Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this module you should

  1. Understand some different uses of the term “text” in computing
  2. Be able to distinguish between “plain text” and other types of text
  3. Understand some major uses of plain text for file types such as txt, html, and csv
  4. Be able edit text effectively in a plain-text editor
  5. Be able to write plain text files in Markdown
  6. Be able to keep a journal of your learning for this course in Markdown
  7. Understand how interoperability affects your freedom as a digital citizen

Dates and Activities

Monday, February 3

Before class

  • Read through the pages of the “What is Text?” module. Be sure to install Visual Studio Code according to the instructions linked in Text Editors.

Mac Users: Be sure to drag the Visual Studio Code application into your Applications folder before launching it. If you launch the application from your Downloads folder, it will run, but some features will not work properly. Most important, you’ll run into trouble with Step 6 in the installation instructions, where you install the code command in your shell PATH.

In class

  • We’ll make sure everyone has Visual Studio Code installed and working.
  • We’ll work on creating a journal script and making sure everyone has a journal workflow.
  • We’ll discuss the importance of interoperability as a principle in computing.

Class work: In your folder for 2-3, share a plain text file with the .md extension in the file name containing your notes on today’s work in class.

Wednesday, February 5

Before class

  • Read Walden, “Economy,” paragraphs 1-70.
  • Read Rebecca Solnit, “Mysteries of Thoreau, Unsolved”.
  • Choose a sentence anywhere in paragraphs 1-70 of “Economy” in Walden that you find interesting—either for what it says or how it’s written. Select that sentence with your mouse and add a comment about it in the margin.

In class

  • We’ll discuss Walden and make connections between Thoreau’s book and our work with computers.

Class work: In your folder for 2-5, share your journal script in a file ending with the .sh extension and a journal file for the day, with the .md extension, containing notes.

Friday, February 7

Before class

  • Practice using Markdown syntax.

In class

  • We’ll continue discussing Walden and practicing Markdown.

Class work: In your folder for 2-7, share a journal file for the day with notes on your developing command-line skills.