TOP PICKS | 34 TOOLS
Best 1-to-1 Android Apps for Learning
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Content and Learning Apps
Khan Academy Kids
Creative, smart mix of activities for pre-K to 2 is a breath of fresh air
Bottom line: It's tough to stand out in the crowded early learning space, but this collection does just that, offering a one-stop shop for creative learning of foundational skills.
TinyTap - Educational 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.
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.
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.
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.
Read&Write
Useful text-to-speech app and extension unlocks the written word
Bottom line: A valuable tool to make classroom use of websites and digital documents more accessible to all students.
VocabularySpellingCity
Subscription-based, student-facing app fine for independent practice
Bottom line: A potentially more engaging -- although uneven -- option for your students, if you've got a Premium membership.
Google Earth
Cool geographical exploration tool has endless classroom applications
Bottom line: Google Earth is an engaging and completely open-ended app perfect for use across the educational spectrum.
Slice Fractions School Edition
Clever twist combines math instruction with engaging gameplay
Bottom line: A fun, innovative way to help kids build a strong conceptual understanding of fractions.
Gizmos & Gadgets
Top-notch tool empowers kids to invent, build, and control wirelessly
Bottom line: Easy-to-use, versatile electronic invention set that works wirelessly with your hand-held device.
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.
NASA
Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm
Bottom line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.
Expeditions
Fire up the warp drive to bring VR field trips to your classroom
Bottom line: With stunning scenes and a flexible delivery method, your students will thank you for journeying together through space and time.
DragonBox Elements - Geometry
Innovative game-based approach to teaching geometry
Bottom line: Kids build fundamental geometry skills as they play, but connections to classroom math will require teacher support.
DragonBox Algebra 5+
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.
Project Noah
Contribute kid research to stellar crowdsourced field guide
Bottom line: An outstanding resource that makes science relevant with lots of classroom potential.
Science Journal by Google
Turn your phone into a lab sensor to collect and analyze data
Bottom line: Science Journal does a good job recording real-time motion, sound, and light data using phones.
Duolingo
Ever-growing, free courses cement learning in six languages
Bottom line: Sparkling, holistic learning for five traditional European languages plus English.
Cogent Education
Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies
Bottom line: Practice problem-solving skills and learn biology through interactive case studies.
Productivity, Creation, and Classroom Management Apps
Drawp for School
Collaboration tool makes digital sharing easy
Bottom line: This handy tool encourages collaboration and creative expression, and it makes sharing assignments and giving feedback a snap for teachers.
Bloomz
Full-featured parent-teacher communication platform
Bottom line: One-stop multi-tool for parents, teachers, and students.
Nearpod
Interactive slideshow tool engages students, promotes collaboration
Bottom line: This effective tool leverages the capabilities of 1-to-1 environments and offers both teacher- and student-paced learning.
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.
Time Timer
Manage and conceptualize time with great visuals, a few bugs
Bottom line: A decent option for visual timer needs, being sufficiently customizable, but there are still a few bugs and room for improvement.
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.
Plickers
Useful, low-tech rapid-response tool promotes formative assessment
Bottom line: This can be a useful tool for teachers looking to get quick feedback or snapshots of understanding in technology-limited classrooms.
Adobe Photoshop Mix - Cut out, combine, create
Impressive photo-editing app focuses on compositing, blending imagery
Bottom line: While it's tackling a slightly niche design need (blending, layering, compositing photos), Photoshop Mix is an incredible tool that makes these processes shockingly simple on mobile devices.
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.
Explain Everything Whiteboard
Powerhouse tool for creating stellar multimedia presentations
Bottom line: Teachers and students can make dynamic presentations that involve different types of media in this innovative, fun app.
Edublogs
Intuitive, safe tool lets students write for authentic audience
Bottom line: Simple but flexible tool lets teachers and students safely create, publish, and share content online.
Microsoft OneNote
Note-taking giant built for flexible, collaborative work
Bottom line: A powerful (and free) tool for thinking and organization that's making smart strides in the education space.
Quizlet
App to find, create, use digital flashcards; website is better
Bottom line: A convenient way to find, create, and review digital flashcards, which have all the advantages and disadvantages of paper flashcards.
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.
WordPress
Inviting, customizable mobile blog platform with easy-to-use interface
Bottom line: Wordpress's app makes it easy to create and edit blog posts, manage comments, and view friends' blogs, and could be an indispensable tool for communication and collaboration if well-implemented.
