RFC for FSFE Edu-Team mission statement

[Guido Arnold]

Hello all,

Although the Edu-Team has been active again, there was no consistent
answer to the question what exactly we are aiming for and how we plan
to get there. So, we started working on our mission statement and came
up with a first draft.

You are warmly invited to provide us with any kind of input for
improvements!

--------------------
FSFE Edu-Team Mission Statement:

With the increasing usage of Information technology, software
knowledgeability [1] has become a key skill in modern society. At almost
all levels [2], pupils and students are taught how to use computers and
deal with software.

We believe [3] Free Software is the best choice as it encourages schooling
of understanding over product schooling, upholds the scientific
principles and doesn't neglect the social components of education like
sharing, helping and learning from each other [4].

The aim of the education activity of FSFE is furthering Free Software
in all education related activities and institutions. In accordance
with FSFE's self conception [0], we want to bring Free Software in
education on the political agenda across all European country
borders and inform administrations, teachers, students/pupils and
their parents about the benefits Free Software provides. We also want
to foster communication and cooperation among these groups as well as
with the developers and advocates of Free Software and their
organisations to help them succeed. We aim for a legal framework that
will not discriminate the use of Free Software and offer our expertise
and advise to all parties involved.

[0] http://fsfe.org/about/principles.en.html
--------------------

The footnotes point to some controversies during the drafting process.

Any comment or question is welcome! There is also an editable etherpad
version where you can integrate your suggestions right away and
anonymous [5].

Thank you for your time and help!

Greetings,

Guido


[1] knowledgeability sounds weird to some people. Is there any better
way to express this?

[2] It's been suggested to replace "levels" with "educational institutions"

[3] delete "We believe"?

[4] does this explain the WHY good enough? Any other suggestions?

[5] http://edu.etherpad.fsfe.org/5
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[Nicolas JEAN]

Hi Guido,
Already a very nice job!!
Here under are some comments.

Post by Guido Arnold
Hello all,
Although the Edu-Team has been active again, there was no consistent
answer to the question what exactly we are aiming for and how we plan
to get there. So, we started working on our mission statement and came
up with a first draft.
You are warmly invited to provide us with any kind of input for
improvements!
--------------------
With the increasing usage of Information technology, software
knowledgeability [1] has become a key skill in modern society. At almost
all levels [2], pupils and students are taught how to use computers and
deal with software.
We believe [3] Free Software is the best choice

the best choice for whom, for what?

Post by Guido Arnold
as it encourages schooling
of understanding over product schooling, upholds the scientific
principles and doesn't neglect the social components of education like
sharing, helping and learning from each other [4].
The aim of the education activity of FSFE is furthering

[native speaker needed] "the furthering"? "to further"?

Post by Guido Arnold
Free Software
in all education related activities and institutions. In accordance
with FSFE's self conception [0], we want to bring Free Software in
education on the political agenda across all European country
borders and inform administrations, teachers, students/pupils and
their parents about the benefits Free Software provides. We also want
to foster communication and cooperation among these groups as well as
with the developers and advocates of Free Software and their
organisations to help them succeed. We aim for a legal framework that
will not discriminate the use of Free Software and offer our expertise
and advise to all parties involved.
[0] http://fsfe.org/about/principles.en.html
--------------------
The footnotes point to some controversies during the drafting process.
Any comment or question is welcome! There is also an editable etherpad
version where you can integrate your suggestions right away and
anonymous [5].
Thank you for your time and help!
Greetings,
Guido
[1] knowledgeability sounds weird to some people. Is there any better
way to express this?

Simple "knowledge"? "Education"? "know-how"? "Expertise"?

Post by Guido Arnold
[2] It's been suggested to replace "levels" with "educational institutions"

Other proposal: "Throughout the many years in school [at all levels], ?"

Post by Guido Arnold
[3] delete "We believe"?
[4] does this explain the WHY good enough? Any other suggestions?
[5] http://edu.etherpad.fsfe.org/5

--
Nicolas JEAN - Intern
Free Software Foundation Europe (http://fsfe.org)
Is Free Software important to you? Join us! (http://fsfe.org/join)


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[Sam Tuke]

Post by Guido Arnold
Any comment or question is welcome! There is also an editable etherpad
version where you can integrate your suggestions right away and
anonymous [5].

My edit, taking into accounts Guido's recommendations (tracked on etherpad,
with comments):

With the increasing usage of Information technology, software competency has
become a key skill in modern society. In the overwhelming majority of sectors
and industries [see #2], students of all ages require strong IT skills to
become employable, productive, and competitive.

Free Software applications provide the best tools for educators as they foster
transferrable skills and concepts based upon international standards, rather
than familiarity with individual products from particular vendors. Free
Software in education upholds scientific principles of participation,
collaboration and peer review, and in doing so develops additional learning
skills by sharing knowledge and achievements amogst students.

The goal of FSFE's Education Team is to bring the benefits of Free Software to
all education related activities and institutions. In accordance with FSFE's
Self Conception [0], we shall bring the use of Free Software in education to
political agendas across European borders, and inform administrations,
teachers, students and their carers about the benefits Free Software provides.

We shall foster communication and cooperation among these groups, and
establish and extend dialogue between them and Free Software developers and
advocates. We shall establish a legal framework that shall prohibit
discriminate against Free Software and it's users, and make available FSFE's
extensive expertise to all parties involved.

[0] http://fsfe.org/about/principles.en.html

[Guido Arnold]

Hello Sam,

Thanks for your version! I'm glad to see a native English speaker
working on it :)

Also thanks to Nico for his comments. I think all remarks are covered
and changed with this version, or did I miss something?

Post by Sam Tuke
My edit, taking into accounts Guido's recommendations (tracked on etherpad,
With the increasing usage of Information technology, software competency has
become a key skill in modern society. In the overwhelming majority of sectors
and industries [see #2], students of all ages require strong IT skills to
become employable, productive, and competitive.

In etherpad, you noted:
"knowledgeability sounds weird" : I agree. A foreign concept like
this shouldn't be in the first sentence, IMO.

Does your "foreign concept" refer to the word "knowledgeability" or
do you suggest to change whole sentence or move it somewhere else?

Post by Sam Tuke
advocates. We shall establish a legal framework that shall prohibit
discriminate against Free Software and it's users, and make available FSFE's

The only change I made after Sam's edit was to replace "discriminate"
with "discrimination".

The draft can still be edited here until end of February:
http://edu.etherpad.fsfe.org/5

Greetings,

Guido
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[Sam Tuke]

Post by Guido Arnold
"knowledgeability sounds weird" : I agree. A foreign concept like
this shouldn't be in the first sentence, IMO.
Does your "foreign concept" refer to the word "knowledgeability" or
do you suggest to change whole sentence or move it somewhere else?

Just the word knowledgeability, and by foreign I just meant that it may not be
a word / idea that's familiar to some people.

Post by Guido Arnold
The only change I made after Sam's edit was to replace "discriminate"
with "discrimination".

Well spotted :)

Sam.