PowerPoint Presentation
HOW TO ENGAGE STUDENTS
IN REAL
OPEN SOURCE
PROJECTS
Scott Wilson
Apache Committer
Service Manager, OSS Watch
GSoC Mentor
Researcher, University of Bolton
@scottbw
[email protected]
[email protected]
You want to know how to use open source projects in your
classes
Im going to suggest one way to do it from week one, with no coding
required
HOW DID I GET HERE?
How an ASF committer and researcher got involved in undergraduate
teaching
CPU4000
Core Skills Module
First year, first semester
Traditionally boring stuff like how to use library, how to do
referencing in an essay. Involved lots of lectures
Moved to inquiry based learning on open source projects
Results
Run now for 3 home cohorts of 25-45 students plus 2
international cohorts
Some students produced fantastic work! Some needed to be unstuck
:)
Notable increase in motivation
5 TIPS
1.
START WITH SOFT SKILLS, NOT CODE
open source is primarily about communities and collaboration
You dont need coding skills to: file a bug report ask for help
on a list or forum correct the documentation improve graphics
localization test browser compatibility
These are all things open source projects value highly
And the truth is, not all computing students will end up as
developers.
And they probably wont find that out until later
2.
LET STUDENTS PICK THEIR OWN PROJECTS*
*yes, non-apache ones! And especially not my-favourite-project
We need to build enthusiasm and develop a sense of ownership
Working on software is more fun if its for something youre
interested in already, like music, sport, games, art, sharing pics
of cats
Give up control now, while you still can :)
3.
TEACH HOW TO READ A PROJECT
Know how to check for signs of life in a project
Get students familiar with finding source code, subscribing to
mailing lists, navigating an issue tracker, and using tools like
ohloh
these are fundamental skills to build on later
4.
GET STUDENTS INTERACTING WITH THE PROJECT COMMUNITY -
NOT THE LECTURER
Youve got other things to do, and its not like youre an expert
on all the software ever written
Start simple: try to download and install the software, and if
you get stuck, ask for help on the list or forum -
NOT THE LECTURER
but you can help students understand list etiquette
UR CODE SUX. HELP INSTALL PLZ
5.
ASSESS PUBLIC INTERACTIONS
Authentic assessment!
By which I mean things like issue tracker reports, conversations
on mailing lists and forums, and any patches (probably to doc)
You can use a learning (b)log, patchwork text, or whatever youre
comfortable with. Even roll it into a traditional essay.
START WITH SOFT SKILLS, NOT CODE
LET STUDENTS PICK THEIR OWN PROJECTS
TEACH HOW TO READ A PROJECT
GET STUDENTS INTERACTING WITH THE PROJECT COMMUNITY - NOT THE
LECTURER
ASSESS PUBLIC INTERACTIONS
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