Who doesn't like free things? In a time of budget cuts and layoffs, educators will take almost anything they can get for free. But, free software that can be used and integrated into curriculum, you bet! It's called Open Source and after reviewing some of the many applications available from SourceForge.net, this will be my first go-to when in need of software.
Meet Tux, the cartoon penguin. He will help guide you through Tux Paint, a drawing and painting program for children. This Open Source software very much resembles (in my mind) KidPix in what it has to offer, but again, it's free! Tux Paint is multiplatform and multilingual, making it accessible to a variety of users. It includes several parent and teacher controls such as disabling print, quit and sound.
The choices for drawing tools in Tux Paint is incredible. Users can choose to use the following: paintbrush, rubber stamp, line tool, shape tool, text tool, magic (special effects like smudging and rippling) tool, eraser or undo. Within each tool an assortment of options can be manipulated like color, font, size, and thickness. Parents or teachers can also add to the database of stamps, fonts, and brushes through a separate download.
The incorporation of varying sound effects when tools are selected and used make this an engaging program for children. Both text and pictures are used to display the different options, making it appealing to non-readers and readers. Tux's helpful and friendly advice at the bottom of the screen explains how to use each tool. Tux Paint has won several awards, including SourceForge Project of the Month in June 2011.
The possibilities for using this software in the classroom are endless. Young children can learn how to manipulate the mouse, while others can illustrate their own page to a classroom book or write and illustrate their own story. Additionally, the variety of shapes can be used to reinforce geometry concepts. I actually think this is the program I will have the students use in my PBL!
Be sure to try Tux Paint and allow your imagination to soar!
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tuxpaint/
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