> Sent: Sunday, 18 January 2009 6:01 AM
> >> To: iaep
> >> Subject: [IAEP] Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
> >>
> >> In survey after survey, when schools ask employers what skills
their
> >> graduates are lacking 'working in groups' is always near the top of
> >> the list.
> >>
> >> It has always struck me as odd that, after more than 20 years of
> >> individual student work, a three credit class in group dynamics is
> >> expected to fill that role.
> >>
> >> One on the most prevalent models for studying group dynamics is
> >> Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing.  While the model is not
able
> >> to  perfectly represent Sugar Labs, it is still worth studying.
> >>
> >> Forming - The group comes together.  Members have different
> >> expectations.  Goals are not yet clearly defined.  In open source
> >> terminology, participants are trying to figure out how to scratch
> >> their itch. Some people may find that contributing to Sugar Labs
> >> scratches their personal itch.  Some may not.
> >>
> >> Storming - Because of the differing expectations and poorly defined
> >> goals, conflict arises.  This conflict was present at the November
> >> SugarCamp.  Rather than Rub salt in old wounds, I will ask you to
> >> reexamine the events leading up to, the discussions at, and the
blame
> >> following SugarCamp.  We must acknowledge that the storming is
> >> uncomfortable for many people.
> >>
> >> Norming - As XOCamp wraps up, we are transitioning into the norming
> >> phase.  We have established some high level goals and have set some
> >> expectations for behavior within the project.  The most important
of
> >> these behaviors will be the notion of 'Show me the code', or
'Patches
> >> welcome.'
> >>
> >> Performing -  Once we have firmly established a respect for working
> >> code, which we can then improve, rather then grand ideas, we will
be
> >> well along the way towards being a productive community.
> >>
> >> thanks
> >> david
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!)
> >> IAEP at lists.sugarlabs.org
> >> http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
> >
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> > _______________________________________________
> > IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!)
> > IAEP at lists.sugarlabs.org
> > http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
> >
> _______________________________________________
> IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!)
> IAEP at lists.sugarlabs.org
> http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep

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