P.Nelson's List of Open Source Software and Other Freebies.

We already use some of these but there a quite a few we might want to consider for sy07/08.

All of these programs are FREE (open source) to use and redistribute.
Name	Description	Link
OpenOffice	Office suite	http://openoffice.org
Celestia	Galaxy simulation	http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
ClamWin	Free Anti-Virus with automatic updates	http://www.clamwin.com
Firefox	Better, safer browser than IE	http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
FreeMind	Idea mapping tool	http://freemind.sourceforge.net
GIMP	GNU Image Manipulation Program - Like PhotoShop	http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html
Inkscape	Vector Drawing and SVG Graphics program	http://inkscape.org/
OpenClipArt	SVG graphics, use with Inkscape	http://openclipart.org
Audacity	Sound editing	http://audacity.sourceforge.net You should also install the LAME MP3 plugin and others on the downloads page.
NVU	WYSIWYG Web Editor	http://www.nvu.com
Paint.NET	Paint Program	http://www.getpaint.net Install MS DOT.net framework first.
PDFCreator	Print any document as a PDF file	http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator
Scribus You'll also need GNU Ghostscript to use Scribus.	DesktopPublishing program - like Pagemaker	http://www.scribus.net http://www.gnu.org/software/ghostscript/ghostscript.html
SpyBot Search & Destroy	SpyWare Blocker Very good program	http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Stellarium	Night sky viewing program - very good	http://www.stellarium.org/
TightVNC	Allows virtual viewing and control of laptop	http://www.tightvnc.com/
TuxPaint	Simple paint program for younger children	http://www.tuxpaint.org Download the extra stamps too!
TuxType	Simple typing game	http://tuxtype.sourceforge.net
These programs are FREE to install and use. Downloads are available through distributor's web sites.
Google Earth	3D Earth mapping with satellite imaging. Very cool...	http://earth.google.com
Ad-Aware	Anti-spyware	http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Adobe Flash, Acrobat, Shockwave	Browser plugins from Adobe. You'll need to download and install these AFTER you install Firefox.	http://www.adobe.com/downloads/
iTunes	Supplies Qucktime and software to subscribe to podcasts	http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
MS dot net framework	Required for various programs	http://www.microsoft.com/net
Real Player	Player for real media audio and video	http://www.realnetworks.com/products/free_trial.html
RealProducer Basic	Create your own real media from audio and video clips	http://www.realnetworks.com/products/free_trial.html
Burniso	Simple iso cdrom burner	Download link
Skype	Free Internet phone software	http://skype.com

HotChalk and NBC News

The Hotchalk Learning Environment offers educational benefits of linking up with NBC: access to a bank of news videos, online resource banks which can be contributed to and updated and the creation of online classes. The content is linked to American standards, that said the wealth raw footage and primary documents within documentaries, news reports, pictures, political cartoons both current and going back as far as 1920's, is broad. Transcripts are available for all videos. The point was made that delving into the primary sources and listening to historical figures speak work students are better able to form their own ideas and opinions. It would be worth our while to register individually and try it out in August(it is free right now, 30 days then we have to pay).

Sign up

Wrongly or rightly, I have included some screen shots of various resources below, from the website to pique people's interest in it.

From historic footage to the latest events, NBC News and HotChalk will help you bring the real world into your classroom in a safe, secure online environment built with you and your students in mind.

•	A searchable archive with thousands of historic video resources, mini-documentaries, primary sources, text resources, and images aligned to classroom instruction
•	Access to current event topics tied to core curriculum in a safe, student-friendly environment
•	Special bonus video collections including Decision 08', Black History Month, Women's Studies, Global Studies, Forensic Science and so much more!
•	Daily topics added so your video resources are always current and up-to-date - FREE lesson plans, classroom ideas from NBC News Producers, instructional advice, and more!

Copyright and Fair Use

Copyright law in regards to education is not as clear cut as many of us would like. This can be frustrating for teachers and students when trying to put together dynamic projects and the 10 second rule while a good guideline, may not always be the best alternative.

Peter Jaszi out of American University has been working to put together new guidelines for this gray area that will hopefully help educators sort it all out. Until then there are some good websites out there that try to aid us when wrestling with this situation.

fair use

cyberbee

copyright kids

Tony Jongejan of Western Washington University gave an interesting presentation on the topic at NECC.

Some of his resources are below.

Supporting Research

Website: http://www.cyberbee.com/copyrt.html
'Access Denied: The Limits of Fair Use' by Elliot Zaret
Website: http://www.copyrightkids.org
Copyright Website: http://www.benedict.com
Copyright Website: Multimedia Copyright Guidelines for Students
Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Ready Reference & Copyright
The UT System Crash Course in Copyright
Copyright in the Electronic Environment
'Right to Copy?' by Stephanie Gold

Producing a School News Show

A group of teachers and administrators from Vestavia Hills Elementary School gave this presentation. Interestingly enough they started producing their news shows in a closet. While the recording room at our school is no studio, it is larger than a closet and will be big enough for our initial purposes. Some of the reasons they cited for producing a weekly or class news show were that it:

• enhances instructional programs


• increases writing and communication skills


• allows kids to practice decision making


• exposes students to various professions related to broadcast journalism


• helps students to better understand ethical cultural and societal issues


• Provides experience with operating technology tools


• Increases productivity


• improves research skills


• improves problem-solving and decision making.


• meets NETs Standards on all levels.

Some things it was suggested we consider over the course of this next year, as we build our broadcasting program are: lights ?

• a modulator for close circuit? What about Ustreaming and parking it on the web?


• rolling tripods?


• shower curtain props!!


• video and audio mixers?

Eventually if this takes off as I hope it will the next question I hope we will be asking is: Will our recording room suffice as we move along or could a larger room be made available?