GPL Edutainment Software 190
haxot writes "I'm the technologist at a local library. In our lab, I've managed to get some recognition for tools such as GIMP and Open Office, and even such toys as Bomberman and BZFlag. Now I'm turning towards the children's computers, which are mostly filled with ancient, buggy, rather boring games that try to be interactive TV shows rather than something entertaining. I'm looking for good OSS games and education suites (preferably multi-platform — I want to be ready for an OS switch to Linux). I'm not picky about the license; I'd just like the software to actually have that 'neat' appeal. Some examples I've found already are Gcompris and Tux Paint. My focus is the 2-year-old to 8-year-old range, but I'm happy to hear teen-oriented suggestions too. Since it's a public library, however, I can't have any software on the computers that is risqué, gory, or violent."
educational games suck (Score:4, Insightful)
There's just no motivation to be fun. Speaking from a proprietary standpoint, what factors does an educator look for when deciding which games to purchase? Cost and what the learning topics are. "Here's a game that teaches multiplication and is $10 cheaper than all the others." Fun doesn't fit into the equation. And it's not like many educators are test-driving these games either. Oh, and these are typically poorly written games too.
My point being, the educational games sector is filled with poorly made products that feature very little fun and are a pain to administer. Hopefully some open source options don't suffer from the same issues. Hopefully you'll be able to sort through the crap and find some good ones though.
Re:hahaha (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:educational games suck (Score:3, Insightful)
You can't. Really? (Score:3, Insightful)
Since it's a public library, however, I can't have any software on the computers that is risqué, gory, or violent.
Exactly why not? Does your library also lack risqué, gory, and violent books? What the hell sort of library is this?
Re:Media production for Linux (And OSX, And Window (Score:3, Insightful)
Free alternative (Score:3, Insightful)
Having children in that age range, and having looked to some degree I haven't found any GPL educational games that really got my kids interest (Tux paint held the 6 year olds attention for an afternoon).
What has held my children's interest are games on the following websites:
http://www.pbskids.org/ [pbskids.org]
http://funschool.kaboose.com/ [kaboose.com]
http://www.starfall.com/ [starfall.com]
http://kids.discovery.com/ [discovery.com]
Re:Media production for Linux (And OSX, And Window (Score:3, Insightful)
That's not a slight on you, just that it's well known that kids pick up things quicker than adults. That's why "child-proof" caps really end up being adult-proof -- my parents always used to ask me to open them, as a kid.
Sorry, I'll get off your lawn now.
Re:Lemonade Stand (Score:3, Insightful)
I submit as my two pieces of evidence: a TED talk by Levitt and his book.
Steven Levitt: Why do crack dealers still live with their moms? [ted.com].
You may also want to check out his book (Freakonomics [amazon.com]).
Edutainment? (Score:4, Insightful)
Please enough already - no more of this Hollywood style, flashy, 'make believe' stuff with specious vocabulary. There is a certain spark in the Human psyche that gets lit whenever a person truly gains comprehension or insight into something they did not know before. Especially with Children, in my humble opinion, what's need is to light that little flame. 'Edutainment' makes it seem like it's a bitter pill that must be sugar coated with oodles of artificial sweeteners to be palatable.
I say, leave them kids alone. Let them discover the joys of the Earth without the myopic view of Google Earth and look for the Stars in the night sky
3D CAD (Score:4, Insightful)
Thanks for this! (Score:2, Insightful)
BRL-CAD has languished long enough. This is a great project that could be brought up to date quickly with modern stuff.
It's good to see it in Google's SOC program.