TOP PICKS | 151 TOOLS
Common Sense Education's Best EdTech Winners
Top Picks
RELATED
Print list
Best EdTech of 2017
Peekapak
Complete social-emotional learning units in a neat and tidy package
Bottom line: These 10 SEL units provide teachers with almost everything they'll need to spark positive character development in their students.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Paid
Epic! - Unlimited Books for Kids
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.
Grades: K–6
Price: Free, Free to try Free to elementary school teachers and school librarians in the U.S. and Canada.
EduTyping
Complete and entertaining typing program for all ages
Bottom line: A perfect typing curriculum implementation for schools or districts.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Free 90-day trial for up to 150 students. From $4.99-$10.99 per student for one year with discounts for multi-year licenses. Contact them for prices on more than 5000 licenses.
Minecraft: Education Edition
Stellar collaboration tools, controls make Minecraft classroom-ready
Bottom line: An excellent tool to engage students in learning, collaboration, and critical thinking is now more accessible than ever to teachers.
Grades: K–12
Price: Paid $5 per user per year; schools may qualify for volume licensing.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Powerful stories and media centralize African-American history
Bottom line: While there aren't ready-to-go curricular materials, this modern, well-curated, and well-contextualized digital collection is sure to inspire compelling lessons.
Grades: 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.
Fog Stone Isle
Fun virtual world builds deep understanding of fractions
Bottom line: A 3D world that uses adaptive computer manipulatives and multiple representations to help students retain important fractions concepts.
Grades: 3–6
Price: Free, Paid Free for teachers and their classes. Parents can pay $9.99 for the summer and cover up to three kids in their family.
Spiral
Provide instant feedback with collaborative, multimedia assessment tool
Bottom line: Engaging, easy-to-use tool that supports both formative and summative assessment while allowing for student collaboration.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Spiral Teacher is free forever and covers up to five classrooms. The Pro Teacher subscription is $39 per teacher per year and offers unlimited classrooms, student accounts for home use, and progress reports. The Pro School subscription is estimated at $3 per student and offers the features of Pro Teacher plus additional features, including full integration with the school's LMS.
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.
Screencastify
Easy screen-recording tool facilitates outside-the-box instruction
Bottom line: If you have access to Chrome, Screencastify is an easy instructional tool that lets teachers and students communicate in new and creative ways.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free, Paid Free version offers up to 50 watermarked videos per month and a maximum length of 10 minutes per video; premium version ($24 per year) removes the watermark and unlocks more features, including trimming and exporting capabilities. Bulk pricing is available for groups of teachers and districts.
Adventure Time Game Wizard - Draw Your Own Adventure Time Games
Terrific option to teach basic game design in-app or on paper
Bottom line: A highly engaging hook, along with the ability to design games on paper, make this a great option for STEAM teachers.
Grades: 4–8
Price: Paid $4.99
Codesters
Differentiated text-based coding makes for truly authentic experiences
Bottom line: The well-designed Python lessons and user interface make this a great choice for serious coding instruction.
Grades: 4–8
Price: Free to try, Paid Free to try. Each additional course is $5-$10 per student. All curriculum unlocks at $20 per student. Contact Codesters for a quote on professional development.
NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
Wildly engaging contest turns students into novelists in 30 days
Bottom line: A thoughtful adaptation of the famous and fun grown-up novel writing contest, NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program is brimming with advice and encouragement as well as classroom support.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
AMAZE
Quirky, funny videos give thoughtful answers to kids' sex-ed questions
Bottom line: An appealingly down-to-earth way to help kids face tough questions about navigating the challenges of puberty.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free
Inq-ITS
Virtual labs epitomize the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices
Bottom line: Earth, life, and physical science simulations coach kids through the NGSS Practices.
Grades: 5–10
Price: Free to try, Paid Pricing available upon request; school and district licenses are available.
Adobe Photoshop Express
Top-notch photo editor helps perfect pics for creative projects
Bottom line: This is a powerful, free creation tool from the industry leader in photo editing.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Adobe Spark
Super-flexible design tool for crafting fab images, videos, and sites
Bottom line: This free, one-stop shop for creating sleek graphics, web stories, and animated videos is incredibly easy to use and challenges students to think critically about visual presentation.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Beyond the Bubble
Top-quality assessments challenge students to think like historians
Bottom line: A ready-to-go, pedagogically sound route for refocusing formative assessment on critical thinking and literacy rather than memorization.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Google Arts & Culture
Excellent curation and an unmatched art collection invite exploration
Bottom line: A one-stop shop for a vast amount of compellingly curated and contextualized art, but it's lacking educator supports.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
checkology® Virtual Classroom
Go-to news-literacy site is an excellent primer on media issues
Bottom line: With "fake news" a pressing concern, checkology's literacy lessons offer essential, if not totally comprehensive, skills to help students evaluate sources.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
Niche - a genetics survival game
Immersive genetics sim puts evolution in students' hands
Bottom line: This hands-on genetics game allows students to experiment, explore traits, and come away with a sophisticated understanding of the subject.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Paid $17.99
Political Animals
Charming political campaign sim mixes data analysis and civics
Bottom line: It's a highly entertaining and surprisingly deep way to help students see the strategy -- as well as ethical choices -- involved in elections.
Grades: 8–12
Price: $14.99
Walden, a game
Thoughtfully designed game illuminates Thoreau's writing, philosophy
Bottom line: It's rare to be so moved and permanently transformed by a work of art; that this game manages to (re)create these experiences is a triumph.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free, Paid Teachers can request a complimentary copy of the game.
BioInteractive
High-quality multimedia brings biological research to life
Bottom line: Superb multimedia tools and lesson plans help kids explore biology through real-world examples.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free
Best EdTech of 2016
Gracie & Friends Lemonade Stand
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
HangArt: Play Hangman, Draw Pictures, Tell Stories
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.
Grades: Pre-K–3
Price: $1.99
Zearn
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.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Paid Free core content. Offers school accounts, professional development, and a few other paid products for a fee.
Redbird Mathematics
Excellent adaptive math for flipped or blended classrooms
Bottom line: If you're looking for courseware for your classroom, this is based on solid research and proven technology.
Grades: K–7
Price: Paid Contact developer for pricing information.
Lifeliqe
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Monthly subscription ($14.99) includes a one-month free trial. Annual subscription ($119.99) includes a two-month free trial. Lesson plans can be accessed with a guest account, but interactive 3D models require a subscription.
DragonBox Big Numbers
Carrot-and-stick arithmetic app makes students fluent in regrouping
Bottom line: Hopelessly addictive addition/subtraction app keeps students learning and learning.
Grades: 1–4
Price: $7.99
MetKids
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.
Grades: 1–6
Price: Free
The Infinite Arcade by Tinybop
Simple game-design app has endless creative potential
Bottom line: Letting students design, play, improve, and share their own games opens up opportunities for learning potential in many subject areas.
Grades: 2–6
Price: Paid $2.99
littleBits Invent
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.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; the standard Gizmos & Gadgets Kit costs $199.95. Various other classroom kits are available.
Canva - Photo Editor & Design
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Discover, create, remix, and share first-rate museum artifacts
Bottom line: This thoughtfully crafted, open-ended curation and creation tool has a place in most classrooms.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
CommonLit
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.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
Autodesk Design Academy
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free Free with .edu email account
InsertLearning
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try, Paid The limited trial includes five docents. After that, it's $40/year or $8/month. School and district pricing is available; contact DocentEDU for details.
Ken Burns
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $9.99 Full Version One free playlist on Innovation is included in the download.
Lab4Physics
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Premium costs $14.99 each year with a 45-day free trial.
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
Pathbrite
Create, organize, assess sleek digital portfolios
Bottom line: A simple PBL tool that promotes digital literacy and lets kids create flexible, accessible digital portfolios.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
The PocketLab
Gather and analyze live data anywhere
Bottom line: A science sensor that pairs with your device to gather and analyze data is perfect for inquiry-based learning.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; sensors cost $98-$148 each. A classroom set of 10 PocketLab sensors can be bought for $980.
Code School
Awesome interactive coding lessons can make anyone a programmer
Bottom line: These lessons will keep learners engaged as they grow from novice to beginning programmer, ready to tackle small projects in only a few days.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free, Paid Some courses have free levels; full access requires a monthly fee.
Gone Home
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $14.99
Best EdTech of 2015
Endless Wordplay: School Edition
Rhymes, phonetic approach, silly animations help kids construct words
Bottom line: Good, holistic approach to the nitty gritty of constructing words.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $14.99
Metamorphabet
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $3.99
DragonBox Numbers
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $7.99
Thinkrolls 2
Young learners roll through mazes, discover rigorous physics concepts
Bottom line: Game-like approach to physics teaches kids critical thinking, too.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $2.99
MarcoPolo Weather
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: $2.99
Easy Studio Stop-Motion Studio
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.
Grades: K–2
Price: $3.99
Ocean Forests
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.
Grades: K–2
Price: $2.99
Crazy Gears
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: $2.99
Mystery Science
Big questions, kids' curiosity drive impressive science curriculum
Bottom line: These powerful science units capitalize on elementary school students' natural curiosity.
Grades: K–5
Price: Paid First-time users may be eligible for a free membership. Classroom memberships are $99 per year; school and district memberships are $499 for the first year and then $999 for subsequent years (if purchased before a certain date). Otherwise, regular school and district memberships are $1,499 per year.
Seesaw: The Learning Journal
Versatile digital portfolio appeals to teachers, students, and parents
Bottom line: A powerful multimedia learning and communication tool that demonstrates student progress over time.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free, Paid Seesaw Plus is $120 per year, and gives teachers more privacy options and other features. Seesaw for Schools, which includes school-wide reporting, is priced per student.
Simple Machines by Tinybop
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.
Grades: K–5
Price: 2.99
The Robot Factory by Tinybop
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.
Grades: K–8
Price: $2.99
Fruity Fractions
Stellar tool builds rock-solid foundational understanding
Bottom line: A stellar way to dig deep and give kids an excellent intro to fractions.
Grades: 1–3
Price: $2.99
Mystery Word Town Spelling
Old West crime-fighting takes kids on a spelling adventure
Bottom line: A challenging and really fun way for kids to practice spelling.
Grades: 1–4
Price: $2.99
Osmo Words
Versatile word game challenges across content areas and abilities
Bottom line: Fun game-like way to review spelling or content vocabulary.
Grades: 1–8
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires Osmo game system, which costs $99.99. Classroom kits range from $399 to $595.
Inventioneers Full Version
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.
Grades: 2–8
Price: $2.99 Price varies for Android version.
Wizard School
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.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free
Curiosity Machine
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.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free
Earth Primer
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.
Grades: 3–6
Price: $9.99
Monster Heart Medic
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.
Grades: 3–6
Price: Free
Woot Math
Woot! Woot! Truly adaptive lessons support concept building
Bottom line: A top choice for stand-alone instruction or remediation on fractions, ratios, and decimals.
Grades: 3–7
Price: Free, Paid Woot Math Polls is free. The adaptive curriculum starts at $5.77 per student; prices decrease depending on the number of students added to the subscription.
Zoombinis
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.
Grades: 3–8
Price: $4.99
iBiome-Wetland
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.
Grades: 4–8
Price: $2.99
Hopscotch For Schools: Learn to code, make cool things, have fun.
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.
Grades: 4–9
Price: $9.99
CueThink
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free to try, Paid The CueThink Problem Bank includes free Problem of the Week (PoW) scenarios as well as access to full PoW content bundles for an additional fee.
Elegy for a Dead World
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: $14.99
The Waste Land
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.
Grades: 11–12
Price: $13.99
Mosa Mack Science
Engaging design challenges turn kids into actual science detectives
Bottom line: An engaging way to weave some engineering into your middle school science lessons.
Grades: 4–8
Price: Free, Paid Animated mysteries are free; Mosa Mack Pro starts at $500 and after 50 students shifts to $10 per student. Prices drop as student numbers increase.
Motion Force
Thrilling projectile puzzle game features solid physics principles
Bottom line: This fun, gentle introduction to projectile motion will stick with students.
Grades: 5–10
Price: $5.99 Each student will need an individual account in order to preserve save states and track student progress.
GameMaker Studio 2
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free to try, Paid A free version has limited features. Educational licenses range from $30 per seat per year for desktop creation to $130 per seat per year for UWP and mobile.
Never Alone: Ki Edition
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.
Grades: 5–12
Price: 4.99
Chalkup
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid Individual teacher accounts are free. Contact for school/district pricing.
NOVA Labs
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
The Orchestra
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $13.99
SketchUp
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid SketchUp Make is free. SketchUp Pro is paid, but teachers can get a free license. Students have to pay $49 for SketchUp Pro.
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Bottom line: A big step forward in making iterative 3D design more accessible and social.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
Zygote Body
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
Project Ed
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.
Grades: 7–10
Price: Free
Construct 2
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free, Paid Discount educational licenses available for full version. The monthly option is $49.99, yearly is $359.99. Either option allows Construct 2 to be installed on an unlimited number of computers. Take-home licenses also available.
Extrasolar
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free, Paid
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.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free
Kaizena
Nifty add-on enables audio and text feedback in Google Docs
Bottom line: If your classroom relies a lot on Google Docs, this might just be the feedback tool you're looking for.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free Free for teachers.
Schoology
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.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free The Basic version is free to instructors. There's a paid Enterprise version that adds administration features attractive to districts. Call for pricing.
Vidcode
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.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free, Paid Free introductory projects; contact for pricing for intermediate and advanced projects/lessons as well as training and support resources.
A.D.A.M. Interactive Anatomy
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Student versions range from $69.95 to $135.95 per year. Instructor versions range from $279.97 to $463.96.
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.
Parable of the Polygons
Dynamic interactive helps classrooms explore topics of bias, diversity
Bottom line: A fascinating way to address how communities become segregated due to individual bias.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free
Schoology
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.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free The Basic version is free to instructors. There's a paid Enterprise version that adds administration features attractive to districts. Call for pricing.
Romeo and Juliet (Enhanced Edition)
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $19.99
Best EdTech of 2014
Gracie & Friends Birthday Cafe
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
Hooked on Phonics
Well-known curriculum adapts well to fun, easy-to-use app
Bottom line: Thorough phonics program offers a nice mixture of learning, practicing, and reading.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Free to try Free seven-day trial version includes one lesson and one ebook. After that, it's $8.99 per month. There's also a lifetime subscription available.
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.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Free to try
ReadWorks
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
Nearpod
Interactive slide show 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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free, Paid The Silver edition is free for up to 30 students, the Gold edition is $120 per teacher per year for up to 50 students, and the Platinum edition is $349 per year for up to 75 students. In-app purchases are available for additional content, and schools and districts can receive volume discounts.
Teaching Channel
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Public features on the site are free. Schools and districts interested in the Teams feature have the option for a two-week trial. The developer can be contacted for further information on fees and pricing.
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
The Land of Venn - Geometric Defense
Brilliant, wacky adventure game seamlessly integrates geometry
Bottom line: This captivating game is a great way to introduce or reinforce early geometry concepts.
Grades: 1–4
Price: $2.99 $2.99
Prodigy
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.
Grades: 1–8
Price: Free, Paid Free with optional paid upgrades. Premium membership costs $8.95 per month or $59.88 per year.
LightSail
Robust, full-featured reading app measures meaningful literacy gains
Bottom line: A powerful, well-designed literacy platform for developing engaged readers.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Contact for quote While schools will need to contact LightSail for pricing, their website states that packages start at $5,000 and $12 per student.
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.
PlayPosit
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.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Basic accounts are free. Optional premium features are $96/year and include the ability to copy and edit other teachers' content, the ability to crop video, more question types, student-created content, printable worksheets, grade exporting, and advanced student data.
Shadow Puppet Edu
Resource-rich video slideshow 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.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free
Contraption Maker
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.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Free, Paid The game costs $9.99. Teachers can receive free copies; see here for more information: http://contraptionmaker.com/education/.
Imagine Math
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.
Grades: 3–10
Price: Paid Average cost is $16 per student per school (plus professional development services). Licenses are active for 12 months.
Edpuzzle
Crop, customize, and remix online video content with interactive tool
Bottom line: As a flipped classroom or student creation tool, there are lots of opportunities for use, but teachers will need to be creative if they want students to engage.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free, Paid The basic version is free. The Pro Teacher plan is in development but is slated to cost $6.50 per month. The Pro School plan starts at $55 per month (call for quote).
Twelve a Dozen - all access
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.
Grades: 4–8
Price: Free Offers in-app purchases.
Classcraft
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free, Paid The free version allows for unlimited students and classes with the base game experience. The paid version is $8 per month (billed annually) and adds LMS features, customizable avatars, and more. There's a discount of $6 per month if three teachers sign up together.
LittleBigPlanet 2
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: 24.99
Possible Worlds
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Rezzly
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free, Paid There's a free "Basic" account that supports 25 students and only one questing group. For $12.95 per month, the "Educator" account supports 125 students and 25 questing groups. There's also a "Legendary Educator" account for $26.65 per month (billed quarterly) that adds PD.
ThinkCERCA
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.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free, Paid Free Basic version limited to four grade band-based differentiation levels, short reading lessons, and multiple-choice assessments. Paid Premium version adds 10 levels of differentiation (grades 3-12), more in-depth and varied lessons, writing benchmarking, rubrics, data dashboards, and more. Contact for a quote.
GameMaker Studio 2
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free to try, Paid A free version has limited features. Educational licenses range from $30 per seat per year for desktop creation to $130 per seat per year for UWP and mobile.
Journey
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.
Grades: 5–12
Price: $14.99
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
Papo & Yo
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: 14.99
Portal 2 Puzzle Maker
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: $19.99 Puzzle Maker is included with purchase of Portal 2.
Big History Project
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free
Best EdTech of 2013
AlphaTots
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: $2.99
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Jake and the Never Land Pirates
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: 24.99
SesameStreet.org
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.
Grades: Pre-K–K
Price: Free
Kinect Sesame Street TV
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: 29.99
Love to Count by Pirate Trio
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $3.99
Montessori Letter Sounds - Phonics in English, Spanish, French & Italian
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.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $4.99
PBS KIDS Lab
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free
Starfall.com
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.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: Free
Curiosityville
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.
Grades: Pre-K–3
Price: Free to try, Paid
Feel Electric!
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.
Grades: K–2
Price: Free
Starfall Learn to Read
Delight emergent readers with lively phonics lessons
Bottom line: Easy-to-use, plentiful phonics activities keep emergent readers engaged.
Grades: K–2
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: Paid Classroom access is $175 per year for up to three devices and school access is $1,450 per year. Coding activities require additional subscription fees.
Marble Math Junior
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: $3.99
Oh Noah!
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.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free
Lawrence Hall of Science: 24/7 Science
Outdated site still useful for science games and investigations
Bottom line: Many of these interesting and highly educational activities, though a bit disorganized, still challenge and engage kids in important ways.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free
DreamBox Learning Math
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.
Grades: K–8
Price: Paid See http://www.dreambox.com/educator-licenses to request a quote.
Khan Academy
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: The Magic School Bus: Oceans
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.
Grades: 1–3
Price: 24.99
Numbers League
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.
Grades: 1–4
Price: $3.99
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).
Britannica Kids: Solar System
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.
Grades: 1–8
Price: $4.99 One of the tabs in the table of contents advertises other Britannica apps for purchase with a "Buy" link.
Marble Math
Marvelous mazes make for engaging math practice
Bottom line: Marble Math offers students absorbing gameplay and customizable math skills practice.
Grades: 3–5
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: 4–8
Price: $4.99 $4.99
Gamestar Mechanic
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.
Grades: 4–9
Price: Free, Paid Teachers register classes for free to give their kids access to all of Gamestar Mechanic's basic content. An educational package unlocks the rest -- including a teacher dashboard -- for $2 per student with at least 10 kids enrolled.
Geo Walk - World Factbook 3D
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.
Grades: 5–8
Price: $2.99
Roman Town
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.
Grades: 6–7
Price: 39.99
iCivics
Exceptionally well-designed games, lesson plans demystify government
Bottom line: This excellent addition to a civics classroom simplifies complex topics.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Codecademy
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free, Paid Codecademy Pro accounts include all content from free account plus access to real-world scenarios to solve, online assessments, and advisors who will answer questions and guide your progress.
SAT Word Slam
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free - $3.99