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Educational Software To Donate With Laptop?

Posted by simoniker on from the doom-not-very-educational dept.

SlartibartfastJunior writes "I will be sending my four-year-old laptop to a school in Uganda this fall. I plan to load up an older version of Windows (or something free), and I need suggestions - what should I load on it? I need suggestions for educational games, educational software, etc. that won't drain my battery too much (since the computer will only be able to recharge at night), won't require a CD (since my drive doesn't work 80% of the time), and won't be too America-centered (most of these children have never been more than ten miles out of their own villages, and wouldn't understand "Oregon Trail"). Also, any great ideas on where I can acquire copies of this software?"

9 of 332 comments (clear)

  1. Celestia by samrolken · · Score: 4, Informative

    Celestia rocks. It's a free (GPL program/public domain data) program where you fly arond space and see stars and planets and stuff. Educational, fun, and free!

    --
    samrolken
  2. The OpenCD! by Chuck+Bucket · · Score: 5, Informative

    The OpenCD is the obvious choice. Mod this down if it's already been listed.

    CB

    --
    free ipod and free gmail!
  3. What level are the kids at? by wellwatch · · Score: 4, Informative

    Depending on the grade level of the kids, go with something like number crunchers.

    Childsplay
    OFSET
    ... and of course good old tux typing
    Tux Typing
    and that was just in 5 minutes on Source Forge

    --
    "He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction here and merely hoped.
  4. Burn project gutenberg CDs by hey! · · Score: 5, Informative

    Project gutenberg makes there collection available as isos. Burn a couple copies of each and bundle with the laptop.

    Bang: you've just donated a library not an obsolet laptop!

    --
    Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
  5. octave by brysnot · · Score: 5, Informative

    best matlab clone out there

  6. Which part of Uganda is the school? by has2k1 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I am very familiar with Uganda b'se it my mother country. One thing to note is depending on the location of the school and what type of school it is the software needs will be totally different. If you can give more info like the name of the school and where it is located in Uganda i can give u more useful data about the major requirements of different schools.

  7. Freeduc by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative
    Try Freeduc. It's a linux based distribution especially designed for education. So you get both a free operating system and lots of educational software. I think it was financed by UNESCO or some similar organisation.

    If you go the windows route (which frankly I don't recommend) I'd go with OpenOffice, TheOpenCD and Gnuwin II for lots of free software.

    Dave.

  8. Typing tutor by vocaro · · Score: 4, Informative

    I need suggestions for educational games

    I taught computer literacy in Ghana, West Africa (see my site), and I didn't find much use for games, educational or otherwise. For one, such software usually assumes a native-level English language ability, which I doubt any student in Uganda will have. Also, you have to keep in mind that most students there may never have even seen a computer before. They will likely be intimidated even by the most basic educational software.

    You know what program my students really loved? Notepad! None of them had ever used a computer, so the chance just to type their names was a huge thrill. It helped them overcome their fear of the computer and move on to more advanced programs...such as Minesweeper. (Seriously! They loved it.) They also loved Paint for similar reasons; it was a great way for them to learn how to use the mouse. So, instead of fancy games or educational software, I recommend supplying a simple typing tutor with your laptop. The students will likely benefit from and enjoy it far more than any game.

    However, I did find that certain educational titles such as The Way Things Work are helpful as visual aids for science lessons. They do not provide much benefit when used by students alone (again, because of the language barrier and intimidation), but when used by a teacher as part of a group lesson, they can be quite useful.

    any great ideas on where I can acquire copies of this software?

    Half.com has lots of stuff available second-hand. I've picked up software there for one or two dollars per title.

    my drive doesn't work 80% of the time

    Then perhaps there is no point donating this laptop. Without a CD-ROM, it will be nearly impossible for the recipient to add new software, upgrade the OS, etc. And I doubt they will have the ability to fix or replace what is likely a proprietary part. I strongly suggest getting the drive replaced before sending it, or at least providing an external one as an alternative. (You can get second-hand ones pretty cheap.) Otherwise, the gift you are sending could be just a liability.

    Trevor
  9. Tux Paint! by Bill+Kendrick · · Score: 4, Informative

    Tux Paint isn't a teaching tool, but it contains educational aspects. It's already been translated into 40+ languages, and we're always happy to accept more!

    Other stuff from Tux4Kids would be good, as well. All/most of it is cross-platform and, of course, open source. :^)

    -bill!