Edubuntu

**Description**

 * Edubuntu** is a Unix-like, free and open-source operating system (OS) developed by Canonical Ltd. with contributions from members of the Linux community. It is derived from the Ubuntu operating system, also developed by Canonical Ltd., and is designed specifically from educators, students, and parents for use within classrooms and homes. The goal of Edubuntu is "to put together a system that contains all the best free software available in education and make it easy to install and maintain," and to allow older computers (often found in low-income environments and school systems with limited technology budgets) to be used for longer periods of time without undergoing expensive upgrades. This is made possible with the use of lightweight user interfaces known as Unity and Gnome.

**History**
Edubuntu was first released with Ubuntu 5.10 (//Breezy Badger//) on October 12, 2005 as its own Ubuntu-derived OS. With the release of Ubuntu 8.04 (//Hardy Heron//) on April 24, 2008, Edubuntu was distributed as //Ubuntu Education Edition// and became an add-on to Ubuntu rather than its own OS. With the release of Ubuntu 9.10 (//Karmic Koala//) on October 29, 2009, however, Edubuntu was again released as a separate OS and became available on its own full-system DVD (or downloadable DVD image).

Previous Edubuntu Releases

 * **Name and Version** || **Code Name** || **Release Date** ||
 * Edubuntu 5.10 || Breezy Badger || October 13, 2005 ||
 * Edubuntu 6.06.1 || Dapper Drake || June 1, 2006 ||
 * Edubuntu 6.10 || Edgy Eft || October 26, 2006 ||
 * Edubuntu 7.04 || Feisty Fawn || April 19, 2007 ||
 * Edubuntu 7.10 || Gutsy Gibbon || October 18, 2007 ||
 * Ubuntu Education Edition (Add-On) 8.04 || Hardy Heron || April 24, 2008 ||
 * Ubuntu Education Edition (Add-On) 8.10 || Intrepid Ibex || October 30, 2008 ||
 * Ubuntu Education Edition (Add-On) 9.04 || Jaunty Jackalope || April 23, 2009 ||
 * Edubuntu 9.10 || Karmic Koala || October 29, 2009 ||
 * Edubuntu 10.04 || Lucid Lynx || April 29, 2010 ||
 * Edubuntu 10.10 || Maverick Meerkat || October 10, 2010 ||
 * Edubuntu 11.04 || Natty Narwhal || April 28, 2011 ||
 * Edubuntu 11.10 || Oneiric Ocelot || October 13, 2011 ||
 * Edubuntu 12.04 || Precise Pangolin || April 26, 2012 ||

Announced Upcoming Edubuntu Releases

 * **Name and Version** || **Code Name** || **Release Date** ||
 * Edubuntu 12.10 || Quantal Quetzal || October 18, 2012 ||

**Features**

 * Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) Thin Client
 * Sabayon (Profile Management Tool)
 * Gnome Nanny(Internet Monitoring and Security Tool)
 * Can be used by teachers and/or parents to limit web use, monitor communication (instant messaging, e-mail, etc.), and filter/block content.
 * iTalc(online learning and teaching networking tool)
 * Allows teachers to monitor and remote control (including powering on/off) computers, show demonstrations, lock computers, send text messages, and connect to students in home school environments.
 * LibreOffice
 * Includes //Writer// (word processor), //Calc// (spreadsheet program), //Impress// (presentation software), //Draw// (vector graphics editor), //Base// (database management tool), and //Math// (formulae creator and editor).
 * GComprisEducationalGame Suite
 * Over 100 activities and games related to developing technological proficiency, mathematical and scientific skills, geographical knowledge, reading proficiency, and other preschool and elementary school skills.
 * Educational Applications (not limited to):
 * **Name** || **Description** || **School Level(s)** ||
 * blinKen || Memory Game || Preschool to Elementary ||
 * C alibre || E-book Converter, Library Manager || Secondary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Celestia || Space Simulation || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Dia || Diagram Editor || High to Post-Secondary ||
 * Gamine || Interactive Dot-to-Dot || Preschool ||
 * I nkscape || Vector-Based Drawing Program || High to Post-Secondary ||
 * kAlgebra || Algebraic Calculator || Middle to Post-Secondary ||
 * kAlzium || Periodic Table and Chemistry Tools || Middle to Post-Secondary ||
 * kAnagram || Word Puzzles || Preschool to Middle ||
 * kBruch || Fraction Learning Aid || Elementary to High ||
 * kGeography || Geography Learning Assistant || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * kHangMan || Hangman Game || Preschool to Elementary ||
 * Kig || Interactive Geometry Tool || Elementary to High ||
 * Kiten || Japanese Reference Tool || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * kLettres || Language Learning Aid || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * kMPlot || Mathematical Function Plotter || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * kTouch || Typing Tutor || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * kTuberling || Stamp Drawing || Preschool to High ||
 * kTurtle || Educational Programming Environment || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * kWordQuiz || Flashcard Learning Program || Elementary to High ||
 * Laby || Educational Programming Environment || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Lightspeed || Speed Simulation || Middle to Post-Secondary ||
 * Lybniz || Mathematical Function Graph Plotter || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Marble || Geography Tool || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Melting || Nucleic Acid Melting Point Calculator || High to Post-Secondary ||
 * Parley || Vocabulary Trainer || Elementary to High ||
 * Pencil || Animation and Drawing Software || High to Post-Secondary ||
 * Ri-Li || Train Simulation Game || Elementary to High ||
 * Stellarium || Star and Constellation Maps || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Step || Interactive Physics Simulator || Elementary to Post-Secondary ||
 * Tux Maps || Math Games || Elementary ||
 * Tux Paint || Paint Program || Preschool to Elementary ||
 * Tux Type || Typing Tutor || Elementary ||
 * Yorick || Interpreted Language and Scientific Graphics Software || Post-Secondary ||

**Practical Applications**
Edubuntu can be downloaded to virtually any computer with an optical drive or USB port. Because the OS is lightweight and compatible with all hardware systems, Edubuntu makes it possible to utilize older hardware while avoiding expenses associated with commercial upgrades, license purchases, and the acquisition of new computer hardware. The OS can be installed as the only OS on the computer, or can be installed alongside another OS by partitioning the hard drive (Edubuntu has the ability to do this automatically as a part of the installation process). In the event that a computer lacks the hardware necessary to support the OS, Edubuntu can be downloaded onto a server and then to less powerful computers used as terminals with the LTSP Thin Client. This combination of compatibility, affordability, and simplicity (Edubuntu is designed to be used by anyone with an average level of technological proficiency) makes it possible to set up computer labs and workstations in environments where it would otherwise not be possible by making use of hardware which is already available or can be obtained relatively easily.

**Impact on Teaching and Learning**
Edubuntu allows schools to minimize costs associated with the purchase of OS software and licenses, thereby making it possible to more efficiently utilize available funds to upgrade and/or expand technology programs. In addition, schools with little to no funds for technology that would be otherwise unable to provide students with technology-related educational opportunities are now able to establish technology centers in very low income environments around the world. The Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP), in particular, allows schools to make use of older hardware and/or "thin client" terminals (which are typically much less expensive than desktops and laptops) to make more machines available to students - while at the same time providing students and computer assets with a higher level of security and supervision (connections can be secured via SSH and are restricted to a LAN, while Sabayon, Gnome Nanny, and other included software applications allow an administrator to limit access to content).

In addition to the free and open-source OS with its thin client capabilities, Edubuntu makes thousands of educational software applications available to students at no cost - regardless of whether they are being used at home or school. Preloaded software applications on Edubuntu include educational resources for students of all ages, and additional software can be downloaded for free via the Ubuntu Software Download Center (also included with Edubuntu and accessible from the desktop).

Several nations have deployed Edubuntu as the primary operating system in regional school systems, including 4000+ schools in the Andalusia Region of Spain (380,000 netbooks, 200,000 desktops, and 5500+ servers), several hundred schools in various regions of India (100,000+ systems), 25 schools in Serbia (benefiting over 2600 students), and in several dozen city/county school systems in Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom, and United States.

Examples, Demonstrations, and Screenshots
//Unity Desktop//

//Unity Search Screen//

//Unity Application Search Screen//

//Unity Desktop Menus - Showing Educational Applications//

media type="youtube" key="V3u44VeX73M" height="480" width="640" //Edubuntu 12.04 Thin Client Demonstration (Within Schools)//

**External Links**
Edubuntu Download Page [|Edubuntu Official Site] GCompris Gnome Linux Terminal Server Project Ubuntu Unity

**About the Author**
Michael Wright is an upper elementary and lower middle school teacher with the Hawaii Department of Education, is a professional development instructor with the Hawaii Department of Education's //Project Inspire//, and is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the Master of Education in Educational Technology program. He serves as the lead STEM (integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teacher at Lehua Elementary School in Pearl City, Hawaii, teaches robotics to students in fourth through sixth grades (including serving as coach for several competitive teams in national and international leagues), and serves as a member of various professional learning communities promoting the integration of STEM curricula in all grades.