Makers Empire
Stellar 3D design hub promotes innovation, collaboration, and creation
Bottom Line: This is a great design and creation tool that teachers and students can use to be innovative and share ideas with a vibrant community of makers.
Scratch
Creative sandbox opens the door to coding in any subject area
Bottom Line: Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning.
Zooniverse
Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant
Bottom Line: Engage in meaningful, relevant research with citizen scientists from around the world.
DIY
Design, build, and share new things offline and online
Bottom Line: DIY motivates kids to tackle a wide range of problems with independent and scientific thinking.
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Bottom Line: Full-featured site and app make iterative 3D design accessible, social, and relevant.
ePals
Kids learn together in well-rounded, collaborative global classroom
Bottom Line: A safe communication system and excellent learning materials help create a global youth community.
Project Noah
Engaging online community for relevant, hands-on science fieldwork
Bottom Line: Project Noah is a free and easy way to take part in biodiversity research with the support of a knowledgeable and global community.
KQED Learn
Civic discussion site encourages media literacy and deep thinking
Bottom Line: This platform features excellent videos students will enjoy discussing, but teachers will need to prep students to make quality contributions.
Roadtrip Nation
Outstanding organization motivates kids to follow dreams, work hard
Bottom Line: Incredibly inspirational and helpful framework for building a sustainable, fulfilling future.
Sit With Us
Teen-created social tool boosts lunchtime inclusion and community
Bottom Line: This app has the potential to help students make connections with other students they may not otherwise engage with.
Fandom Forward
Pop culture site promotes social justice critique, activism
Bottom Line: This site offers smart, fun resources for exploring the layers of meaning in media and finding causes to fight for.
Youth Voices
Aging online community hosts authentic student writing
Bottom Line: With some patience and understanding, this could be a good space for supporting healthy student expression.
Genius
Collaborative tool lets users annotate songs, literature, web content
Bottom Line: Students can collaboratively engage in the process of annotation and analysis with various texts -- both within the forum and on the web.
Goodreads
Lively community for bookworms to share their love of lit
Bottom Line: Using Goodreads can enhance teens' reading experience and help them become thoughtful, enthusiastic readers.
Make:
Fuel creative makers with project ideas, reviews, and community
Bottom Line: Excellent DIY resource that empowers kids to learn by making and experimenting.
Write the World
Global community helps young writers write, revise, think, and grow
Bottom Line: With interest-based writing prompts and thoughtful feedback from peers and pros, this is a great tool for writing for authentic audiences.
GroupTweet
Simple and safe way to use Twitter with your students
Bottom Line: A great way to use social media in school without compromising student safety.
Parlay
Comprehensive discussion platform develops critical-thinking skills
Bottom Line: A great tool in any subject or topic for teachers looking to make discussion a central part of their classroom.
