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FREE online resources and downloadable programs for learners and their teachers.

The resource I’m featuring today is a downloadable program that must be installed on your computer. It is a program, however, with exciting Web 2.0 characteristics. The creators of Scratch have provided an online platform for sharing whatever you create. Speaking of the creators, they call themselves the “Lifelong Kindergarten Group” at MIT. It seems that we have some so-called adults who have figured out a brilliant way to play all day and get paid for it.

Scratch (downloadable program) This is one of the most exciting free programs I’ve come across in a long time. Scratch enables a user to create interactive computer animations, games, art, music, and digital stories. Creating these programs and activities is as easy as snapping Lego blocks together onscreen. Scratch creations, however, can range from basic to complex and sophisticated.

Although the program has been designed as a “programming language” for children, it can also be used to create activities for children. I didn’t have as much time to explore as I would have liked, but it was enough to discover that I could easily create custom math activities for some of the special needs children that I support.

The color-coded interlocking building blocks for putting together programs include blocks for: motion; control; looks; sensing; sound; numbers; pen (drawing and stamping); variables. Many of the individual blocks can be programmed to offer an infinite range of possibilities. The Scratch user interface, pictured below, is straightforward and intuitive. Blocks are simply dragged from the panel on the left and dropped into the middle panel, where they are fitted together. What you see in the middle panel is the program for the activity that can be seen on the right. You do have the option of making the activities full screen.

Programming with Scratch requires a significant learning curve. I suspect that in most instances it should not be introduced much before the middle school level.

The “Scratchers” at MIT, however, have provided some very helpful video and pdf resources to help get started. These can be accessed via the program’s Help menu or from the Scratch website. Perhaps the best way of learning to use Scratch, however, is by looking at how others have put their programs together. When you download and open a Scratch activity, you can see exactly how it has been made. In fact, you can make your own modifications to create variations and new activities. For those with limited access to the internet, Scratch comes with a significant range of sample activities.

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Here is a very helpful resource that I’ve put on the Content & Curriculum page.

SENSwitcher (online resource) is a suite of 132 activities designed to help teach computer skills to people with profound and multiple learning difficulties, especially those who need to develop skills with alternative input devices. These sequenced activities target skills sequentially, from purely experiential through cause and effect, switch building, timed activation, targeting and row scanning.

The activities have been developed by InclusiveTechnology and implementation strategies have been prepared by the folks at Priory Woods. This systematic set of activities have been designed to be used online or downloaded to be used offline. We have experienced difficulties in installing the programs after downloading them, but they work fine online. SENSwitcher, along with support material, can be found at Northern Grid.

SENSwitcher runs in both Windows and Mac.

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This is a re-write of, and I hope an improvement on, an earlier posting about a program that deserves special attention.

Celestia is a free program that is so amazing that it is hard to believe it has been developed and offered as a free resource to the world. If your computer experience is limited, learning to use Celestia effectively may require some help from a friend. Still, I encourage you to download this incredible program and give it a test drive. Once you’ve downloaded and opened Celestia, go to the Help Menu and click on “Run Demo”.

Celestia (downloadable program) This is a “…free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions! Celestia doesn’t confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.” This is super cool, and you can download this open source program and find out much more at http://www.shatters.net/celestia/. There are exciting add-ons and instructional units available from the “Motherlode”, but it requires a little computer savvy to install them. Entire educational units have been prepared for students in grades 7 – 12. A 46-page downloadable User’s Guide has been prepared by Frank Gregorio. Further support is available through forums hosted on Celestia’s website.

This program is cross-platform: Windows, Mac, Linux

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Most people I encounter have already had some worthwhile fun with Google Earth. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’m confident you’ll thoroughly enjoy the experience when you do. This free program from Google is so much fun that I have put it on my Cool Stuff page. This is the third resource from Google that I have listed recently. Whatever the motivation may be, Google deserves credit for offering some very worthwhile and high quality free products.

Google Earth (downloadable program) This is a free downloadable program from Google that can enrich anyone’s life, including his or her curriculum at school. In Google’s own words, “The idea is simple. It’s a globe that sits inside your PC. You point and zoom to anyplace on the planet that you want to explore. Satellite images and local facts zoom into view. Tap into Google search to show local points of interest and facts. Zoom to a specific address to check out an apartment or hotel. View driving directions and even fly along your route.” If you haven’t yet experienced Google Earth, and used it to explore your world, you will be rewarded handsomely for checking it out. If you want to learn more about Google Earth, go to http://earth.google.com/.

This program is cross-platform. Earlier versions were available for Windows and Mac. The latest version will run in Linux as well.

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I’ve put this one on my Cool Stuff page because it is such a wonderful program for the individual who needs help in reading websites. It could make all the difference in terms of productivity for that person.

Web Talkster (downloadable program) This wonderful free program is a versatile talking web browser that reads web pages aloud to you! In other words, this migh be called an e-text reader dedicated to online content. You have the option of having it read an entire page, selected text, or the contents of the clipboard. Web Talkster was developed by Code-it Software, but you have to go to http://www.freebstuff.com/web_talkster.htm to download the program. Code-it offers numerous other free programs at http://www.freebstuff.com. Before using this talking browser, it is probably a good idea to view the tutorial video.

This program runs in Windows only.

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Today’s entry is from the Cool Stuff page, but it is really productivity software for individuals who need special access to the computer. Although the program is completely free, it is full featured and it functions well.

Click-N-Type (downloadable program) Click-N-Type is a versatile free on-screen keyboard. You can enlarge the keyboard, choose alternative layouts, and it will scan for switch users. Multiple languages are supported. For English, you can also add word prediction by downloading and installing a separate executable file. This program is from Lake Software.

This program runs in Windows only.

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Do you enjoy creating with lego? Here’s an opportunity to do just that without having to spread blocks out all over the floor. In fact, your computer will keep all the different types and colours of blocks neatly organized for you. The computer will also carefully store your creations, at all stages of development. You can even save earlier versions of your lego art in case you want to go back and build on an earlier foundation. This program has the potential to constructively engage kids of all ages–from 6 to 106. I’ve listed this amazing program on my “Cool Stuff” page, but it would also belong on “Content and Curriculum”.

BlockCAD (downloadable program) BlockCAD is a free onscreen lego program where you can build and save lego creations on your computer. This program is sophisticated and attractive. There is a tremendous variety of lego blocks to choose from, so the options for creative art and problem solving are virtually unlimited. In addition to the potential for fun, this program might be used in a wide variety of ways–perhaps to investigate concepts in science, to illustrate social studies projects, or to explore three dimensional graphic design. Download the program, as well as additional resources at Anders’ Corner of the Web . You’ll also find a gallery of virtual creations built by others. It can be a bit challenging to learn how to work the program, but some online help is available. For those who persevere, the journey is well worthwhile!

This program runs in Windows.

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This entry is really worth a look. Sebran’s ABC has been around for a while, but it offers an excellent set of learning activities for young children. I like Sebran’s ABC so much that I’ve listed it on my Cool Stuff page. It really belongs with Content & Curriculum.

Sebran’s ABC (downloadable program) This is a whole suite of free, open source, high quality activities that support early learning–literacy, numeracy, problem solving, and even keyboard (typing) skills. There are colourful images, catchy music (that can be turned off), and wonderful contrast. Check it out or download it from www.wartoft.nu/software/sebran/.

This program runs in Windows.

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Today I’ve added another valuable free program to my “Cool Stuff” page. This program really is a wonderful resource, especially if you want to offer young children a set of tools for creative expression on the computer.

Tux Paint (downloadable program) Tux Paint is a free drawing program designed for young children (ages 3 and up). It has a simple, easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who helps guide children as they use the program. To download, and for more information about the program, including videos that demonstrate how to use various features, visit http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/ Be sure to check out the extensive gallery of art work from around the world that has been created by young artists with Tux Paint.

This program runs in Windows, Mac and Linux.

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Hello again. Today I’ve added two more listings, both of them links to great free online resources.

On the Cool Stuff page, I’ve listed a site that is a wonderful resource for anyone helping kids learn to access computers via either touch screen or switches. Actually, this isn’t just a place to go to work onscreen. It is also the source of many excellent downloadable activities that you can keep on your computer. Here’s the listing:

Priory Woods (online resource) This is the wonderful website of Priory Woods School in Middlesbrough in the UK. I’ve called this an online resource, but while there are many worthwhile online activities here designed for children with special needs, the site is also a repository of downloadable programs and activities. In fact, there are over 150 available free downloads here for individuals who access the computer via either switch or touch screen. There is also much information that can be helpful for curriculum planning and IEP development when working with students with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities. You’ll find recommendations for other software here as well.

The second entry for today has gone up on Content & Curriculum, and it is definitely worth checking out these online activities if you haven’t already done so: