Changes

The use of free and open technologies also avoids vendor lock-ins, these lock-ins can affect continuity of the program, if the vendor stops their support. FOSS applications can be periodically upgraded without licensing constraints, which would enable the use of more relevant applications or versions.

The use of free and open technologies also avoids vendor lock-ins, these lock-ins can affect continuity of the program, if the vendor stops their support. FOSS applications can be periodically upgraded without licensing constraints, which would enable the use of more relevant applications or versions.

==== Free and open technology architecture ====

=== Free and open technology architecture ===

The public ownership of ICT infrastructure and resources can enable universal access and equitable participation. Since the government school system is huge, its choice of free and open technologies could support the building of the ecosystem for free and open technologies as well. This is seen in the [http://it@schools.in IT@Schools] program of Kerala.

The public ownership of ICT infrastructure and resources can enable universal access and equitable participation. Since the government school system is huge, its choice of free and open technologies could support the building of the ecosystem for free and open technologies as well. This is seen in the [http://it@schools.in IT@Schools] program of Kerala.

# Ubuntu GNU/Linux used in both the Karnataka and Telangana programs is customised in Kannada, Telugu and many Indian languages. '''Ubuntu GNU/Linux has the IBUS software in-built which  allows us to type in all major Indian languages, so it can be used in our schools for other languages also'''. Note that Ubuntu uses UNICODE standard for fonts, which is accepted internationally and also by Government of India policy

# Ubuntu GNU/Linux used in both the Karnataka and Telangana programs is customised in Kannada, Telugu and many Indian languages. '''Ubuntu GNU/Linux has the IBUS software in-built which  allows us to type in all major Indian languages, so it can be used in our schools for other languages also'''. Note that Ubuntu uses UNICODE standard for fonts, which is accepted internationally and also by Government of India policy

# There are numerous free and open '''vocational educational tools''' for '''desktop publishing, video editing, animation etc.'''  

# There are numerous free and open '''vocational educational tools''' for '''desktop publishing, video editing, animation etc.'''  

# Many states use FOSS applications in their school programs. The Kerala [[Mailto:IT@Schools|IT@Schools]] program, Subject Teachers Forum program of Karnataka and Telangana use FOSS platforms and tools.

# Many states use FOSS applications in their school programs. The Kerala IT@Schools program, Subject Teachers Forum program of Karnataka and Telangana use FOSS platforms and tools.

# Teachers and students can study the software and customise additional software packages for their own use. They can also share the tools with others  

# Teachers and students can study the software and customise additional software packages for their own use. They can also share the tools with others  

# Government of India has issued the 'open standards in eGovernance' policy in November 2010, which requires government departments to use only open standards. The OpenOffice document standard (ODF) has been notified under this policy, while the MS Office format .doc is not open and hence not notified under thus policy

# Government of India has issued the '[http://egovstandards.gov.in/sites/default/files/Policy on Open Standards for e-Governance.pdf open standards in e-Governance'] policy in November 2010, which requires government departments to use only open standards. The OpenOffice document standard (ODF) has been notified under this policy, while the MS Office format .doc is not open and hence not notified under thus policy

# FOSS is available in all subjects, which allows us to integrate computer into regular teaching learning. The table below provides some popular FOSS subject tools.

# FOSS is available in all subjects, which allows us to integrate computer into regular teaching learning. The table below provides some popular FOSS subject tools.

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|-

| rowspan="5" |

| rowspan="5" |

'''SCIENCE'''

'''SCIENCE'''

|Kalzium

|Kalzium

|Kalzium shows the periodic table and the properties of elements. It is an encyclopedia, explaining states of matter, evolution of elements. Basic equations can be balanced using this tool.

|Kalzium shows the periodic table and the properties of elements. It is an encyclopedia, explaining states of matter, evolution of elements. Basic equations can be balanced using this tool.

|-

|-

|KStars

|KStars

|Desktop planetarium-Astronomy with over 130000 stars, all planets, etc.

|Desktop planetarium-Astronomy with over 130000 stars, all planets, etc.

|-

|-

|Stellarium

|Stellarium

|This is a desktop planetarium software that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars.

|This is a desktop planetarium software that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars.

|-

|-

|PhET

|PhET

|Fun, interactive simulations of physical phenomenon  

|Fun, interactive simulations of physical phenomenon  

|-

|-

|KTechLab

|KTechLab

|Can be used to build your own circuits and explain various components  

|Can be used to build your own circuits and explain various components  

|-

|-

| rowspan="3" |

| rowspan="3" |

'''MATHS'''

'''MATHS'''

|Geogebra

|Geogebra

|An algebra and geometry package providing for both graphical and algebraic input, very versatile to create lesson plans and resources for maths learning

|An algebra and geometry package providing for both graphical and algebraic input, very versatile to create lesson plans and resources for maths learning

|-

|-

|Tux Math

|Tux Math

|A fun game through which children can practise their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  

|A fun game through which children can practise their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  

|-

|-

|KBruch

|KBruch

|This tool can be used to explain fractions as well as for the children to practice arithmetic problems.  

|This tool can be used to explain fractions as well as for the children to practice arithmetic problems.  

|-

|-

|'''LOGIC'''

|'''LOGIC'''

|KTurtle

|TurtleBlocks

|K Turtle can be used to create exercises to learn logic.  

|TurtleBlocks can be used to create exercises to learn logic.  

|-

|-

| rowspan="2" |'''SOCIAL STUDIES'''

| rowspan="2" |'''Geography'''

|KGeography

|KGeography

|Quiz on different states and capitals across the globe

|Political geography tool.

|-

|-

|Marble  

|Marble  

|This acts as a dynamic desktop atlas.  

|This acts as a dynamic desktop atlas to explain physical geography.  

|-

|-

| rowspan="4" |

| rowspan="4" |

'''ENGLISH'''

'''ENGLISH'''

|KHangman

|KHangman

|Guess the correct work with a certain number of guesses allowed

|Guess the correct work with a certain number of guesses allowed

|-

|-

|KAnagram

|KAnagram

|Unscramble the word

|Unscramble the word for vocabulary development. IndicAnagram supports complex words in Hindi, Telugu and Kannada

|-

|-

|KLettres

|KLettres

|Identify the alphabets by recognising the sound

|Identify the alphabets by recognising the sound

|-

|-

|'''Tux Typing'''

|'''Tux Typing'''

|Tux Typing" is an educational typing tutor.

|Tux Typing" is an educational typing tutor.

|}

|}

[[Category:A Professional Learning Community Approach for Teacher Development and OER creation - A toolkit]]

[[Category:A Professional Learning Community Approach for Teacher Development and OER creation - A toolkit]]