Blog Post 7: Open Source Software

Open source software has been around for a long time, but it is just starting to gain popularity among the public. Open source software is free software that is accessible by everyone because it is in the public domain. Programs such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office are expensive, and many people cannot afford such programs. However, open source software provides programs similar to these, such as Gimp and Open Office, for people to use instead. Also, open source software is able to be edited, updated, and redistributed by users, so the programs available are constantly being improved.

In the field of education, open source software would be an extremely valuable resource. Since teacher funds are limited, and are usually spent on supplies such as paper and pencils, many teachers do not have the money to fund expensive programs. However, open source software gives free access to similar programs, so teachers are able to use these programs in conjunction with their curriculum. I will without a doubt look into open source software programs when I become a teacher, because there are so many programs available that could benefit my students, and if I can access them for free, they would be a great addition to my classroom at no cost to me.


I included this diagram because it clearly maps out several different open source software programs as well as their purposes. This easily shows programs for all types of work and makes it simple to find a program to fit one's needs. I found this image on google images while searching for "open source software"