Free software

Generally speaking we all expect to have to pay for the software we put on our computers. But, if you know where to look, there is an enormous amount of open-source software available for free.

YHGfL Foundation tests and reviews open-source software programs regularly and posts the results on these pages.

We have sorted the reviews into the categories you can see below. Click on any of the categories in the left-hand menu to be taken to further information about the software.

3D rendering

These a programs which you can use to create 3D images as outlines or ‘wireframes’ and add surfaces and textures to them. The images can then be exported and used in documents, presentations or web pages.

Animation

Animation programs allow you to create movies of animated scenes and figures by manipulating a sequence of images frame by frame.

Audio and video

These programs are used to create and edit audio and movie files to make your own media for use in presentations, web pages and podcasts.

Curriculum

These are programs that have a curriculum focus. They are used as teaching and learning resources in a curriculum subject or to support the teaching of a specific topic.

Drawing and painting

You can use these programs to create images in different formats for use in all types of digital media. Drawing programs create and edit ‘vector’ images which can be resized without loss of detail. Painting programs can be used to manipulate digital images from many sources including digital cameras, scanners and web art.

Games and control

These programs introduce children to the fundamentals of computer programming through activities where they create stories, scenes or actions using a set of instructions.

Mobile learning

These are apps that have been developed for the Apple iPhone, iTouch and iPod and for Android OS devices which are being used successfully as teaching and learning tools in the classroom.

Modelling

Modelling programs allow the user to answer ‘what if’ type questions by manipulating virtual scenarios to see what would happen in a situation when different variables are changed.

Resource development

These are programs which teachers can use to develop interactive teaching and learning resources to support their curriculum subject.

Free software is usually released under the GNU or GPL licence - please see this web site for more information.

Resources