Comprehensive resources including lesson plans, digital games, assessments,
professional development for teachers, and family education materials to
teach students safe and responsible technology use.
Over the years, Common Sense Education editors and reviewers have rated and reviewed hundreds of learning tools, using our research-backed rubric and rigorous evaluative process. Since 2013, we've compiled annual lists of the top-rated tools that stood out as some of the most innovative, effective, and enjoyable. They're rated highly for engagement, pedagogy, and support, and they're available across platforms as mobile apps, Chrome apps, and online resources. Check out our lists for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 below -- these tools span grades and content areas, so you're sure to find something new to try!
Interactive games thoroughly address small, focused learning goal
Bottom line: Games do a nice job of providing practice with a very specific early math principle; they work even better as part of a whole teaching unit.
Games, creative activities give 360-degree view of common sight words
Bottom line: Combination of guided games and open-ended activities give kids a great opportunity for digging deep into words.
Innovative combo of live instruction and adaptive online math lessons
Bottom line: If you're looking for the perfect balance of online lessons and in-person support, at home or in school, look no further.
Excellent adaptive math for flipped or blended classrooms
Bottom line: If you're looking for courseware for your nontraditional classroom, this is based on solid research and proven technology.
Impressive, interactive 3D models augment classroom learning
Bottom line: While some models are lower resolution and less appealing, Lifeliqe is still a no-brainer for supplying mostly clear, professional 3D models for deep investigation.
Carrot-and-stick arithmetic app makes students fluent in regrouping
Bottom line: Hopelessly addictive addition/subtraction app keeps students learning and learning.
Whimsical, kid-friendly intro to the wide world of art
Bottom line: A wonderful, endlessly detailed way to get kids engaged in the world of art.
Simple game-design app has endless creative potential
Bottom line: Design, play, and improve your own arcade games.
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.
Create snazzy designs in seconds with flexible, cloud-based tool
Bottom line: A flexible, accessible way to get kids -- especially design novices -- creating digitally in your classroom if you have stable internet and time to get students set up to be successful.
Discover, create, remix, and share Smithsonian resources
Bottom line: This thoughtfully crafted, open-ended curation and creation tool has a place in most classrooms.
Feature-rich literacy resource offers superb support for readers
Bottom line: Access a hefty collection of reliable, ready-to-print, leveled passages that allow you to tailor lessons, assign online reading, and track progress.
Outstanding project-based tutorials for popular engineering software
Bottom line: The projects found here are a great way to teach and learn digital design; all are truly fantastic (and free!), with everything you need ready to go.
Useful Chrome extension lets teachers add interactivity to websites
Bottom line: A potential go-to tool for teachers focused on building critical reading skills, especially those in Chromebook classrooms.
Dynamic video clips explore cultural themes throughout U.S. history
Bottom line: A huge time-saver and an effective way to share Ken Burns' brilliant documentaries with students.
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.
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.
Create, organize, assess sleek digital portfolios
Bottom line: A simple PBL tool that promotes digital literacy and lets kids create flexible, accessible digital portfolios.
Gather and analyze live data anywhere
Bottom line: A science sensor that pairs with your mobile device to gather and analyze data is perfect for inquiry-based learning.
Awesome interactive coding lessons can make anyone a programmer
Bottom line: These lessons will keep learners engaged as they grow from novices to beginner programmers, ready to tackle small projects in only a few days.
Compelling narrative game fosters empathy, self-reflection
Bottom line: If you’re searching for a unique way to analyze storytelling from a social and emotional angle, look no further.
Rhymes, phonetic approach, silly animations help kids construct words
Bottom line: Good, holistic approach to the nitty gritty of constructing words.
Explore an animated alphabet with this magical interactive gem
Bottom line: A great, high-tech and interactive way to get kids thinking about letters and how their sounds form words.
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.
Young learners roll through mazes, discover rigorous physics concepts
Bottom line: Game-like approach to physics teaches kids critical thinking, too.
Adorable sandbox tool lets kids safely explore, experiment, observe
Bottom line: A fun, cheerful way for kids to explore weather while appropriately touching on more serious issues like safety.
Ideal, easy-to-use way to help kids learn basic animation
Bottom line: This introduction to digital animation offers lots of opportunities for creativity for young students.
Young learners explore biodiversity in gorgeous undersea world
Bottom line: Ocean Forests is a great resource for introducing ecosystems to young learners, and would be even better with a few additional games and interactives to apply learning.
Highly applicable STEM-themed free play; easy appeal for wide audience
Bottom line: A clear, simple, and fun introduction to science and engineering topics that may otherwise feel unapproachable for some kids.
Big questions, kids' curiosity drive thoughtful science curriculum
Bottom line: Powerful science units that capitalize on elementary students’ natural curiosity.
Versatile digital portfolio appeals to teachers, students, and parents
Bottom line: Students can showcase their work in text, pictures, videos, and more.
Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games
Bottom line: Fun gameplay lets kids explore important physics concepts in a solid standards-aligned context.
Improve designs, collect favorites in robot creation sandbox
Bottom line: A well-made and enjoyable STEM app that leverages what's great about play -- experimentation -- to spark engineering interest.
Stellar tool builds rock-solid foundational understanding
Bottom line: A stellar way to dig deep and give kids an excellent intro to fractions.
Old West crime-fighting takes kids on a spelling adventure
Bottom line: A challenging and really fun way for kids to practice spelling.
Versatile word game challenges across content areas and abilities
Bottom line: Fun game-like way to review spelling patterns or content vocabulary.
Budding engineers create design solutions with fun physics puzzler
Bottom line: A fun, engaging way to boost critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while learning about important science and engineering practices.
Curated videos and creative challenges ignite active learning
Bottom line: There's plenty of material to inspire kids to embark on learning adventures that get them to explore, create, and share safely on the screen and off.
Kids build, share, receive pro feedback with awesome engineering site
Bottom line: Though it may not be an instant fit for your classroom, the exceptional quality of the site’s projects and processes makes it worth any problem solving.
Earth comes alive with interactive textbook; some content lacks depth
Bottom line: Though it's pricey and its progress tracking is limited, these interactive graphics will spark curiosity while teaching kids about a variety of Earth Science concepts.
Brilliant medical sim engages kids, promotes heart-healthy lifestyle
Bottom line: Fun, engaging adventure teaches kids about the cardiovascular system, medical diagnostics, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Woot! Woot! Truly adaptive lessons support concept building
Bottom line: A top choice for stand-alone instruction or remediation on fractions, ratios, and decimals.
Classic logic puzzler gets a beautiful new look
Bottom line: Promote powerful thinking skills, resilience, and decision making through purely fun gameplay that will keep students begging for more.
Smartly designed environmental sim great for learning about ecosystems
Bottom line: iBiome -- Wetland is a fun, interactive way to learn about ecosystems without the hassle of getting wet.
Programming blocks give good balance of freedom vs. constraint
Bottom line: With a pinch of patience and a lot of passion, this introduction to computer science and its underlying principles is highly accessible.
Social approach to problem-solving promotes deep math learning
Bottom line: CueThink is an innovative, community-based platform that helps students plan, strategize, and collaborate.
Compelling sci-fi world imagined -- and written -- by its players
Bottom line: With some teacher guidance, Elegy offers an opportunity unlike anything else to get students to write stories and stretch their creative muscles.
Stellar performances, great media bring Eliot's masterpiece to life
Bottom line: Makes studying The Waste Land engaging and accessible for students and easier for teachers.
Engaging design challenges turn kids into actual science detectives
Bottom line: An engaging way to weave some engineering into your middle school science lessons.
Thrilling projectile puzzle game features solid physics principles
Bottom line: This fun, gentle introduction to projectile motion will stick with students.
One of the best creation tools available for aspiring game developers
Bottom line: Provides teachers with the best choice for a full unit or class on game design, and gives students a tool to help them realize their game-making dreams.
Illuminating native Alaskan folktale supports SEL skills
Bottom line: A beautiful achievement developed in cooperation with indigenous folk that offers players valuable SEL skill building and a respectful window into Inupiat culture, ways of life, traditions, and stories.
Elegant LMS tool keeps classroom conversation, collaboration going
Bottom line: The rare LMS designed for ease of use, and it doesn't sacrifice functionality with tons of opportunities to maximize learning, collaboration, and organization.
Online science, mastered: exceptional content within meaningful tasks
Bottom line: Serious, sophisticated science engagement -- but be prepared to take some prep time to connect these labs with your classroom.
Stellar interactive features bring classical music vibrantly to life
Bottom line: A terrifically designed tool that invites students into the often unwelcoming world of classical music in a way that deepens appreciation and understanding of the complexities and beauties of the art form.
Make learning meaningful through 3D design
Bottom line: SketchUp is a fantastic, subject-agnostic tool that does take time to learn but helps students gain truly useful, transferable skills.
Amazingly simple yet powerful and flexible online CAD tool
Bottom line: A big step forward in making 3-D design more accessible and social.
Control, create, and explore stunning 3-D human body visuals
Bottom line: A great way for students to test themselves as they manipulate 3-D images of the human body.
Aspiring filmmakers converge to create video content for the classroom
Bottom line: The site provides the most authentic learning opportunities when students and teachers go beyond watching videos to become creators.
Standout, pro-caliber game dev tool still great for novices
Bottom line: Robust enough for commercial games yet simple enough for a classroom with proper support, this is a stellar tool for game creation that lowers the barrier of entry without sacrificing depth.
Immersive exoplanet exploration game makes sleuths out of rover drivers
Bottom line: An absorbing alternate reality game that uses an authentic context to build valuable skills and offers ample opportunity for extension activities in science or ELA classrooms.
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.
Make feedback count, save time assessing digital work on Google Drive
Bottom line: A stand-out tool for collaborating, editing, and revising student work with Google Drive.
Top-tier LMS for digital classrooms
Bottom line: To make the most of Schoology, you'll need some ramp-up time and great tasks and assessments, but it can offer rich learning and collaboration experiences.
Cool coding tool tuned to teen girls' passions aids creativity
Bottom line: Learn-to-code programs for youths often too narrowly define what can be done with code; Vidcode expands the options, helping girls see code's value in culture and express themselves.
Explore detailed images with powerful, customizable anatomy curriculum
Bottom line: A stellar tool that tops other 3-D interactive anatomy sites with its extensive curriculum-building capabilities.
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.
Dynamic interactive helps classrooms explore topics of bias, diversity
Bottom line: A fascinating way to address how communities become segregated due to individual bias.
Top-tier LMS for digital classrooms
Bottom line: To make the most of Schoology, you'll need some ramp-up time and great tasks and assessments, but it can offer rich learning and collaboration experiences.
Excellent side-by-side dramatization and text bring the Bard to life
Bottom line: High-quality production and seamless multimedia integration allow students to read and watch simultaneously, boosting engagement and learning potential.
Numbers-and-quantity game has precise focus and superb scaffolding
Bottom line: Super approach to teaching a very specific topic: Help kids develop an easy familiarity with quantities under five.
Research-based curriculum adapts beautifully to fun, easy-to-use app
Bottom line: Thorough, high-quality phonics program offers impressive benefits for emerging readers.
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.
Differentiate reading instruction with high-quality texts and lessons
Bottom line: The quality and scope of texts, lesson plans, assessments, and supports on this platform can help facilitate targeted reading instruction in any classroom.
Interactive slide show tool engages students and promotes collaboration
Bottom line: This effective tool leverages the capabilities of 1-to-1 environments and brings slide shows into the 21st century.
See colleagues in action with digital PD for discussion and reflection
Bottom line: This video library of actual classroom teaching offers opportunities for professional educators to watch, share, and improve their craft.
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.
Brilliant, wacky adventure game seamlessly integrates geometry
Bottom line: This captivating game is a great way to introduce or reinforce early geometry concepts.
Adaptive math practice wrapped in role-playing adventure
Bottom line: Sometimes kids just need some math practice to get things to stick, and Prodigy delivers in a fun format with great teacher support.
Robust, full-featured reading app measures meaningful literacy gains
Bottom line: A powerful, well-designed literacy platform for developing engaged readers.
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.
Simple design makes it easy to jump into interactive video
Bottom line: With features that are both basic and useful, it's an easy tool to learn; adding interactivity to video is a snap.
Resource-rich video slide-show maker a gem for a variety of classrooms
Bottom line: Easy-to-use free tool is a must-have for elementary classrooms; just keep an eye on sharing and privacy.
Solve problems, puzzles, brain teasers while creating wacky machines
Bottom line: Hands-on problem-solving leads to great fun and independent learning with the right curricular wraparound to connect what kids are doing with what they need to know.
Great adaptive learning comes with live teacher support, unique rewards
Bottom line: A fantastic, comprehensive program where teachers can track progress and motivate using meaningful rewards.
Crop, customize, and remix online videos for your classroom
Bottom line: If you're using online video in your classroom, you'll want to look into EDpuzzle as a way to layer in more learning opportunities while students watch.
Engrossing math platformer puts problem-solving skills to the test
Bottom line: This absorbing game challenges kids' math and thinking skills as much as it entertains.
Track behavior, motivate students with clever, cooperative game
Bottom line: Classcraft is a fantastic game for encouraging positive behavior while students build knowledge and develop communication and collaboration skills.
Accessible yet deep game creator will dazzle and challenge
Bottom line: A deeply charming experience for teachers and students interested in pushing boundaries, making things, and participating in a healthy community focused on boundless creativity.
Entertaining, well-researched games correct scientific misconceptions
Bottom line: Offers a helpful supplement to teacher-led instruction backed by an expert understanding of how kids learn and the key scientific concepts they need to know but often misunderstand.
Leveling and quests turn classes into personalized adventures
Bottom line: A ready-to-go platform for introducing game-based learning principles into assessment and class structure, but success and engagement depend on solid class content.
Well-structured lessons encourage deep analysis, thoughtful writing
Bottom line: This is a ready-to-go, research-backed resource that focuses intently on CCSS-aligned and AP-level critical reading and writing skills.
One of the best creation tools available for aspiring game developers
Bottom line: Provides teachers with the best choice for a full unit or class on game design, and gives students a tool to help them realize their game-making dreams.
Gorgeous, moving adventure -- a jewel of social and emotional learning
Bottom line: Journey is a must-play experience and a shining beacon of the good that games can do.
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.
Powerful tale of alcoholism uses puzzles and metaphor to build empathy
Bottom line: A beautiful game that's sure to build students' empathy skills and provoke deep conversations about alcoholism and abuse as well as metaphor.
Mind-bending level editor for beloved physics game
Bottom line: For STEAM educators with the right tech and know-how, it'd be puzzling not to use this tool.
Fascinating look at life's bigger questions with a fresh perspective
Bottom line: A wonderfully innovative and divergent way to teach foundational concepts in history, humanities, critical thinking, and science.
Clever interactive games introduce letter sounds, action words
Bottom line: A great way to introduce letters to beginning readers, but plan on providing outside help to emphasize connections between letters and target words.
Ahoy! Pirate game chock full of math treasures
Bottom line: Fantastic math game for young kids who are just learning their numbers and shapes, with the added bonus of having plenty of interactive spots that will delight even toddlers.
Everything you love about the TV show, customizable and on demand
Bottom line: In an online version of the TV show, Sesamestreet.org offers on-demand and personalized access to its marvelous video content.
Sesame Street goes digital to get kids counting and reading
Bottom line: This interactive version of the show gets kids moving and talking to their favorite furry characters as they learn about counting, spelling, science, and family relationships.
Hundreds of tasks and swashbuckling fun for new math learners
Bottom line: By blending simple math skills into pirate games, Love to Count by Pirate Trio helps kids understand why math matters.
Thoughtfully designed, self-paced games bring letters, sounds to life
Bottom line: A warm, wonderful tool for teaching prereaders and young language learners solid literacy skills.
Explore outstanding new math and language additions to PBS KIDS family
Bottom line: With PBS-pedigree content that's up to its usual standards of excellence, this is a great, fun resource that ensures high learning potential.
Well-designed literacy site with great activities for new readers
Bottom line: This fantastic learn-to-read site has valuable extension materials for classwork or homework.
Highly engaging, age-appropriate site with delightful games
Bottom line: Curiosityville is a great online learning tool for kids that addresses a range of topics.
Express and identify emotions with hip Electric Company hosts
Bottom line: A fun way to get kids using emotion vocabulary and practicing expressing and identifying emotions.
Delight emergent readers with lively phonics lessons
Bottom line: Easy-to-use, plentiful phonics activities keep emergent readers engaged.
Top-notch educational videos a boon for elementary school teachers
Bottom line: BrainPOP Jr. sets the bar for top-quality online learning supplements.
Sticky math practice encourages kids to keep playing, maze after maze
Bottom line: Students will enjoy practicing math skills with word problems in fun mazes.
Comforting character makes second-language mistakes no big deal
Bottom line: Oh Noah! provides a solid start in Spanish while building self-confidence and relaxing kids through humor.
First-class site for science games and investigations
Bottom line: These well-designed and highly educational activities challenge and engage kids in all the right ways.
Individualized, game-based math adapts to kids' needs
Bottom line: This is a pretty nice all-in-one solution for extra math support and practice with solid adaptive tech, but students might need help with the interface.
Missions boost learning with balance of focus, freedom to explore
Bottom line: A solid resource for Common Core math instruction as well as foundational knowledge in a number of other subjects.
Dive deep into the ocean and learn about the creatures that live there
Bottom line: Ms. Frizzle packs tons of fun learning into this underwater game, which can help build excitement around marine study in the classroom.
Beat bad guys with math in super-fun, super-powerful practice app
Bottom line: Cool superheroes, a great story, and lots of ways to personalize the learning make this math app a blast to play either solo or with others.
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.
Blast off to learning with articles, puzzles, games, and more
Bottom line: Britannica Kids: Solar System is a good reference tool for supplementing a solar system unit.
Marvelous mazes make for engaging math practice
Bottom line: Marble Math offers students absorbing gameplay and customizable math skills practice.
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.
Captivating manga romp teaches kids game design
Bottom line: This terrific and affordable toolset teaches kids how to design games and shows teachers how to use games to teach.
Dazzling look at the world via an interactive atlas
Bottom line: Credible resource for introducing students to the world, which is likely to encourage them to research areas of interest further.
Puzzles and mini-games make Roman history come alive
Bottom line: Roman Empire learning game transports kids back in time for a rich, interactive experience.
Exceptionally well-designed games, lesson plans demystify government
Bottom line: This excellent addition to a civics classroom simplifies complex topics.
Terrific hands-on coding practice with live feedback
Bottom line: In this excellent coding application, in-game practice and real-time guidance crack open the world of programming and turn your students into whiz kids.
Creative SAT prep mixes humor with well-researched word lists
Bottom line: Laughing while learning proves effective for learning words in this witty vocab app.