Educational Software

Educational software for the Mac, or Macintosh, computer were some of the first computer programs to be enjoyed by kids. For a computer that was released on April Fool's Day, it certainly has helped to create a bunch of very smart people.

Starting with the release of Apple's Macintosh computer (or "Mac"), the founders of Apple Computer made sure there was software available for their new machines. Software, they figured, was the way to win over the consumer.

They were right. Between the new, Graphical User Interface, or GUI, a mouse, and lots of software, Apple computers went flying off the shelves. Apple soon found footholds in the educational and graphic markets, and has been firmly entrenched in them ever since.

Today there are literally thousands of educational software programs written for the Mac. Simple, colorful programs like KidsMouse for Mac introduce toddlers and preschoolers to shapes, colors, numbers, and more.

AlphaBaby is a unique program that allows toddlers to take action with the computer just by "typing". When they hit a key or click the mouse, a shape appears or a sound plays. My ABCD teaches pre-schoolers letters, numbers, and simple mouse skills.

At a slightly higher level, programs like Nessy Tales offer first- and second-grade reading level students with stories, sound and animation. This program engages both auditory and visual senses.

There are also educational software programs for math and science. The Bagatrix series of math software programs covers basic math, pre-algebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. Students can enter a homework problem that they're struggling with and the program will walk them through to a solution.

The Bagatrix series can carry your student into high school, and is especially suitable for those students doing math homework above their parents' heads! Parental involvement is important with any software, but more so with the younger set.

There may come a time where your child needs to know about math or science principles that you know little or nothing about. That's when the more complex educational software programs really shine.

There's also a nifty Mac program that teaches physics with animations. Physics Animations by Yves Pelletier is available in English or French so if you or your child knows some French, two things can be accomplished at once!

There is even Mac educational software for advanced (AP) high school and college-level learning. In fact, many high schools and universities offer the software on campus for free, or for purchase at a reduced student price.

Math, music, and geography are just some of the subjects covered. There are varying levels of challenge at each of these, with some of the science titles even getting into DNA sequencing for your budding molecular biologist!

Adults haven't been forgotten by Mac, either. There are software titles that provide everything from practice tests for driver's permits to vocational training and basic business training. Subjects cover the gamut from electronics, automotive and air conditioning to basic business competencies and soft skills.

Educational software for the Mac covers every level from special education and pre-school levels to advanced college subjects. With just a few minutes of searching on your computer, at the library or at a store you're likely to find a great program for yourself or your child.