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Software Suggestions for Elementary School Workstations?

Posted by Cliff on from the teaching-toys-for-the-toddlers dept.

krog asks: "I've recently signed a contract with a local middle school to replace their aged Apple /// cluster with a roomful of IBM Aptivas running Linux 7.3. Now surely I will be installing such ease-of-use tools as KDE3, Gnome, and screen, but I am looking for suggestions of other software to install. Anyone know of any good text editors/BASIC interpreters/shells/etc suitable for eight-year-old children?"

5 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. Go to k12ltsp.org by drew_kime · · Score: 5, Informative

    They've already done your work for you. Don't reinvent the wheel again.

    --
    Nope, no sig
  2. Damaging for life? really? by hackwrench · · Score: 2, Informative

    Would you care to elaborate, and also explain how those 'other programming languages' aren't?
    While you're at it, go to this forum and try to explain to them how their favorite language reeks.

    Here is a good version of BASIC that appears to be free. Requires Line numbers but is very interactive. i.e. It remembers variables that can be manipulated outside of a program. You can load a series of programs and GOTO a line number to continue with the same variable values, or just load 1 program with all your routines and GOTO them when you want them. Google Search for UBASIC version 8.8 appears to be buggy but 8.74 is good.

  3. Some sites of interest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Seul/Edu Educational Application Index
    Suel.org Home Page
    Dmoz.org Linux: Projects: Education
    tux4kids

  4. Dijkstra hated not BASIC but GOTO by yerricde · · Score: 4, Informative

    Are there really people out there who haven't heard of Dijkstra?

    In his paper dissing goto statements, Dijkstra didn't consider BASIC syntax harmful. He considered BASIC's distinctive "feature" at the time, namely overuse of goto, harmful. He considered languages without else, for, and while harmful. Guess what? Microsoft QBasic and most other semi-modern BASIC descendants have else, for, and while and rarely use goto.

    --
    Will I retire or break 10K?
  5. Starting points for K12 Linux... by circusnews · · Score: 5, Informative

    Your first stop should be Here


    Your second stop should be here


    Your third stop should be here


    Your forth stop should be here


    Your fifth stop should be here


    Open Office would be my choice for an office suite (that or Star Office)


    KDevelop is a decent enough development suite for use in a school, but with
    this age group I would use this
    project


    For a good teaching language This
    is a good place to start.


    Hope this helps!