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

Contact:

andreasmeiszner@spi.ptor

A.Meiszner@open.ac.uk