What Kind of Freeware/Shareware do you use?

[Tom Jenkins]

Hello,

Each year I like to look at new software to integrate into my class. Alice (Animation) is one that I'm going to use for the first time this year.

Given that I have a software budget near nil, I have to rely on programs that are free or cheap. Posted below are ones that I used last year along with links for those of you that are curious.

What are some of your favorites?

Thanks,
Tom

Scratch (Animation)
Google Earth (Mapping)
Open Office (Productivity)
Audacity (Audio Mixing)
Moodle (Course Management)
Gimp (Image Manipulation)

[Kim Lightle]

I've started the Freeware and Shareware page - and included most of what was said here. Please go to the page and add comments, etc. We can continue the conversation here but will make sure that it is reflected on the wiki page. I've linked the page to the Main Page - in the MSP2 Resources box.

[Tami Vest]

Hi Tom,
Just started using Flowell programming(which is not free) with 8 graders, and they like it, so as Sketch is free, I am making that available to them as well.
The kids love Audacity for podcasting (and I am putting together a "commercial" lesson for a project this year, too)
Went to a session at conference on www.yourtake.org, and it sounds cool...can't wait to try it out. (Sets up a scenario in which students are able to voice their opinions from a variety of points of view....the comments are compiled and voted on for importance...then you can do a variety of lessons with this information. (Great thinking process, critical writing, persuasive writing)

[Tom Jenkins]

Hi Tami,

Thanks for sharing. I love when people post new new software and then I go and try it out. The kids in my class have definitely benefited from this thread. Let us know how everything goes.

Tom

Tami Vest said:

Hi Tom,
Just started using Flowell programming(which is not free) with 8 graders, and they like it, so as Sketch is free, I am making that available to them as well.
The kids love Audacity for podcasting (and I am putting together a "commercial" lesson for a project this year, too)
Went to a session at conference on www.yourtake.org, and it sounds cool...can't wait to try it out. (Sets up a scenario in which students are able to voice their opinions from a variety of points of view....the comments are compiled and voted on for importance...then you can do a variety of lessons with this information. (Great thinking process, critical writing, persuasive writing)