Old School learning for a new generation

GCompris Activity Suite

http://gcompris.net/index-en.html
http://gcompris.net/screenshots-en.html

GCompris is an open source (free to use for Linux, about $10 for windows and mac) activity suite which provides a wide range of activities for students 2-10. While not as polished as most commercial suites, it does offer a lot of activities. What offsets the inconsistencies in quality, is the ability to select individual packages to suit your need and taste.

Examples are: computer training, arithmetic, science, geography, games, reading and art. GCompirs very much reminds me of the early days of computer education, before form became more important than substance.

Of course the cost would give a school district pause, but I believe the price to very reasonable considering the amount of content provided. I know when we purchased learning software for my children, each individual CD rom could cost up to $20 and certainly didn't provide as much content as this suite.

The biggest issue is that in order to get the most out of the software, you need to be running Linux. As most schools are using either Macs or Window boxes, it could be a big issue as far as acceptance goes. The counter-argument is that at Linux system often has much less hardware requirements and therefor the investment in technology will be considerably less that with the other two.

The way to eliminate the cost altogether would be to use Linux as the main operating system, removing the cost not only for GCompris, but of Windows/Mac licensing as well...and less expensive technology. I know it would be a hard sell, as people prefer to use technology they are familiar with and wish provide students with knowledge they can use.

However there's a big picture way to examine this question. Most people have no idea what operating system they use, save the bare minimum. What they do know is what software they use, even then only at the most basic terms. So I submit that at this stage of their development, all students need to know are the lessons they are being taught. The don't need to see the gears behind the screen, only what happens when they point, click and learn.

Further, Linux has done a lot to shed its geekiness and is more accessible than ever. Besides I would expect the systems to be maintained by technical people, who should be able to handle a Linux install. Also it is quite common to have systems with dual OS, Windows and Linux on the same computer.

The low equipment requirement (Pentium 3) makes it extremely accessible to students or districts with reduced resources. It works on multiple OS's, including older versions (XP) and supports multiple languages.

GCompirs provides the ability not only for under-represented and under-served communities to have access to learning tools, it also allows 2nd/3rd world countries access as well. So while not perfect, it can be a great tool to provide low cost learning to students and locations which simply lack the funding to purchase the best and brightest, but need access nevertheless.