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Open Source Schools
Open Source Software (OSS) is software which, among other things, is free to download and use. This means that pupils and teachers can use the same piece of software without the need to pay licence fees. The software can be installed both in school and at home, helping to bridge the home school divide.
An example of OSS already widely used by language teachers around the world is Audacity, a free downloadable sound recorder and editor. You can see video case studies of teachers using Audacity in the languages classroom at Using ICT effectively: video case studies, to be found in the ICT in action section of Languages ICT.
Other very useful OSS includes Open Office a free alternative to Microsoft Office and Moodle, a popular, free Virtual Learning Environment.
The Open Source Schools website provides relevant information and articles about OSS, advice on getting started, useful, but not always languages-specific, case studies of its adoption in schools, a directory for exploring what is available, and a glossary of terms for those new to the concept of open source. Consult the Directory for guidance on specific software such as that listed above.
In addition, there are a number of forums where you can share ideas and experiences and contribute to the debate about the use of open source software in schools.
