Presentation: Working in Ubuntu

In my 75 minute presentation on Monday I introduced the learners to Ubuntu. The individual sections of my presentation comprised cognitive and behavioral learning outcomes. Those sections included:

1. Working in Ubuntu
2. Navigating through Ubuntu
3. LibreOffice
4. Apps for Ubuntu and Special Activity (TopTenWiki)

The first section, 1. Working in Ubuntu, was centered around the trainer as he lectured while the learners watched and listened. By giving visual and hands-on examples during each part of my lecture, learners stayed focused and hopefully found it easier to absorb some of the technical content of the presentation. The second section consisted of informational and operational learning. Learners were asked to follow along as the trainer navigated through Ubuntu. By navigating to the most basic components of Ubuntu, such as the settings panel, the home folder, the dash board, the software center, and the terminal, I was able to introduce the learners to Ubuntu's basic functions. The third section picked up on where the second left off and was conducted by my team mate.

Special Activity: TopTenWiki

The final section of our presentation consisted of guided practice and our special activity. The learners were asked to choose and install any software they like via Ubuntu's software center. Upon making their decision they were asked to share their choice with the rest of the class. The result was a list of applications for Ubuntu that we were then able to add to our TopTenWiki page, which lists the top applications for Ubuntu, the iPad, and open source ideas that we brainstormed on Friday. All learners have access to the account needed to make changes to the lists.

I think the Ubuntu presentation went very well and featured a combination of different learning outcomes. The learners did not seem confused and by adding a lot of freedom to the individual exercises we managed to keep the training interesting and fun. By creating spreadsheets and documents and by downloading and installing software and capturing some of those individual choices on a website that can be accessed even after training has ended, the learners were able to look back onto something that they have created which I believe is the very purpose of making training objectives measurable.