Glossary

(This glossary is a work in progress.)

Assessment 

Assessment (Self & Peer) is a Process Skill for gathering information and reflecting on experiences to improve subsequent learning & performance, and includes Metacognition.

Blog 

Bot 

software applications that run automated tasks over the Internet - (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_bot).

Bugzilla 

A bug tracking tool.

Commit 

Community 

Communication 

Communication is a Process Skill for exchanging information and understanding, and includes Oral Communication and Written Communication.

Contributor 

anyone who contributes to FOSS – code, design, docs, feedback, ideas, etc.

Course 

A Course is an actual academic course that involves HFOSS, typically by using Pathways and Learning Activities.

Creative Commons 

Critical Thinking 

Critical Thinking is a Process Skill for analyzing, evaluating, or synthesizing relevant information to form an argument or reach a conclusion supported by evidence.

CVS 

A version control system. (see http://www.nongnu.org/cvs))

DOAP (Description of a Project) 

(see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOAP)

FOSS (Free & Open Source Software) 

Usually, "a FOSS" refers to one project; "FOSS" refers to the broader culture.

Git 

A version control system. (see https://git-scm.com/)

GitHub 

A version control repository and hosting service. (see https://github.com/)

Good Draft 

The Good Draft category is for Learning Activities, etc. that are a good draft - more than a Minimal Sketch or Work in Progress, but not yet Ready to Use.

Gtk+ (GIMP Toolkit) 

A multi-platform toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. (see https://www.gtk.org/)

HFOSS (Humanitarian Free & Open Source Software) 

Information Processing 

Information Processing is a Process Skill for evaluating, interpreting, manipulating, or transforming information.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) 

a discussion tool used by members of an HFOSS community. For a reference on IRC basics, see http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/irctutorial.html

Introspection (inspection?) 

Lead 

anyone who coordinates or directs other contributors

Learning Activity 

A Learning Activity is the smallest unit of learning and could be a classroom activity, homework assignment, etc. Learning activities can be sequenced into Learning Modules, and can support steps on Pathways to FOSS contributions.

Learning Framework 

A Learning Framework is used to organize approaches or content, and can be used along with or surrounding other Learning Activities.

Learning Module 

A Learning Module is a sequence of Learning Activities or other modules, along with notes on sequencing, additional context, and other information.

Management 

Management is a Process Skill for planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating one's own and others' efforts to accomplish a goal.

MeetBot 

An IRC plugin to facilitate note-taking during IRC meetings. (see https://wiki.debian.org/MeetBot)

Meritocracy 

Political philosophy that holds power should be vested in individuals according to merit. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritocracy) Advancement in such a system is based on perceived intellectual talent measured through examination and/or demonstrated achievement in the field where it is implemented.

Metacognition 

Metacognition is a Process Skill for thinking / reflecting about one's thinking and how one learns, and being aware of one's knowledge.

Minimal Sketch 

The Minimal Sketch category is for Learning Activities, etc. that are a minimal sketch - not yet a Work in Progress, Good Draft, or Ready to Use.

Oral Communication 

Oral Communication is a Process Skill for exchanging information and understanding through speaking, listening, and non-verbal behaviors.

Pathway 

A Pathway is a sequence of steps that a practitioner would follow to contribute to a humanitarian free and open source (HFOSS) project. Pathway steps are supported by Learning Activities and Learning Modules.

Planet 

blog aggregator for a specific topic (e.g. for FOSS)

Problem Solving 

Problem Solving is a Process Skill for identifying, planning, and executing a strategy that goes beyond routine action to find a solution to a situation or question.

Process Skills 

Process Skills are skills that are used broadly in the process of work, as opposed to skills that are domain or problem specific. The POGIL Project uses the following process skills: Assessment, Communication, Critical Thinking, Information Processing, Management, Problem Solving, and Teamwork.

Rapid Prototyping 

Ready to Use 

The Ready to Use category is for Learning Activities, etc. that are a ready to use - more than a Minimal Sketch, a Work in Progress, or a Good Draft.

Sharing 

Underlying principle of open source.

SVN (Subversion) 

A version control system. (see https://subversion.apache.org/)

Teamwork 

Teamwork is a Process Skill for interacting with others and building on each others' individual strengths and skills, working toward a common goal.

Transparency 

Trello 

A task tracking system. (see https://trello.com/)

Wiki 

For wiki formatting tips see http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Formatting

Written Communication 

Written Communication is a Process Skill for conveying information and understanding to an intended audience through written materials (paper, electronic, etc).