Forum .LRN Q&A: Harvard Open Source Courseware

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Posted by Simon Carstensen on
From Slashdot:

"The Berkman Center for Internet and Society releases the H20 courseware software as open source."

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/03/26/0139241
http://h2o.law.harvard.edu/index.jsp
http://h2oproject.law.harvard.edu/

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Posted by Carl Robert Blesius on

Took a quick look at the info online... could not find a demo or download though.

Here is an interesting (historical) text pulled from http://h2oproject.law.harvard.edu/tools/ (description and proposal for H2O):

"In its ideal form, H2O would be fully integrated courseware and peer-to-peer community. [...] The main disadvantage of this kernel design is the extra cost and complexity of developing the courseware itself. It is a difficult project to do well, and one that is not central to the H2O core idea. Fortunately, however, two projects are already underway that have great potential to alleviate this problem. The Open Knowledge Initiative (OKI), [... and] In particular, ArsDigita, a commercial but open source software development company that focuses on platforms that foster community has recently adapted its standard platform for use as educational software.

The ArsDigita platform, the ArsDigita Community System (ACS), already has a significant programming and development community built around it as well as numerous companies in the business of installing and maintaining it for interested institutions. [...] This approach has the advantage of working within a well-established community already developed around the software. [...] it is possible that ArsDigita and the ACS community might be supportive of such a project."

Here is a recorded talk that gives a good idea of what the "Rotisserie" is (which seems to be central to H2O):

http://eon.law.harvard.edu/ml/index.pl?nodeid=33311&view=1

Nice idea (seems to be the main thing going for H2O right now - and I am sure it fits well in a law classroom). If someone gets the itch and we can not integrate it I am sure we could add something similar to the forums package.

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3: Eric J. Lindblom PhD (response to 1)
Posted by Eric J Lindblom PhD on
I have been using http://h2o.law.harvard.edu for three years going on four. It is amazing. Check it out. Eric J. Lindblom PhD http://elindblom.bravehost.com
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4: Re: Eric J. Lindblom PhD (response to 3)
Posted by Eric J Lindblom PhD on
Lindblom update

Sorry, my URL is the old one. The new one is http://lindblom.bravehost.com I do have a new course, however, for this summer. It uses The Creative Commons concept. That course can be found at: http://h2o.law.harvard.edu/ViewProject.do?projectID=473 Again, sorry for the mix-up. Lindblom

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5: Re: Eric J. Lindblom PhD (response to 3)
Posted by Eric J Lindblom PhD on
It is five years going on six at Harvard.
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6: Eric Lindblom (response to 3)
Posted by Eric J Lindblom PhD on
Harvard University

I've been using h2o at Harvard University for over five years and find it amazing. It has my full support! Isn't Harvard wonderful? http://lindblom.bravehost.com

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Posted by Eric J Lindblom PhD on
Eric J. Lindblom PhD, Project Leader, Harvard University (h2o)

People were asking about Harvard (h2o Project, an open access, creative commons project). Here is an idea of how it works:

Try: http://h2o.law.harvard.edu/ViewProject.do?projectID=849