[OPLINTECH] Cloud-based early literacy game solutions

[Ed Liddle]

There is tux4kids http://tux4kids.alioth.debian.org/ My son’s first grade class uses tux typing. I have it installed at home on a linux computer along with tux paint and tux math.  Both our 7 year old and our 4 year old like tux paint. I was able to load up a list of spelling words for our 7 year old’s first grade class so when he plays tux typing he is able to at the same time learn his spelling words for school. I also have Gcompris installed on the linux computer too which both boys like as well.
 http://gcompris.net/-en-  GCompris is an educational software which offers different activities to kids from 2 to 10 years old. Currently GCompris offers in excess of 100 activities and more are being developed. GCompris is free software, that means that you can adapt it to your own needs, improve it and, most importantly, share it with children everywhere.
Tux4kids is licensed under the GNU General Public License Version 2 http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html according to their webbsite
Gcompris is licnensed under the GNU General Public License Version 3  http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html according to their website.
Both licenses are very reasonably priced and cover being able to upgrade to newer versions of the software for years to come.
I haven’t read the licensing for an early literacy station to know how they compare to the above. For me personally being able to offer my kids a good selection of educational games, and with the gcompris games I can go into the admin part if it and block games that are above or below their age level adjusting it as time goes on, makes them a valuable asset for my family on my home computer to help our kids learn.
We have a couple of early literacy computers at our library and they get used alot. For the most part they work well. When they were under warranty we did receive some updates for their software once or twice that resolved some issues and such, none of which added any additional functionality or games to them. I have gotten a request to install tux typing on our kids computers at the library from patrons but I am not able to install it on our early literacy stations. AWE does not provide me with a computer log-in with proper permissions on their, I mean our, early literacy computer to do so.
Since I have been using the above mentioned games on my home computer over the past few years I have seen additional games added to gcompris and refinements being made on existing games that I am able to download and install. I see a big value in that feature as time goes on.
Again the above games are not a cloud based solution. I know there are a lot of sites that offer kids games, pbskids.org, lego.com, nick.com, and a few others my oldest son finds and hears about from his friends. The only ones we have had issues with not being able to run on a linux computer are shockwave based games since adobe does not make a version of shockwave for the linux platform. Even with that there still doesn’t seem to be a shortage of free online (cloudbased) games. I also haven’t encountered a virus infection on my linux computer from any website offering free kids games either.
I hope this helps address your need for finding cloud based games or games that compare to AWE Early literacy computer offerings for a kids computer.

-Ed Liddle
From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Daniel Slife
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 4:36 PM
To: OPLIN Tech
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Cloud-based early literacy game solutions

Good afternoon,

We're in the process of comparing AWE Early Lit Stations with DIY station assembly.

While the AWE service package, user interface and child-resistant quality are tempting, I'm a bit discouraged by the actual cost per PERPETUAL license for most of the games included on the machines.

Most of the games offered seem to be outdated.

Do any techs know of cloud-based, subscription solutions to a suite of games that might compete with AWE's offerings?

Any suggestions are appreciated. As are any additional arguments in favor of AWE's ELS.

Best,
Daniel Slife
Director
Huron Public Library
www.huronlibrary.org<http://www.huronlibrary.org>
Tel (419) 433-5009
Fax (419) 433-4778

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