Find educational software for kids in the age of 6 - 14
Step:
4
Using the computers for educational support was suggested by some of the neighbours.
Paul has been in touch with some schools in the area, that will send their students to the computer centre once it's opened.
They really like the idea of supporting the education of the kids (6 - 14) with the use of computer software: "while the children learn to use the computer, to make the learning experience fun, is to introduce different subjects that they learn at school in a digital way ie. math, science, geography, history, English or French, etc."
Help us find this software, and find out if it's freely available.
Hi Mary,
I was just looking at some of these and most don't work on a Mac. I also realized I have never burned any software to a CD before! So...Mary would you be able to burn them this weekend?
I will also send the few I have already, but they are really more games (still educational). Will this be okay Mary?
I will also take a look at a local store that sells used software, and see if I can get a good deal. I also sent a note to my son's teacher to see if she or any other teachers have any software programs they would like to donate. Many teachers often have some they don't need or use anymore. Will let you know.
Barb
Hi Mary and Barb ,
Thank you so much for all that you are doing for Jinja central I have once met with DANIEL and he promised to help me when the computers are here so i have not yet known what he will do and what he will not .
I think Mary i do kindly help me where possible and down load which so ever you come across that is educational and we will be using the as per the groups.
Pelle is the one who has the answer for what is installed in the computers sent and what is not there so i know he will give you the right answers.
Thank you all for the hard work done :-D
Hi Paul and Barb
I will aim to put the software onto CDs over the weekend, although it may take me a little longer than that as I have to check through the sites that people have posted!
Mary
A quick progress update...
I have started going through those sites and downloading things that I think may be useful. I don't think I will have time to get right through them until the end of the week.
Paul, I will let you know once I have sent the CD.
Mary
Hi Mary,
Good to hear that! I've tried some children programs that i found via other links, but they were not really worth the effort. Hope you are luckier :-)
To all others: online courses won't work for now... the centre doesn't have an internet connection yet.
Keep up the good work!
Pelle
(P.S. Just checked GCompris, which seems pretty good. Did you download that? I'll get in touch with them about the license, which is needed for the Windows version)
Hi Pelle
I have downloaded a variety so far - mostly maths, English and geography, plus one or two other bits and pieces. A couple more of the sites Barb posted look interesting so will go through those too before sending anything. Yes have got gcompris.
Not having children I am not certain what will be most useful but as it is all free stuff Paul can play around with it and see what is helpful and what is not.
Its worth keeping a note of the online ones for later, when the centre does have access.
Mary
Hi!
I have downloaded quite a lot of software from the various sites that Barb and others have posted on here. A list is attached. Mostly maths, English and geography.
If anyone has any suggestions of things to add, let me know over the next couple of days. I will then put it on a CD and send to Paul.
Paul, its difficult for me to judge which of this will be helpful to you, but once you have the computers you can load the stuff that looks interesting and try it.
Also attached is a list of the documents that will also be on the CD. Again, suggestions for additions are welcome
Mary
Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for the work done i really appreciate i believe Pelle will agree with me of what i've gone through. Except when you have something to add on but i think this is great job done. Thank you.
Paul
Wow!!!
What an extensive list of software :-o
Great work, Mary!
Paul, you better find a teacher to help you select the programs to use :-D
Pelle
Hi!
I will wait a couple of days to see if any other neighbours have suggestions of anything to add, then put it on a CD and send it to Paul.
I will let you know once I have sent it. Not sure exactly how long it will take to arrive - our post office says about five working days to Uganda, but not sure if that is for Kampala or the whole country. The last thing I sent to Uganda took just over a week but that was to Lira not Jinja...
Mary
You might also want to consider Edubuntu ("Linux for young human beings"). I was involved in setting up an ICT center in a rural district in Eastern Uganda recently - and the young children especially enjoyed the games that come with Edubuntu, including a cool typing tutor for kids.
Hi Mary,
Jinja should be even easier than Lira... it's closer :) (and bigger)
Ska, welcome to Jinja!
Thanks for the suggestion... unfortunately I fear it won't fit, the computers I've sent run Windows XP. Or does Edubuntu work on Windows too?
Pelle
Hi!
I was hoping to cut the CD tonight but am having a few technical problems which I hope I will be able to sort out over the weekend. At that point I will find out which of the two places things get to quickest!!!
Edubuntu - http://www.edubuntu.org/ - is an education-focused version of Ubuntu Linux. As the computers have Windows on them, I guess it makes sense to stick with that for now, although in theory it is possible to set a machine up to run both. It will also run directly off a CD.
May be a good option one day, or for other villages though, so it is a good suggestion. It is possible to order free CDs from their website, as for other versions of Ubuntu.
Hi Ska
do you know the name of that typing program? It may have a Windows version too. I have included one called RapidTyping - http://www.rapidtyping.com/ - but if the one you found runs on Windows and is particularly popular with children I can include that too.
Mary
Okay, I see. Well, as Mary suggested, the game, Tux Type, can be downloaded separately and runs on Windows: http://tuxtype.sourceforge.net
Thanks Ska. I will add it to the list.
You posted that you have been working with another group who set up a computer centre in Uganda. Do you or they have any advice on things that Paul can do to help make the centre a success?
If so, it would be great if you could post them undet the Business Plan or Training Programme tasks!
Although Paul is already getting assistance from a Ugandan neighbour called Daniel who has experience with similar projects, I am sure he would welcome contact with others in Uganda who have done similar things.
Mary