TOP PICKS | 27 TOOLS
Best Global and Cross-Cultural Education Apps and Websites
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Homes by Tinybop
Explore homes -- and cultures -- around the world in exquisite detail
Bottom line: Offers a delightful and accessible way for kids to learn about the world's cultures.
Grades: K–3
Price: $3.99
One Globe Kids - All Friends
Engaging stories, activities introduce kids to peers around the world
Bottom line: A smart, thoughtful way to learn about the lives of kids around the world.
Grades: K–4
Price: $9.99
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
National Geographic Kids
Stunning photos and in-depth stories of Earth's peoples and wildlife
Bottom line: This amazing collection of multimedia resources teaches kids about animals, habitats, countries, and cultures.
Grades: 1–6
Price: Free, Paid Online content is free; magazine subscriptions are $15 per year for print and iPad versions (digital-only subscriptions are $12 per year).
Newsela
Absorbing daily news stories offer kids just-right learning content
Bottom line: Up-to-date, high-interest articles meet students right at their level: Use this robust tool to bolster students' nonfiction reading practice.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid There's a "Pro" subscription targeted at schools, but pricing information isn't public; interested teachers and districts can contact them for more information.
The Wonderment
Ambitious global community aims for public good through student engagement
Bottom line: A powerful, improving social network for exploring the world and effecting positive change.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Free
National Geographic Education
Top geography resource site provides global exploration opportunities
Bottom line: This is a must-bookmark site for classrooms across the curriculum hunting for inspiring geography-based resources.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Educators can put together their own kits or purchase a recommended kit. Pricing ranges from $3,999 for 10 students to $9,999 for 30 students.
Oddizzi
Kids travel the world, cultivate global curiosity and responsibility
Bottom line: Kids get a sense of culture and global responsibility via kid-friendly articles and great multimedia.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Free to Try, Paid 95 GB Pounds/year classroom and 280 GB Pounds/year for 99 students or under, up to 800 GB Pounds/year for 700 + students
Google Earth
Virtual globe shines with breathtaking features, endless possibility
Bottom line: Outstanding features, interactivity, and astonishing versatility -- the virtual total package for classroom teachers and student explorers.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
Google Earth VR
Explore the world with an incredible new perspective and sense of scale
Bottom line: An amazing experience that brings the world to life, despite the heavy investment in VR required.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free Requires a virtual reality headset.
PenPal Schools
Give students global perspective with pen pal projects in any subject
Bottom line: A thoughtful, ready-to-go platform that facilitates authentic, cross-cultural collaboration.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free Free for teachers; however, school- and district-wide plans are available and add integration with learning management systems and student information systems, advanced reporting, and access to premium projects.
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.
Grades: 4–7
Price: Free
StrataLogica
High-quality customizable maps help students understand their world
Bottom line: This map app takes time to learn to use but offers both teachers and students highly useful tools for creating custom maps and interactive social studies and science presentations.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free to Try Begins with 30-day free trial. Educators can then purchase individual packs which include a teacher account, multiple student accounts, and access to additional materials, such as Common Core aligned lesson plans and student activities. In-app content packs are $1.99 each.
Fantasy Geopolitics
Impressive fantasy "sports" game engages students on current events
Bottom line: This game could be the hook that gets students engaged with international news.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free to Try, Paid
Google Maps
Cool extras bolster top navigation app
Bottom line: Google Maps is an essential navigation tool that can empower students to explore their world.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free
Facing History and Ourselves
A wealth of resources explore racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism
Bottom line: These valuable materials empower students to understand and address difficult ethical choices -- past and present.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
NASA Global Climate Change - Vital Signs of the Planet
Tons of climate change info from expert sources in one easy place
Bottom line: This is a one-stop shop for climate change info, from basic intro content to practical guides and raw data; good for middle schoolers and up.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free Free
Gapminder
Interactive animated charts explore global development trends
Bottom line: Gapminder brings meaning to what otherwise might be considered “boring” numbers; students learn about social, economic, and environmental development.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
Your Commonwealth
Engage with passionate international perspectives from youth
Bottom line: Offers a rich variety of news and opinion stories on global issues, and its young writers will get U.S. students hooked on civic engagement.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free
Bury Me, My Love
Moving portrayal of the dangers and uncertainty of a Syrian refugee
Bottom line: It effectively connects students with the harrowing journey of a Syrian refugee, even though some of the interactive elements are underwhelming.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $2.99
Global Oneness Project
Dynamic multimedia resources explore life experiences around the world
Bottom line: Unique approach to incorporating global issues into the curriculum; monthly stories capture interdisciplinary topics.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free, Paid Lesson plans and stories are free. Individual films, screening packages, and educational film toolkits are available to purchase.
Fate of the World: Tipping Point
Complex global-influence game in which players’ choices rule the world
Bottom line: Complex multi-issue game succeeds in teaching world politics and global development while building perspective and decision-making skills.
Grades: 10–12
Price: $18.99
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
Deep, complex database is challenging but a peerless research tool
Bottom line: This is a highly academic site for better and for worse; it's filled with deep, research-backed resources and primary sources but is intimidating without clear guidance.
Grades: 10–12
Price: Free
1979 Revolution: A Cinematic Adventure Game
Violent, immersive view of revolution engages despite tricky interface
Bottom line: This important historical experience is the perfect start for more global understanding, but the challenging interface may get in the way of learning.
Grades: 11–12
Price: 4.99
