GVC Free Programs for Education

Our Global Virtual Classroom [GVC] Project is a worldwide program for any primary or secondary school that chooses to participate. Approximately 33,500 students and 1,920 teachers from over 600 schools in 62 countries have participated in this project over the years.

The GVC is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 web design contest.  Contest has cash awards for top winners and software awards for Merit Award winners.

Registrations for the non-competitive Clubhouse program are also being accepted. For more about both programs, check our website: http://www.virtualclassroom.org

New GVC Wikis - viewable by the world, but participation is by invitation only.  Teachers must register for the contest or clubhouse.

The Teacher's Lounge Wiki, will provide a summer of learning and getting to know other teachers.  In September teachers can request one partner; the other will be assigned. Enrollment in this wiki is for teachers only.

The Clubhouse Wiki not only has lessons to use with students, but discussions, and projects in which to participate.  This wiki is for teachers and students. Students do not need email, and cannot be contacted by anyone not a member of the wiki.  One on one paring of schools is still also available.

Drawing/Editing Tools

Purchasing drawing / editing software for all the computers in a lab or school can be daunting. While most computers come with some basic resizing, cropping, brightness/contrast tool, to do more than that, you can use these FREE web sources.

1. Gimp
   http://www.gimp.org
   If you've always wanted PhotoShop and cannot even afford PhotoShop Elements, Gimp is FREE, open source software that, with a little work learning on your part, will put you into the image manipulation scene.
   
   
2. CleVR
   http://www.clevr.com/
   Create panoramas from photos
   Embed with code snippet
   
   
3. picnic
   http://www.picnik.com/app
   Edit photos online. Apply effects without an expensive photo editing program.
   Save to computer.
   
   
4. ArtPad
   http://www.art.com/asp/artpad/default.asp
   
   Creative paint program that allows for drawing unique works.
   Downside: can only save picture online. However, screen capture does work.
   
   
5. Aviary
   http://aviary.com/home
   Photo edition, logos, web templates, filters, color palettes, screen capture....and more!