I’m always searching for free ( open source ) alternatives to commercial software apps for use in my classroom.

It takes so long to get the district purchasing department to make moves of any kind for software.

Here is a little list I’ve compiled of some interesting apps for use by home schoolers ( Nia Knowles!) or cash strapped math departments.

Enjoy!

GeoGebra is a free alternative to the Geometer’s Sketchpad. It looks to be a really good tool to help students visualize Geometry, Algebra, Pre-Calc, And Calc concepts.

Lots of my professors reccommend Mathematica for generating visual representation of equations, etc. I just can’t bring myself to buy it so I thought above giving Sage a try. It’s supposed to do the same things that Mathematica does…for free.

I’m actually downloading EduBuntu as I type this. I’ve been confronted by the dreaded Blue Screen of Death for the last time on my home desktop and have decided to abandon Windows operating systems in my home…and eventually my classroom.  EduBuntu is a linux based operating system designed specifically for the educational community. In addition to it being much more secure and crash free than Windows…it’s also free! Give it a try if you have an older machine laying around or are just tired of dealing with the Blue Screen of Death.

Gimp and Gimpshop are great free alternative for Photoshop. This is great if your school has an art department or program or if you have students who are just interested in computer graphics. Gimp is actually the app and Gimpshop is a plugin that makes it operate like Photoshop.  If your students ever decide that art school is the move for them then can easily make the transition from Gimpshop to Photoshop.

Feel free to share links to your favorite open source educational freebies.