Induction Programme for First Year Students, St Thomas Institute For Science & Technology, Trivandrum
Date: 16th October 2024
Organiser: FOSS Club, St Thomas Institute for Science & Technology
Report by: Ganesh Adimalupu
The FOSS Club at St Thomas College hosted an induction programme for first-year students to familiarize them with the open-source culture, tools, and opportunities available through contributions to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). The session aimed to motivate new students to join the club and participate in upcoming FOSS-related activities and events.
Timeline of Events
Day 1 (September 11, 2024)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: CS2 and DS Student Session
Welcome Address and Introduction to FOSS
Speaker: Ganesh Adimalupu
An overview of the FOSS Club, its mission, and the role of FOSS in today’s technology landscape.
Key topics included: open-source philosophy, how to begin contributing to FOSS, and tools like Linux, OpenOffice, and GIMP.
FOSS Tools and Technologies
The session highlighted various open-source tools, including the Linux operating system, OpenOffice for productivity, and GIMP for graphic design. Each tool was introduced with examples of its use in academic and professional contexts, showcasing the benefits of adopting FOSS in daily life
Projects and Opportunities
Students were introduced to popular FOSS projects such as Linux, Apache, and Blender. Real-world examples illustrated how contributing to these projects can lead to career advancement and global awareness. A live demonstration on navigating GitHub repositories was also provided.
Day 2 (September 12, 2024)
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Session for CS1 Students
The session’s content was consistent with that of Day 1, maintaining a similar level of student engagement and enthusiasm. Notable aspects included the GitHub demonstration .
Agenda for the FOSS Club Induction Program
Day 1: September 11, 2024 (CS2 & DS Students)
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Speaker: Ganesh Adimalupu
A brief welcome note introducing the FOSS club and outlining the objectives of the induction program.
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Understanding FOSS
An exploration of Free and Open-Source Software, emphasizing the significance of community involvement and the worldwide FOSS landscape.
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
FOSS Tools and Technologies
An introduction to fundamental tools such as Git, GitHub, and Linux, accompanied by a live demonstration on how to navigate GitHub repositories.
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
FOSS Projects and Contributions
A presentation on prominent FOSS projects (including Linux, Apache, and Blender) and a discussion regarding the advantages of contributing to these initiatives, highlighting personal development and career prospects.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Practical Examples of FOSS Contributions
Sharing success narratives and tangible instances of how contributors to FOSS have progressed in their careers.
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Interactive Q&A Session
An opportunity for students to pose questions, express their views, and seek clarification on initiating their journey in FOSS.
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
Concluding Remarks & Future Directions
A summary of the session along with an outline of forthcoming events, including the scheduled Git and GitHub workshop in November.
Day 2: September 12, 2024 (CS1 Students)
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Speaker: Ganesh Adimalupu
An opening address with content similar to that of Day 1.
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Understanding FOSS
A discussion on the principles and significance of FOSS within contemporary software development.
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
FOSS Tools and Technologies
An overview of the tools that underpin the FOSS ecosystem, particularly focusing on Git, GitHub, and Linux.
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
FOSS Projects and Contributions
An introduction to essential FOSS projects and guidance on how students can begin their contributions.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Practical Examples of FOSS Contributions
Showcasing instances of students and professionals who have gained advantages from their contributions to FOSS projects.
12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Special Assistance:
Merfin and Vaishnav provided hands-on support during the Git walkthrough and the interactive Q&A session. Their contributions helped students to gain a minimum on how to use Git and GitHub for version control and making open-source contributions.
Strengths and Challenges in Student Engagement
Strengths:
The students who were genuinely interested really got involved during the live demos and enjoyed the interactive parts of the session. They were excited to learn about FOSS tools like Git, Linux, and projects like Blender and GIMP. Many of them were curious about how contributing to these open-source projects could help with future career opportunities, and they showed a lot of interest in joining the upcoming workshops.
Challenges:
A significant portion of the attendees, particularly those from a biology background, struggled with some of the technical terminology and concepts. Many students were present due to parental influence, which affected their level of engagement. Only a few students displayed a clear passion for technology and open-source software, which led to varying participation levels.
Conclusion:
The induction program successfully introduced the first-year students to the world of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Despite some challenges in understanding technical terminology, particularly for students from non-technical backgrounds, the session sparked curiosity and interest in FOSS tools and projects. The active participation from engaged students shows the potential for growing the FOSS community within the college. Moving forward, the planned workshops and events will provide further hands-on experience, helping students deepen their understanding and contribute meaningfully to open-source projects.
