36 TOOLS

Best 1-to-1 iPad Apps for Learning

It can be tough to figure out which iPad apps to load onto tablets when your classroom is 1-to-1, or if you're using iPad carts. The last thing you want is to commit to an app and use it for a week or, even worse, a day. This hand-picked collection of classroom-ready iPad apps is a good place to start. Each is highly rated and tuned well to the needs of teachers and students from elementary school to middle and high school. There's a mixture of apps with tons of content that'll keep students engaged and learning, tools for teachers to assess and manage classes, and opportunities for students to think, create, and share.

Classroom Management and Teaching Apps for iPads

TinyTap - Kids' Learning Games

Book-and-game builder empowers creativity, boasts vast content library

Bottom Line: With some patience and planning, this game maker can be a classroom game changer.

Grades: Pre-K–5
Price:
Free to try

Classkick

Assign, assist, and assess with real-time, interactive classroom

Bottom Line: It's a great option for teachers who want to go paperless, provide specific feedback, and encourage collaboration among students in virtual or 1-to-1 classrooms.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free to try

Seesaw

Versatile digital portfolio appeals to teachers, students, and parents

Bottom Line: A powerful multimedia learning and communication tool that demonstrates student progress over time.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Nearpod

Engage and assess students with media, videos, and interactive slides

Bottom Line: The teacher- or student-paced learning can improve 1-to-1 environments and the learning activities are top notch.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Educreations

Easy-to-use iPad app aimed at recording whiteboard instruction

Bottom Line: While many other whiteboard tools offer endless -- and often overwhelming -- options, this app is usefully refined and could be that "just right" experience for many.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Showbie

Flexible desktop, mobile assignment tool works best with pro features

Bottom Line: A flexible way to collect student assignments and offer written and verbal feedback, especially with the premium features.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free to try

Notability

Flexible note-taking tool empowers learners of all abilities

Bottom Line: An excellent tool that lets students make their notes thorough and useful in the way that best suits their learning styles and abilities.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Paid

Arts and Creativity Apps for iPads

Artsonia Kids Art Museum

Online art museum empowers students to exhibit, explain their work

Bottom Line: A time-tested digital art museum where students can share work, reflect on their artistic process, and help teachers assess artistic concept comprehension.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

ScratchJr

Drag-and-drop programming is an effective intro for budding coders

Bottom Line: With a little adult help, this is a rich platform for getting kids into programming and digital creation.

Grades: K–2
Price:
Free

Toontastic 3D

Flexible tool hands kids the reins for creative animated storytelling

Bottom Line: Despite some lack of variety and simple drawing tools, Toontastic 3D remains a terrific, versatile storytelling tool.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Free

DIY.org – Creative Challenges

From cardboarding to cooking, this app helps kids find the fun in DIY

Bottom Line: Fabulous way for kids to get skills and share their projects digitally.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Free to try

Book Creator

Magically easy way to create and publish digital books and multimedia

Bottom Line: This is a top-quality creation tool that lets students of many ages and abilities publish their own digital books.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free to try

Educreations

Easy-to-use iPad app aimed at recording whiteboard instruction

Bottom Line: While many other whiteboard tools offer endless -- and often overwhelming -- options, this app is usefully refined and could be that "just right" experience for many.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Paper by WeTransfer

Beautifully designed digital sketchbook for any age

Bottom Line: The simplicity and effectiveness of the app make this a powerful sketch and note-taking tool for the iPad.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

GarageBand

Amazingly powerful audio workstation unleashes creativity

Bottom Line: There's exceptional functionality in this solid, all-inclusive audio workstation that's fantastic for high-quality, anytime, and anywhere audio recording and sharing.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Canva for Education

Create, collaborate and share with versatile design tool

Bottom Line: From interactive presentations to group collaboration to parent communication, Canva is a one-stop shop for a variety of classroom tasks.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

iMovie

Basic movie editor makes for skill-focused, student-centered learning

Bottom Line: Despite some limitations with editing, it's the perfect tool to get teachers and students started with digital video production.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Photoshop Express Photo Editor

Top-notch photo editor helps perfect pics for creative projects

Bottom Line: This is a powerful, free creation tool from the industry leader in photo editing.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Animoto: Slideshow Maker

Slick video slideshow tool lets kids tell stories and share them

Bottom Line: Anything that happens during school can be turned into an engaging video slideshow.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free, Paid

ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies Apps for iPads

Khan Academy Kids

Creative, smart mix of activities for pre-K to 2 is a breath of fresh air

Bottom Line: This early-learning standout offers scaffolded, creative learning of foundational skills.

Grades: Pre-K–2
Price:
Free

Kahoot! Numbers by Dragonbox

Explore the concept of numbers through puzzles and fun gameplay

Bottom Line: Though there are a few kinks, kids experience fun gameplay while internalizing fundamental number concepts.

Grades: Pre-K–1
Price:
Free to try

BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week

High-quality animated videos engage young kids in a variety of topics

Bottom Line: Great videos, though kids' learning should be enhanced with interactive elements to encourage deeper, more active learning.

Grades: K–3
Price:
Free to try

Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos

Kids can "go anywhere, be anything" with vast book and video library

Bottom Line: Wonderful and practical way to get kids excited about learning and reading -- the greatness of the classic TV series, updated for the 21st century.

Grades: K–4
Price:
Free to try

Epic! - Kids' Books and Videos

Free, expansive digital library unlocks treasure trove of books

Bottom Line: This large collection of books and videos on a wide variety of topics is an easy -- and free -- enhancement to any classroom library.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Free, Free to try

Google Earth

Dazzling globe-trotting tool has endless classroom applications

Bottom Line: This tool defines engagement and offers a completely open-ended experience perfect for use across the educational spectrum.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

LightSail

Powerful, flexible reading tool measures meaningful literacy gains

Bottom Line: A powerful literacy platform for developing and empowering readers, with useful customization features for both teachers and students.

Grades: 1–12
Price:
Free to try

News-O-Matic

Daily news stories and supplements keep elementary schoolers current

Bottom Line: This highly useful current events platform can be a daily fixture of elementary school classrooms.

Grades: K–8
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Grammaropolis

Animated parts-of-speech app enlivens grammar lessons

Bottom Line: It's a cute concept that makes sense out of sometimes hard-to-understand grammar concepts.

Grades: 2–10
Price:
Free, Paid

NASA

Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm

Bottom Line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.

Grades: 2–12
Price:
Free

Dictionary.

Vast word reference features tons of content and word games

Bottom Line: Powerful tool crammed full of games, classic reference information, and flexible controls.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Pages

Writing and publishing tool is an increasingly satisfying option

Bottom Line: With useful new book creation features, Pages is a much-improved publishing tool for Apple-oriented classrooms.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox

Mesmerizing step-by-step puzzler sets the foundation for algebra

Bottom Line: This innovative game-changer teaches algebra, changes the way kids learn it, and even changes how they feel about it.

Grades: 4–8
Price:
Free to try

CueThink

Social approach to problem-solving promotes deep math learning

Bottom Line: An innovative, community-based platform that helps students plan, strategize, and collaborate.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Lab4Physics

Bring physics to life using lab sensors built right into your smartphone

Bottom Line: Use your smartphone to gather data and study speed, gravity, waves, and other physics concepts.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Cogent Education

Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies

Bottom Line: Practice problem-solving skills and learn biology through interactive case studies.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

NPR News

Top-notch digital content takes students beyond the airwaves

Bottom Line: Provides an easy, fun, and effective way to engage students with radio.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

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