The Education World Tech Team provided our readers with an extensive list of the best educational software in eight different categories: productivity software, presentation software, curriculum software, keyboarding software, web-authoring software, concept-mapping software, reference software, and classroom management tools. This year, in light of budget cuts facing many districts, we asked Tech Team members to recommend the most basic software — programs that no school, whatever its size or budget constraints, should be without.

The Team as a whole recommended 22 different software programs or online subscription services, encompassing nearly all eight categories. A few are free programs; most are eminently affordable. If they’re not already on your desktop, add them to your holiday wish list!