I’ve been working in Educational ICT settings since 2002 as an IT Technician, Network Manager and IT Co-ordinator, and as you can imagine, I have come across a lot of different educational software programs over the years. Whilst I can’t distribute the paid products, here are a selection of my favourite free software programs for use in schools with a brief description of the product. Some of these products are open source, others are just freeware programs. 

Audacity - sound editing software - requires LAME to create MP3’s. See here for help with LAME.

BlockCAD - create virtual models with Lego-like building bricks.

OpenOffice.org - open source productivity suite, similar to Microsoft Office and Lotus Works.

Paint.NET - photo editing software - basic tool set to work with photos, similar to Photoshop.

Pivot - create stick figure animations - a good intro into Stop Motion Animation techniques.

MonkeyJam - stop motion animation software, for creating clay mation or similar animations.

Microsoft Photostory - photo slideshow software - requires Media Player 10.

If you have other software you’d like to share, please e-mail me - kevin@buildingthefuture.com.au.