TOP PICKS | 19 TOOLS

Digital Graphing Tools

No scientific calculator? No problem! These apps, games, and websites merge mathematical modeling with the fun of digital creation and gaming. Whether students are learning to graph coordinates on a plane, manipulating variables in a simulation, or gathering live scientific data, they will be better able to comprehend deep mathematical relationships. Math students -- from beginner to advanced -- can use these tools to connect math concepts to concrete, real-world scenarios.

Top Picks

Print | Save as PDF

Activities and Simulations

PhET Interactive Simulations

Massive cache of excellent (and free!) science and math simulations

Bottom line: Instantly add meaningful lab experiences to math and science classrooms for exactly $0? It's tough to beat that.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

See full review

Desmos

Elegant graphing calculator and math simulations promote collaboration

Bottom line: Innovative calculator and simulations are a standout graphing option for inquiry-driven math.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

See full review

GeoGebra

Create, share, and modify math models and simulations

Bottom line: Free, open-source software that lets teachers build or adapt learning experiences to meet their kids' needs.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

See full review

Data and Visualizations

ClassCalc

Free all-in-one calculator makes the most out of BYOD classrooms

Bottom line: ClassCalc levels the playing field for students and offers teachers usable features.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid The free version gives access to ClassCalc scientific, graphing, and matrix calculators. The Lock and Learn subscription includes a custom calculator and test mode ($12 per student per year).

See full review

Tuva Labs

Dynamic data-exploration tool offers large collection of data sets

Bottom line: Partner with another teacher (preferably a data whiz) and work together to develop cross-curricular activities.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid Tuva Basic is free, with access to 15 data sets and five data set uploads. Tuva Premium is $400 per teacher per year or $4,000 per school per year (custom rates available) and provides access to the entire content library.

See full review

CODAP

Drag and drop data to investigate nearly any subject

Bottom line: A bit awkward to use, but far more engaging than traditional spreadsheet/graphing tools.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

See full review

FooPlot

Plot points, make graphs with basic but functional tool

Bottom line: It's free, it's simple, and it does the job; you can plot functions, polar equations, parametrics, and points.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

See full review

TI Math

Straightforward, standards-aligned graphing calculator activities

Bottom line: TI Math activities use graphing utilities and focus more on procedural learning than reasoning.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

See full review

Symbolab

All-too-easy tool for solving, and seeing, step-by-step math solutions

Bottom line: A great visual tool for students and teachers to explore complex math equations, though some may use it just to get quick answers.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free, Paid Free accounts come with limited features, and there's a one-time payment option of $5.99 for two months. Subscription pricing is $0.99 per week, $2.49 per month, or $14.99 per year.

See full review

Geometry Tools

Choreo Graph

Animate with fun geometry STEAM app; learning requires teacher support

Bottom line: Teachers and classroom communities are needed for app activities to meet their learning potential; start with the coordinating lessons.

Grades: 6–10 Price: Free Schools can deploy the apps for free through the Volume Purchase Program to support managed deployments.

See full review

Geometry Pad

Construct and explore geometric figures with smart digital workbook

Bottom line: This free version has limited features, but it's an interactive, tech-savvy way for kids to explore advanced geometry.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free An upgraded version can be purchased for $5.99.

See full review

isosceles+ : geometry sketchpad

Digital tool for exploring and constructing lines, angles, shapes

Bottom line: Versatile high-tech, hands-on tool is useful for teaching, exploring, constructing geometric figures.

Grades: 9–12 Price: $4.99

See full review

STEM

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, Paid Premium costs $14.99 each year with a 45-day free trial.

See full review

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.

See full review

Prepmagic

Customize science simulations to highlight phenomena

Bottom line: Science simulations become more effective with teacher-added edits and formative assessments.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

See full review

Science Journal by Google

Turn your phone into a lab sensor to collect and analyze data

Bottom line: Science Journal does a good job recording real-time motion, sound, and light data using phones.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

See full review

Graphing Games

Mangahigh

Phenomenal adaptive math games with a killer teacher dashboard

Bottom line: Fantastic tool for flipped or blended classrooms, formative assessment, or extra practice in any setting. It's gamification that really works.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Free 30-day trial gives 100% access. Following the trial, users can select a basic or subscription account. The free, basic version limits access to 25% of the content. The subscription models vary based on the number of students enrolled, and range from $195/yr (up to 5 students) to $2995/yr (up to 1,000 students). Request a quote for more than 1,000 students.

See full review