FOSS

Here is overview of my class
http://birgytea.blogspot.com/2012/12/about-computer-classes-and-topics.html

My reflection about Free and open software:
http://birgyblogi.blogspot.com/2012/11/free-and-open-software.html 

Usually we use a lot of freeware, as it doesn't cost money. Now there are a lot of talk about switching also from MS to Linux in system and office vise. The problem is that people are not aware of using Linux, at the same time we save 14 dollars in every year per computer. In the longer run it is useful, but the change is very difficult for the layperson.

With Audacity at schools we usually do 3 exercises:

• make 1 minute telephone ringtone and test out how the program works
• design 20 second school bell using different sounds, think of that the bell should be uplifting and speakers don't give good audio (bass)
• design 3 minute song that you will use later to make a cartoon-movie. You must include 6 songs, 10 effects and 3 people from class speaking-singing in your song.

With Google Sketschup we do these 3 exercises:

• future house to test out how the program work
• pick a picture of real house - cultural building (listed) or your own house and design it in 3D
• apartment and garden design - make your dream apartment (everyone uses the same basic typical apartment 

With Inkscape we do a lot of exercises:

• Design your name

• Redesign or make a copy of real product design eg. morning serials box or face

• Make a gaming cards, if needed use also Gimp
• Design a newspaper with 4 pages