Open Source Software for Schools
As of June 2012, Penn Manor School District has deployed over 1600 Ubuntu desktops and laptops. Based on our experiences, we are starting a list of interesting Linux and open source applications for education. Comments and additions are welcomed. If you have an open source application suggestion for schools, please leave a comment.
Audacity
Free audio editor and recorder: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
BigBlueButton
A virtual classroom with video, whiteboard, chat and desktop sharing: http://www.bigbluebutton.org.
Blender
Blender is a powerful 3D drawing and animation program: http://www.blender.org.
Career Day Sorting Program
A web applications supporting student sign up and sorting for Career Day style events. Algorithm and code developed by Andrew Lobos, UX Design by Ben Thomas, both students at Penn Manor High School. Available on GitHub: https://github.com/4ndr3w/CareerDaySorting.
Celtx
Craft your next script, play or comic book with this versatile writing tool: http://www.celtx.com.
FocusWriter
Write without distraction. FocusWriter helps students and teachers stay focused on the task at hand. http://gottcode.org/focuswriter/
GCompris
Similar to the “Jump Start” titles, GCompris offers a suite of engaging activities for math, language arts, science and other subjects. http://gcompris.net/
GeoGebra
Geometry and Algebra software for learning and teaching. http://www.geogebra.org/
GIMP
A rich photo editing and manipulation program and can serve as full replacement for Adobe Photoshop. http://www.gimp.org/
Inkscape
Similar to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape is a powerful vector image editing program. http://inkscape.org/
Kazam Screencaster
Simple desktop video and audio recorder. A great tool for creating tutorial or training videos. https://launchpad.net/kazam.
Koha
The first free and open library automation program: http://koha-community.org.
LibreOffice
An excellent, no-cost replacements for Microsoft Office. The program includes high-quality word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing and equation editing tools. http://www.libreoffice.org
MuseScore
Free cross-platform music notation software: http://musescore.org
OpenShot Video
With an easy-to-use but feature-rich interface, OpenShot is a rising star in video editing. http://www.openshot.org/
Pencil
A traditional 2D animation and cartooning application: http://www.pencil-animation.org.
Scribus
Professional page layout, design and publishing: http://www.scribus.net
SipXecs
An open unified communication and PBX system by the SIPFoundry community. Free yourself from proprietary phones: http://www.sipfoundry.org.
Stellarium
An outstanding, free planetarium program. http://www.stellarium.org
Shutter
Shutter is a screenshot tool used to capture a full screen, window or portion of the desk top. http://shutter-project.org
Scratch
A programming language and environment for students. Consider Scratch as an alternative to tiresome PowerPoint presentation assignments: http://scratch.mit.edu.
Sweet Home 3D
Interior design program: http://www.sweethome3d.com/
Tux Type
TuxType offers a fun introduction to typing for young students. Like commercial programs such as Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, students learn keyboarding while playing interactive games.
Tux Paint
An alternative to Kid Pix, Tux Paint is a creative drawing program for kids. Students may use stamps, magic wands and other colorful tools to create works of art suitable for hanging on any refrigerator door.
Ubermix
A specialty built Linux distribution for schools, Ubermix is an outstanding turn-key OS for educators and students: http://www.ubermix.org.
WordPress
More than a blogging engine, WordPress is your first step to publishing nirvana: http://wordpress.org.
