The document discusses the implementation and utilization of Ubuntu Linux at the American International School, focusing on providing students with an opportunity to learn an alternative operating system. The author, Kevin Miller Jr., outlines the challenges and successes experienced during the transition to Linux and the teaching methodologies used to engage students in learning Linux command line and web development. The document also emphasizes the importance of preparing students for potential overseas studies, highlighting a goal to further integrate Linux education into lower grade levels.

1. Using Ubuntu Linux at the American International School Kevin Miller, Jr. American International School http://www.ais.edu.vn

2. About American International School AIS is a private college-preparatory school providing an American education to students in Saigon Offers American curriculum in English Student makeup includes Vietnamese and International Students I currently teach 8th, 11 th and 12 th graders as a part-time ICT teacher

3. Why Linux at AIS? Gives AIS students an opportunity to use another operating system Makes students less dependent on Windows Prepares them for US overseas study Many US universities use Linux Personal bias I want my students to learn Linux

4. History of Linux at AIS In the 2007-2008 school year, my 10 th and 11 th Graders used PCLinuxOS with VMWare Player Students learned to SSH'd my PC-BSD Apache server for a couple web projects Virtualbox (Linux Mint) (Ken using PCLinuxOS)

5. All in Command Line Students not allowed to use the GUI All tasks must be completed in the Command Line All images were edited with Imagemagick (My students got used to Konsole)

6. How I got then interested in Linux? iPhone released at beginning of school year Convinced students that they could unlock iPhone on their own They succeeded!!! Got them hooked when I explain iPhone (BSD) and Linux similar

7. Initial Problems VMWare Player was slow on the laptops Not allowed to install Linux on school laptops Virtualbox slow on shared school server at new campus 20 minute bootups Students forced to use Putty SSH to PC-BSD server

8. 2008-2009 School Year 11 th and 12 th Graders required to use laptops or netbooks at AIS Asus promotion for students Eee PC 1000 discounted at $450 US Not popular with faculty, students, and parents Nobody knew how to use Linux EXCEPT ME!!! 2 nd Quarter return to Linux With Ubuntu

9. My Class Requirements 11 th and 12 th Graders must bring laptops or netbooks to class Students must install Ubuntu Linux 8.10: Inside Virtualbox (with Window systems), As a dual partition with Windows, or As a dual partition in their Netbooks Ubuntu eee 8.04.1 Students must keep Window partitions Other AIS teachers use Microsoft applications

10. Why Ubuntu Linux? They already know about Ubuntu Easy to install Great Disk Partitioner Nice eye candy Compiz really sells Easy to use Can use it at home to work on class projects

11. Students Installing Ubuntu (I) Ubuntu 8.10 install on laptop with LiveCD Ubuntu eee 8.04.1 install on EeePC 1000 with unetbootin LiveUSB

12. Students Installing Ubuntu (II) Will need two full weeks to install Ubuntu on all laptops

13. What will they use Ubuntu for? Command Line Install LAMP Web development with XHTML and CSS GIMP Python Popular last school year Django Students working on Python projects

14. Conclusion 11 th and 12 th Graders will have two full school years of Linux experience Hope to introduce Linux to 8 th Graders Use web development and netbooks as carrot Kids love to make websites Other AIS ICT teachers interested in using Linux in the classroom

15. Kevin Miller, Jr. Director – Research & Development VinaConsulting http://www.vina-consulting.com Managing Director Vscapeone http://www.vscapeone.com