Computer Lab Educational Software Recommendations?

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Permalink Reply by Jill Miller on February 3, 2011 at 7:35pm

I teach in a 1st - 5th computer lab and have found Kidspiration and Kidpix to be the best.  Kidspiration (http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration) is for students in K-5. It is graphic organizer that is designed for visual learning.  It can be used for all subjects and includes many templates for students to use.  They offer a 30 day free trial if you want to try it out.

Kidpix (http://www.mackiev.com/kidpix/index.html) is an engaging, easy to use drawing program that has so much potential across the curriculum. Students can type content and illustrate it and can create slides for a slideshow (a good introduction to PowerPoint).

You can also download Tux Paint (http://www.tuxpaint.org/download/) (it won't require Internet access once downloaded). It is similar to Kidpix, without the slideshow option...and best of all it is free.

Hope this helps!

Permalink Reply by Nancy Tue on February 4, 2011 at 6:17am

For 2nd grade, Timez Attack. It is a free download. I know they don't teach multiplication until 3rd, however, the students love it so much, they want to play. I have seen an improvement in math for the students who use it. At the end of the year, I even have 1st graders doing Timez Attack. Any of them can learn their 2's.

For keyboarding I use Dance Mat Typing. I bring up the section I want and save it so they can still access it when the Internet goes down.