Flavor of the Month: Edubuntu
I'm sure by now you will have noticed how similar the install procedure is with most flavours of Ubuntu. Rather than show you the same procedure again with another interface, this month, Philipp will will show you what you can expect to see in the education orientated edition of Ubuntu, Edubuntu.
Written by Phillipp Höhn
Until now we have covered three setups of different flavours of Ubuntu. While we used the Live CD for Ubuntu and Kubuntu, we showed how to use the Alternate CD for an installation of Xubuntu. This month we will be going one step further by showing you some major applications of Edubuntu. Though Edubuntu has exactly the same installation as the other Ubuntu distributions, there are several major differences in the applications shipped with Edubuntu.
Edubuntu is designed for schools and other educational environments. It includes all Ubuntu applications but has some extras preinstalled. Though most of its additional applications are based on KDE, Edubuntu itself still uses Gnome. After installation, which is the same procedure as Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu (download Full Circle magazine, issues one through three, to see the install procedure) you are then presented with a slightly different desktop design.
While you are still able to do the same things you are used to from Ubuntu, there are quite a few applications you probably haven't seen before. These range from mathematical tools to vocabulary training as well as other applications designed to challenge students and children to think creatively and abstractly. There are even a few games that give children the opportunity to learn about different subjects and practise their skills by playing fun educational games. Let's have a closer look at some of these Edubuntu applications:
KBruch
KBruch is a training program for fractions that features varied exercises and multiple levels of difficulty. It will also keep track of statistics to give you the opportunity to beat your own high scores.
KmPlot
KmPlot lets you draw plots by simply typing a function like f(x)=x2 (red plot). This can really be useful for checking pupils' math homework!
Kalzium
Kalzium is an electronic periodic table. Besides the names and pictures of the elements it offers details like atomic models, spectrums and other various chemical data.
KHangMan
This is the Edubuntu version of the well-known school game Hangman. Guess the word by spelling the letters. Be careful though, too many mistakes and you will lose and see the hangman!
KPercentage
Another mathematical training application. By selecting one of three difficulty levels you can train your percentage skills with different exercises.
TuxMath
Another game included in Edubuntu, TuxMath makes you test your mental arithmetic by stopping mathematical terms falling from the sky by solving them with Tux's laser-like machine.
Kanagram
In this game you are challenged to read anagrams. Letters in the wrong order are to be put in the right order to form a word. This game supports the development of abstract thinking for all ages.
These are just a few of the many Edubuntu applications. If you have a child or maybe you are a teacher, Edubuntu is definitely worth a try.
Next month in Full Circle we'll be featuring an Edubuntu presentation which was used by the Colorado Local Community (CoLoCo) to highlight the uses and features of Edubuntu to a group of school teachers.
