K12 Open Technologies

Below is a list of a few of my favorite open source applications for the desktop. Most are available for any platform, and many are available on the OpenDisc for Windows systems (which you can download here.) It's important to keep in mind that these applications:

• Are free
• Can be given to students to install and use at home
• Offer educators the opportunity to introduce new technologies in their educational environement
• Provide essential skills that are transferrable to applications of similar types in the commercial world

Scribus

http://www.scribus.org.uk
Scribus is a remarkably capable desktop publishing application that offers "press-ready" output, CMYK color with ICC color management support, and versatile PDF creation features. A number of school districts use this to produce yearbooks, newsletters, and other professional publications.

GIMP

http://www.gimp.org
The Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is an incredible graphics tool that is often compared to Adobe Photoshop. It is excellent for such applications as photo retouching, image composition, authoring, format conversion, and even 2D animation. Can you afford to give your kids access to sophisticated imaging tools on every computer? With the GIMP, you can!

Inkscape

http://www.inkscape.org
Inkscape is a scalable vector drawing program, similar to Adobe Illustrator. Vector drawings are essential mathematical representations of an image. The benefit of vector image is that it can be scaled to any size, stretched, or skewed without any loss of quality. An excellent tool for creating logos, headings, or any other graphic that you might want to use on a web site or publication.

VNC

http://www.realvnc.com
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a tool that enables remote control of a distant desktop. VNC is excellent for technical support and classroom management, in that it enables the user to monitor and/or take control of a remote computer from any location on the network. Fast and platform independent, VNC can transform a classroom or technical support department.

PDFCreator

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
PDFCreator is a simple add on for Windows that enables the creation of PDF documents from any application (in the same fashion as Mac and Linux users can.) Essentially, it creates a "printer" that, when selected from the print dialog, saves any document as a PDF file.

Blender 3D

http://blender.org
Featuring sophisticated modeling and rendering tools, Blender is an incredible 3D design environment capable of meeting the most demanding student/teacher needs. Engineering and design students, as well as those interested in Pixar quality animation and gaming will find everything they need in this valuable tool.

TuxPaint, TuxTyping, and TuxMath

http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/
http://tuxtype.sourceforge.net/
http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxmath/
Three great applications for primary age kids. They are easy to use, fun, and encouraging, with great sound effects and animation that will keep elementary students engaged for hours.

Audacity

http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Audacity is a powerful, easy to use audio recording and editing tool, which is great for recording podcasts and other live audio, converting tapes and records to digital formats, and any other digital audio needs you can imagine. Teachers even use it for reading and language fluency, speech counseling, and foreign language training.

VLC

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Video LAN Client (VLC) is the media player that never says "no." Plays almost any media file and format, including streaming media files, on any platform. A great tool for Mac and Linux users who want to play those pesky, Windows only formats.

OpenOffice/NeoOffice (Mac)

http://www.openoffice.org
http://www.neooffice.org

What more needs to be said about OpenOffice? Handily provides for all the productivity needs of any student or teacher, including integrated word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, and database applications. Pluggable and extendable, OpenOffice offers flexible tools that are free, open, and compatible.

Celestia

http://celestia.sourceforge.net
An incredible space simulator that lets you explore the universe in 3 dimensions. Features a wealth of spacecraft and objects, unconfined 3D navigation, seamless motion, and an expandable architecture, with Celestia, the possibilities are literally endless.

Freemind

http://freemind.sourceforge.net
Freemind is the premier free mind-mapping software in the open source world. Need to work out an idea, prioritize tasks, refactor an essay, or even write a completely new metaphysics? Freemind is the tool for you.

GCompris

http://gcompris.net/-en-
GCompris means "I get it!" and is a great tool for children age 2-10. Comprised of a whole suite of tasks and activities, including computer discovery, algebra, science, geography, reading, and others, GCompris offers a wealth of learning opportunities.

Of course there are hundreds of great applications available that I didn't mention, like Stellarium, CMAPTools, Dia, Math Trax, StarLogo, Virtual Microscope, and Nvu - check them all out, as well as the host of Resource Links (to the left) on this site for more.

Why limit your students to four or five applications, when you have the opportunity to expose them to the rich, relevant technologies that open source provides? Take advantage of the flexibility and choice of open source solutions in your classrooms today!