GCompris

GCompris is an educational software which propose different activities to children from 2 to 10 years old. Some of the activities are game orientated, but nonetheless still educational.
computer discovery: keyboard, mouse, different mouse gesture, ...
algebra: table memory, enumeration, double entry table, mirror image, ...
science: the canal lock, the water cycle, the submarine, electric simulation ...
geography: place the country on the map
games: chess, memory, connect 4, oware, sudoku ...
reading: reading practice
other: learn to tell time, puzzle of famous paintings, vector drawing, cartoon making, ...

http://gcompris.net/-en-

Touch Typing

Do you want your kids or yourself to become a Touch Typist or just become better on the keyboard? Here is a program for you. It is a FREE on-line typing tutor. YOu can also go off line and continue to practice. It is available in multiple languages and also the Dvorak keyboard layout. Take a look and see.

http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/

OpenOffice from Sun Micosystems

Have you ever wondered what to do if you can't afford Microsoft Office for your computer? Here is a wonderful program for you to try, OpenOffice. As the name implies this is an open source program (meaning that it is being distributed for FREE).

I have loaded it on my iMac and been using it for the past month. I am able to open Word documents, Excel documents and Powerpoint presentations with no problems. I can make changes and then resend them and they still work on Office.

http://www.openoffice.org/

Priory Woods School

I am now mystified as to why I have not included this earlier on this blog!!

Priory Woods School is located in Middlesbrough UK. The school provides a quality, inclusive education for pupils with severe learning difficulties and those with profound and multiple needs.

On the site there are several areas to go to with wonderful and free activities. Start with Resources and then select Cause and Effect/Targeting Activities. If you are on Windows you will be able to download all of these to your computer for use. If on a Macintosh only some of them are downloadable. However, you can play all of them on-line anytime, anywhere.

What I like best about these activities is that they have many that are for older students with the need to still do this level of activity.

There are also interactive stories and educational programs. Have fun!

https://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.uk/

Starfall

Here is another great resource for young children. Starfall was designed for use with first graders but can be used with preschoolers to second grade. Starfall is a high quality website that works on developing a love of reading and writing. Starfall is played on the internet.

Address is: http://www.starfall.com/

Childsplay

Childsplay is a suite of educational games for young children. Also the use of the SDL libraries makes smooth animation and the playing of sound very easy. Childsplay uses a plugin system for the games, so you might want to check the Childsplay plugins page. (There are two built-in games: memory and a typing game.)

Available for Linux/Unix, Mac, Win

Address is: http://childsplay.sourceforge.net/

Large Pointers for Windows

Over 80 additional pointers and cursors for those with visual or perceptual difficulties. Icon styles include animated, colored, large, I-beams and circles.

The pointers have been designed here at the ACE Centre, so if you have a need or a suggestion for a particular pointer style, please let us know.

This is freeware available through the Ace-Center.

Address is: http://ace-centre.hostinguk.com/index.cfm?pageid=F5F26649-3048-7290-FEA80B8B637BF760