O USO DO SOFTWARE LIVRE NA NA APRENDIZAGEM COLABORATIVA: LIMITES E POSSIBILIDADES DO PROGRAMA “UM COMPUTADOR POR ALUNO”

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to analyze the benefits of using free software for the development of collaborative learning and networking in the context of the "One Laptop Per Student" program. The research was conducted in two schools of the public school system (federal and state) in two states in Brazil, which participated in the program. The methodology was guided by the principle of critical action research, used to investigate the changes in the school context based on the use of technology. We took part on the activities of usage of free software by providing support to teachers and students and by analyzing the free software that were used at the time of our research. We conclude that the use of Free software developed digital literacy, within the analyzed schools, and enabled learning, collaborative work, intercultural, creativity and authorship among students and teachers in the construction of knowledge.