Research on open source software intended to promote its usage in education

The paper deals with the use of open source software in education. Open source software is used more and more all over the world. Linux, Mozilla, MySQL, OpenOffice.org etc. are very well-known packages. A lot of open source programs are developed especially for educational purposes: virtual learning environments, editors, simulators, microworlds, subject-based learning applications, etc. The main problem of this field is to involve educators and policy makers to disseminate effectively information about open source, and to bring students and teachers together for improving open code. The investigations on open source are being fulfilled in a few Lithuanian institutions. The main objectives are to validate the economic and pedagogical utility of open source software in schools.Education for the 21 st century - impact of ICT and Digital Resources ConferenceRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Localization of Learning Objects in Mathematics

Mathematics learning seems to be a demanding and time-consuming task for many learners. Information and communication technology (ICT) is an attractive tool of learning for students at any level and it can provide an effective atmosphere for understanding mathematics. The question is how to combine mathematics teaching contents, approaches, curricula, and syllabus with new media. The key issue in European educational policy (and other countries as well) is exchange and sharing digital learning resources (learning objects) among countries. In order to accumulate the practice of various countries and use the best digital resources created by different countries, it is necessary to localize learning objects (LO). The paper deals with some problems connected with localization of LO, developed for mathematics education, and presents some solution. Software localization is mainly referred to as language translation (e.g., translation of user interface texts and help documents). However, there are many other important elements depending on the country and people who will use the localized software. In this paper, the main attention is paid to localization of learning objects used for teaching and learning mathematics

Research on open source software intended to promote its usage in education

The paper deals with the use of open source software in education. Open source software is used more and more all over the world. Linux, Mozilla, MySQL, OpenOffice.org etc. are very well-known packages. A lot of open source programs are developed especially for educational purposes: virtual learning environments, editors, simulators, microworlds, subject-based learning applications, etc. The main problem of this field is to involve educators and policy makers to disseminate effectively information about open source, and to bring students and teachers together for improving open code. The investigations on open source are being fulfilled in a few Lithuanian institutions. The main objectives are to validate the economic and pedagogical utility of open source software in schools.Education for the 21 st century - impact of ICT and Digital Resources ConferenceRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Self-assessing of the emotional intelligence and organizational intelligence in schools

The paper presents the results of an evaluation of the Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Organisational Intelligence (OI) competences self-assessment tools developed and applied by the IGUANA1 project. In the paper Emotional Intelligence and Organisational Intelligence competences are discussed, their use in action research experiments to assess and support the development of innovation in schools is presented, together with the results of these experiments. The paper also discusses how innovation support in schools was linked to a 'Theory of Change' approach in the IGUANA project and applied to support innovation plans developed by Portuguese and Lithuanian schools. Finally, the results of the use of the Theory of Change approach are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Integrated Environment for Learning Objects Design and Storing in Semantic Web

There is a variety of tools and environments for Learning Objects (LOs) design and delivery as well as learning object repositories (LOR) but the researchers could not find a repository that includes both functions: creation and storing of LOs. A number of different integrated learning systems are suggested for users that demonstrate the variety of e-learning methods and semantic capabilities. LO repository oer.ndma.lt/lor, that we are going to present, is very friendly and interoperable to use and assure LO design, search in semantic web, adaptation of the re-used objects and storing. There are no more existing LO repositories with the functionality presented by researchers. Transformation of closed education into open one without existence of well-structured, multifunctional and integrated environment becomes problematic. Authors will present an integrated environment for the LO design, search in semantic web, adaptation and storing of newly designed or re-designed LO. Measures will support the transformation of closed education into open and will assure effective design, re-usability and adaptation of LO in the integrated environment

Focus on the Pedagogical Dimension in ICT Literacy for Teachers

This paper was presented at the IFIP Working Groups 3.1 and 3.3 Working Conference: ICT and the Teacher of the Future, held at St. Hilda's College, The University of Melbourne, Australia 27 --31 st January, 2003. Reproduction for academic, not-for profit purposes permitted provided this text is include

Short Tasks for Scaffolding Computational Thinking by the Global Bebras Challenge

The short task methodology enhances the Bebras constructive environment, and provides an emotional context that triggers the convolution of initially biased mental models and corresponding emotional reactions into an unbiased set of conceptual models for informatics education. This provides the motivation of our research–to explore the process of pedagogical design of short informatics concept-based tasks from the standpoint of mindset formation, which allows one to build conceptual models for CT education. The aim of the research is to gain a conceptual understanding of what a short task is in the context of the global Bebras Challenge initiative. We explore the principles which should underlie the pedagogical design of short tasks for informatics education that scaffold CT. Exploration of a number of practical examples of the Bebras short tasks is the background of our research methodology. The results include an analysis of the structure of short tasks, focusing on the interaction of mental models, conceptual models, and heuristics inherent in the task design. The discussion provides a comprehensive insight into the issues of the short tasks in relation to CT and the Bebras environment. We conclude with recommendations for organizing an effective pedagogical design of a short task