TOP PICKS | 17 TOOLS
Best Economics Websites and Apps for Students
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BrainPOP Jr.
Top-notch videos and activities a boon for elementary school teachers
Bottom line: BrainPOP Jr. sets the bar for top-quality online learning supplements.
EconEdLink
Flexible, deep financial resource a starting point for all grades
Bottom line: EconEdLink includes an up-to-date and comprehensive list of economics and finance topics, but it will take some browsing to find the right lessons for your classroom.
Khan Academy
Missions boost learning with balance of focus and freedom to explore
Bottom line: A solid resource for math and science instruction as well as foundational knowledge in a number of other high school subjects.
Teaching Tolerance
Thought-provoking classroom resources support diversity education
Bottom line: It's an invaluable teacher tool to help reduce prejudice and encourage tolerance in schools, as well as within society as a whole.
Motion Math: Pizza!
Serving up valuable economics lessons with an extra helping of fun
Bottom line: Fantastic math game gives kids a taste of what's needed to run a profitable business.
BrainPOP
Clever animated hosts Tim and Moby masterfully tackle complex topics
Bottom line: Cartoon videos in this extensive collection break down ideas in clever and thoughtful ways.
People's Pie
Federal budget game's challenge delivers powerful message
Bottom line: Federal budgeting -- and its unique ethical and mathematical balancing act -- fits game-based fiddling and strategizing well, but expect a challenge.
TED-Ed
Support kids' sense of wonder with outstanding short video lessons
Bottom line: TED-Ed includes excellent, engaging videos and support for flipped-class lessons with an incredible community of thinkers and doers.
Biz Kid$
You can bet on business and finance being interesting for teens
Bottom line: Biz Kid$ is a great introduction to financial literacy, with linked activities as well as frequently updated interactive video clips and a blog.
Enercities
Environmentally-minded city sim models sustainable building
Bottom line: It carves out a useful niche in a popular genre, showing how city planning, technological development, economics, and quality of life intersect with sustainability.
Zinn Education Project
Resources, lessons help teach a more inclusive version of U.S. history
Bottom line: Free downloadable resources encourage critical thinking and active learning in search of a more accurate picture of American history.
Build-a-lot
Financial management made fun via real estate-themed building sim
Bottom line: Fiscal responsibility, city planning, and budget management are taught in a casual and engaging way.
Spent
Provocative, first-person look at poverty builds empathy
Bottom line: It'll need some scaffolding, but for students ready for the subject matter it's a great -- if sobering -- way to illustrate to students the daily realities and struggles of poverty in America.
Stop Disasters!
Slick sim explores global natural disasters
Bottom line: Few other browser-based sims better illustrate the potential of gaming for learning about serious issues in our world.
Layoff
Bejeweled-style gameplay adapted to build empathy, critique downsizing
Bottom line: An easy, instantly engaging, and fascinating starting point for deep conversations about the economy, business, government, and workers.
Democracy 3
Nuanced political sim about the balancing act of government
Bottom line: This is a grown-up civics sim, full of tough choices, compelling cause and effect relationships, and controversial issues that will work best for older government students.
WE THE ECONOMY
Explore big questions about the economy with collection of short films
Bottom line: Detailed films can help raise awareness about economic issues that are often ignored or misunderstood.