Ideation and Design Tools
Popplet
Minimalist mind mapping to organize ideas
Bottom Line: Easy-to-use idea organizer can help with simple mind mapping.
Mural - Visual Collaboration
Multifaceted interactive whiteboard promotes collaboration
Bottom Line: Mural facilitates lesson presentation and group project collaboration from anywhere by making idea sharing a simple, visual process.
Adobe Express
Enjoyable and practical design tool supports creators of all ages
Bottom Line: Beautiful templates and user-friendly tools empower students to turn their creative ideas into professional-looking media.
MAD-learn
Create mobile apps with extensive help from start to finish
Bottom Line: Intuitive platform encourages students to engage in design thinking and coding with loads of support.
Paper by WeTransfer
Beautifully designed digital sketchbook for any age
Bottom Line: The simplicity and effectiveness of the app make this a powerful sketch and note-taking tool for the iPad.
Lucidchart
Intuitive editor helps users create and share dynamic visual diagrams
Bottom Line: Students and teachers can use this tool alone or collaboratively to build and share stunning, effective visuals that stretch thinking.
The Noun Project
Think in pictures with vibrant visual language everyone can understand
Bottom Line: It's a neat, well-executed concept with lots of possibilities for learning, imagining, and creating.
MindMeister
Powerful mind mapper aimed at adults, simple enough for older kids
Bottom Line: Sophisticated productivity tool enhances learning and organization with simple dashboard and slick workspace.
Stormboard
Collaborate, brainstorm in real time with easy-to-use online whiteboard
Bottom Line: A versatile, full-featured online brainstorming collaboration tool that can facilitate small-group projects.
Explee
Build slick, engaging whiteboard animations with Web-based tool
Bottom Line: A stellar -- if somewhat pricey -- creation tool for the classroom.
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.
Autodesk Sketchbook
Impressive creation tool for teens serious about art
Bottom Line: Gives students easy access to professional tools for creating digital art.
Grafio 3 - Diagram Maker
Flexible app transforms sketches into pro-level designs and diagrams
Bottom Line: A terrific choice for creating simple diagrams or presentations on iOS.
Websites With Design Resources, Activities, and Inspiration
Makers Empire
Stellar 3D design hub promotes innovation, collaboration, and creation
Bottom Line: This is a great design and creation tool that teachers and students can use to be innovative and share ideas with a vibrant community of makers.
Design Squad Global
Fun engineering problems encourage classroom competition, innovation
Bottom Line: Design Squad Global makes learning STEAM concepts fun through hands-on activities and easy-to-understand scientific explanations.
DIY
Design, build, and share new things offline and online
Bottom Line: DIY motivates kids to tackle a wide range of problems with independent and scientific thinking.
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Bottom Line: Full-featured site and app make iterative 3D design accessible, social, and relevant.
Google CS First
Middle school CS curriculum has stellar resources, room for creativity
Bottom Line: A high-quality introductory CS curriculum where students can be creative, collaborate with others, and express themselves, in the classroom or at home.
KidsThinkDesign
Projects inspire creativity; a place for kids' sharing would boost fun
Bottom Line: A go-to site for teachers looking for well-presented project ideas; kids will need opportunities to share work locally.
Global Problem Solvers
Free animated series and companion materials bring problem-solving to life
Bottom Line: If teachers go beyond the videos and worksheets, students can apply what they learn to hands-on, collaborative problem-solving projects.
WhiteBox Learning
Design, analyze, and then build STEM applications
Bottom Line: Complete learning modules include simple CAD design simulation tools, a digital competition, and options for hands-on building.
Instructables
Endless collection of DIY projects; good for sharing and inspiration
Bottom Line: User-generated projects inspire sharing and learning, though more refined navigation would make it easier to sift through all the great ideas.
