Open Source in the Primary Grades

So the search is on for quality Open Source applications to use in the Primary Grades.

The first application I would like to report on is Tux Paint. This is a wonderful Art program that allows the students to create unique works of art as well as add some visual stamps. This programs allows the user to use a multitude of tools to create their work.

Pro's: Quality of work is amazing, tools are sophistated, yet easy to use, takes very little time to learn.


Con's: Stamps can be an issue. When installing stamps, I would leave out the military stamps as the guns do not have a place in schools. The typing tool is very limited and makes it very difficult to do editting. Printing output is on 3/4 sheet of paper.


Overall, this is a great free application to use for Kindergarten students and with some First Grade students. Switching to an alternative program for the older grades would be recommended.

Tux Paint - http://www.tuxpaint.org/

*Tux Pic of Tools, Retrieved on March 8, 2011 from http://www.freetrialdownloads.com/

*Pic of Tux, Retrieved on March 8, 2011 from http://www.software.wikia.com/

Reviews:

http://tuxpaint.org/reviews/

Task 065 - LJ Dutton's Movie - Life Cycle of a Plant

This is an example of the task 065 posting of my Photo Story - Life Cycle of a Plant (task 064a). Please enjoy while you watch!

Yodio - Sound Script Overlay - Story Time - Task 36 - LJD

Task 052 LJ's Jing Tutorial Video on Study Island

This video tutorial shows you how to login to Study Island and choose an activity. Please click on the link below to view the tutorial video.

http://www.screencast.com/users/Dutton/folders/Jing/media/3c34be65-3764-4afc-b812-c5ca1b400a3f

Thanks for viewing!
LJ

Task 0210 - Editorial Post

During this task we were to take one photo and crop the photo to create a different perspective.

Here is my original photo:


















Here is my edited photo:












By editing the photo, the audience is able to come up with different stories or possibilities as to what is happening to the boy (my son) in the picture.

Task 018 LJ's Illustrated Poster

This is an example of my Task 16/17 illustrated poster. It is a famous educational quote from an unknow author. Very classic and very true! I can't wait to see what everyone else came up with.