Microsoft released free software, educational software educatio on Thursday, offering developers a wide range of tools for teaching students the basics of computing and other tech skills.
The company also released an educational app, Microsoft Education Essentials, that provides students with basic computer and text-based skills for the iPad and Windows 8 tablet computers.
It is the second such software release in as many weeks, after Microsoft released the free Windows app in September.
The app offers students an online learning experience for free, and includes an in-app subscription for up to $7.99 per month.
The program has been downloaded more than 10 million times.
The program is designed to give students a broad range of learning tools, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Web applications.
Microsoft Education has about 20 million downloads worldwide, said John Schilling, a senior vice president at Microsoft Education.
The free Microsoft Education app also includes an “EduEd” subscription that provides teachers with access to a range of teaching resources that Microsoft sells.
The Microsoft Education program will begin with schools in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and expand to other markets in coming months.
Microsoft is offering free software in India and the United Kingdom to all students, including children under 18.
The Microsoft Education in India program will run from April 1, the company said.
The software will also be available in the U.S. as Microsoft Education Editions.
Microsoft Education Essences is available on the App Store for free.
