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How is learning in Free / Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) different from normal education?

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Introduction

Introduction on how learning in FLOSS is different from normal education.

Firstly it is informal and not formal.

This slideshare presentation provides a good overview on some of the differences.

What else is different?

Main Part

Learning in FLOSS might be different to normal education in various way.

- According to a definition "Learning is the organized procedure of knowledge construction on a pre-defined domain". If one accepts this definition, one must consider its details as well:

Organized means a certain linking between the offered "educational chunks", the continuity of the presented aspects, as well as the existence of educational goals and aims.

Procedure means it does not simply happen as a learning instance, but merely it bases on prior cognitive results to proceed to more complicated structures.

Construction explicitly states the constructivist nature of learning.

Pre-defined implies a coverage, a completness of the desired domain, and an inclusion of all neccessary learning activities.

For each of those presented points, one can consider the pending aspect in a FLOSS environment, in order to pinpoint similarities and differences between both models. In other words, how are those "educational components" faded in FLOSS?

Advantages

What works well

Criticism

What does not work that well, what needs to be improved, etc.

Examples

Including practical activities

How could it work in education?

Translation of FLOSS principles to education

- FLOSS learning is different from normal face-to-face learning because it is conducted online. General standards of `Netiquette’ should be observed.

Hurting other participant's feelings is likely to affect productivity.

Summary / Resume

What have we learned here?

Questions

Aspects to be answered

See also

Internal and external links to related resources

Notes and references

Resources used, literature, etc

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