Open Source Software in Early Childhood Education

Over the last few years the NZOSS has been able to participate in the training portion of IBM New Zealand's Kidsmart deployment. As part of that training we have provided copies of Open Source software CD's based around The OpenCD and now The OpenDisc to every Kindergarten and Childcare Centre that has received a KidSmart unit. The training is hands on and includes tutorials and demonstrations of the power of Open Source tools. Feedback from the training sessions has been universally positive especially as the Open Source philosophy is closely aligned with how many parents and teachers expect learning to happen.

We have written up a short description of what Open Source software we recommend the Kindergartens and Childcare Centres should use and why here.

We would encourage you as parents to use this information as guide for what may be acheived in your own childs education.