Product
Name
| Description
| Integration
Idea
|
Tux Math
| Tux Math is a multi level math facts program. From beginning addition to positive and negative problem solving. Feels like a video game. A great math program for all ages.
Open Source product
| Use Tux Math with small groups of students in learning centers. Perhaps 15 minutes a day to drill students on their math facts.
|
Tux Paint
| Tux Paint is a drawing/art program that allows students endless opportunity to draw, create and paint.
Open Source product
| Illustrate student writings using Tux Paint. Illustrate a story or word problem using Tux Paint.
|
Tux Typing
| A wonderful typing program that kids will enjoy. The Tux penguin teaches students how to type through instruction and edu-tainment.
Open Source product
| Learning keyboarding is a vital skill for all technology integration. Students need to stay motivated to want to learn how to type. This program will keep students motivated to learn.
|
Gimp
| Gimp functions almost exactly like Adobe Photoshop. The palette is very similar to Photoshop. If you know how to use Photoshop you will easily adapt to Gimp.
Open Source product
| Students can gain new technology skills by manipulating a photo using Gimp, which teaches listening skills, creative thought, following directions etc. After your students manipulate a photo perhaps by adding a filter, have them write a poem using the new photo as an illustration.
|
Picasa
| Picasa web albums allows one to upload images, add text and make an embedded sideshow. I love this product. One can also link to the sideshow. This is a great way for students to communicate with family members that live out of town.
Web-based product
| Create a historical timeline using Picasa. Have the students research a specific period in time. Locate pictures and facts about this time period. Build your Picasa slide show making sure the students cite their resources. Each slide can be a different date through out time.
|
Zoho
| Zoho is a web-based working suite. Zoho has a spreadsheet program, word-processing program and presentation program and many more options. I use Zoho with my students because it is web bases. There are many open source options that must be downloads. I like the fact that I don't need to download anything to use Zoho. My students, as I often say, can do their homework in China as long as they had a reliable Internet connection.
Web-based product
| Our fifth grade students have to complete a state assessment that requires them to gather data (of their choice) put the data into a spreadsheet, and graph their data. Once they have graphed their data, they then put their chart or graph into a word processing document and write the process they had complete to chart their data. They then have to create a three hypothesis questions that can be answered from looking at their chart. Zoho would be excellent for this, and the students could open their projects at home and work on them, then work on them at school as well.
|
Scratch
| Scratch is a object oriented programming software for kids. Students can create animated scenarios by connecting action blocks. There are many samples to view on the website.
Free: does not state "Open Source."
| Older students could develop character education scenarios that would help teach character education to younger students. Students could illustrate and animate mathematical word problems.
|
Gliffy
| Much like Inspiration, Gliffy is a open source graphic organizer software. Gliffy allows you to link or embed your graphic organizers, which is a feature I like.
Open Source product
| Using Gliffy is a great way for students to collaboratively work together on research projects. They can brainstorm using Gliffy as their concept map. Gliffy also allows you to share your files with others, this will allow the students to alter or change the brainstorming ideas.
|
Audacity
| An open source software for all things audio. I use it for podcasting, and creating the voice for my animated web page greeters.
Open Source product
| Students could write and read their stories into Audacity, then make a podcast of the students and their stories. This is great for those family members that do not live near the student.
|
Cumulate Draw
| Cumulate Draw is a web-based program. This program is an excellent drawing program! It is more for older students. The program can also be used to make graphic organizers, floor plans, designing web page layouts, geometry, endless possibilities.
Web-based product
| Using Cumulate Draw to teach area and perimeter would be fun. One of our 5th grade teachers teach area and perimeter by constructing gingerbread houses. Cumulate Draw would allow her students to draw up their plans first and then having a very legible plan to work from..a blueprint per se.
|
Weebly
| Weebly is a free website design product. It is very easy to use. No XHTML knowledge is needed.
Web-based product
| Weebly is a perfect tool for students and teachers. Students can design their own websites or blogs. I am using Weebly with my Tech Club as a collaborative project assignment. Publishing encourages all language arts skills and creative thinking skills.
|
Voice Thread
| VoiceThread allows one to create presentations via movie, doc, picture files and many more file types.Once you have created the project, you can add audio and then share the presentation with others. You can also embed your presentation into an existing website. VoiceThread also allows you to doodle on your presentation to draw focus to specific areas.
Web-based product
| This is a great product for story telling, writing, creating, and collaborative projects. VoiceThread is great whenever a presentation software is needed. I love this product!
|
Class Tools
| Class Tools helps you make interactive games using Flash templates. The games can be embedded in to your teacher website.
Web-based product
| Class Tools is a great way to help your students study for tests, memorize terms or any other curriculum need. Class Tools makes learning fun!
|
Prezentit
| Prezentit is just like PowerPoint but better! Make presentations, share them and embed them. You will need to open an account in order to have full access.
Web-based product | Perfect in any situation, in which a presentation software is needed.
|
