I have long been a fan of Open source and for about three years I have been a user of Open Office, in fact our school has migrated from Microsoft Office and later Star Office to Open Office.
One of the problems that all of the productivity suites have is the level of complexity for the [...]
What are the software tools that we need to teach our students? I believe we can not be limited to just a productivity suite, we need a range of tools that we can use to enhance our students learning and engage them in a variety of activities. Here is my list of tool categories and [...]
A handful of the best is one of the presentations I ran at uLearn09. The basis of this presentation is a collection of open source, free or great proprietory tools that I use in my classroom.
While the “software for schools” deal does provide a basic productivity suite for computers in schools and an OS it [...]
With the recent discussions about the Software for schools deal, its worth considering some of the other tools we could use in our teaching.
One of the best tools for the visual learner is a mind map. This learning tool is not covered by the software for schools package but fortunately for us there are some [...]
Here are some interesting sites and resources that I have stumbled across this week.
1 . Teaching English - http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/
This is a great site for teachers of English. Well worth a visit. You will need to register, but this is quick painless and free.
2. Crimespotting mash up – http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/08/seeing-the-future-mapping-crimespotting-stamen.html
mash ups are brilliant examples of the power [...]
In my last post about the Software for schools package I recieved a reply from Paul, who works at the Ministry. I have worked with Paul in the past and I believe the question he asked was worth more than just a threaded reply
Here is Pauls original comment and below it my responce;
“Good thoughts Andrew. [...]
I have been mulling over the software deal for schools now for a couple of days and it is raising more concerns.
The Software for schools deal provides “certainty” for some of the stakeholders, namely the software suppliers. They have certainty of funding and revenue for the next three years.
It does not provide certainty for schools, [...]
…. is not that its microsoft or apple, is not that its Office 2007 or 2010. No, my problem is choice and certainty.
While the ministry has been quoted in interface magazine as saying ”The agreement covers almost 200,000 computers and provides schools with certainty for the next three years,” said Howard Baldwin, Acting Manager, e-Learning. [...]
I love, yes love, CMAP. Its a free mind mapping and presentation tool produced by the IHMC (the institute of Human and Machine Cognition).
This is a great mind mapping tool for the senior students. Its is straight to the point, simple, easy to use and simple. My senior students prefer this to the more colourful [...]
http://www.scribus.net/
Scribus is one of the best FOSS (Free and open source software) products I have found. This is a powerful and flexible desktop publishing tools for Windows, mac and Linux operating systems.
There blurb sums it up:
“Scribus is an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with [...]
