Turn it Up! Using Open Source Software to Maximize Learning

Julie Hagaman shared many open source software programs along with tips and tricks on how to use them in the classroom. Below I’ve listed open source sites that Ms. Hagaman shared with us during her presentation. However, many more are available at the Teach4Teacher website and are sorted by categories. Check it out at http://tech4teacher.weebly.com/

•Poll Everywhere allows learners to use their cell phones to submit polls. http://www.polleverywhere.com
•Open Office is a free and open productivity tool. http://www.openoffice.org/
•GIMP Image Editor http://www.gimp.org/
•Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
•Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program. http://www.tuxpaint.org/
•Tux Math is an arcade game that helps kids practice their math facts. http://tux4kids.alioth.debian.org/tuxmath/
•Pencil is a free animation program. http://www.pencil-animation.org/
•Blender is a 3-D content creation suite. http://www.blender.org/
•Speak for Yourself http://www.latkids.org/index.php/site/entry/13
•Microsoft SongSmith http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/songsmith/
•Students with visual impairments might find the Virtual Magnifying Glass helpful. http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
•Orca is a free screen reader. http://live.gnome.org/Orca
•CamStudio is a screen reporter. http://camstudio.org/
•Any Video Converter http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/
•Scratch was designed by people at MIT. It enables you to create and share your own interactive stories, games, music, and art. http://scratch.mit.edu/
•Back Noise is a free social networking tool for creating adhoc conversations anywhere anytime. http://backnoise.com/
•Knowtes is a flashcard-based learning community. http://www.knowtes.com/
•Ning is an online service to create, customize, and share a social network. http://www.ning.com/ If you are an educator for grades 7-12 they will remove the ads for free.