TOP PICKS | 29 TOOLS
EdTech That Inspires Interest-Driven Learning
Top Picks
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Exploration and Inspiration
Podcasts
Search, access, and organize podcasts from iTunes' free library
Bottom line: This valuable tool helps teachers and students find educational podcasts that can supplement or replace the use of traditional textbooks.
Thrively
Cool assessment targets kids' strengths; sprawling content overwhelms
Bottom line: A great starting point for conversations about students' strengths; skip some of the digital content.
News-O-Matic: School 2018-2019
Flexible, interactive daily stories for elementary school students
Bottom line: Engaging, high-quality news stories help students learn about the world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Couragion
Individualized STEM career exploration targets students' values
Bottom line: Students identify career values and use them to evaluate STEM options.
Research and Citation
Citelighter
Substantial all-in-one tool scaffolds the research and writing process
Bottom line: This smart, intuitive system supports students in every step of the writing process.
Simple English Wikipedia
Adapted resource can help some ELLs, with potential for other students
Bottom line: This empowering research tool for more advanced English learners has the potential for wider, more creative applications.
findingDulcinea
Aging search tool has curated resources and links to credible sites
Bottom line: It can help kids quickly find credible websites for study and schoolwork, but those resources will be a bit out-of-date.
SweetSearch
Search engine with filtered results leaves room for critical thinking
Bottom line: SweetSearch supplies valid, reputable websites that can help kids learn about a variety of topics.
Evernote
Handy storage locker for anything and everything you might create
Bottom line: It's a safe, secure, and always accessible place for students and teachers to store their digital notes and files.
Imagine Easy Academy
Versatile site helps integrate literacy skills into the curriculum
Bottom line: Detailed lessons make information literacy accessible; it's a great resource for teaching research-based units.
NoodleTools
Expansive research tool uniquely melds learning and productivity
Bottom line: While the complex, old-school design isn't ideal, NoodleTools gives students specific assistance where they need it the most -- with citations, paraphrasing, elaboration, and organization.
Collaboration
Dreamdo Schools
Sleek project-based learning platform encourages global connections
Bottom line: An excellent tool for project-based learning; plan, create, and share learning around the world.
Edublogs
Customizable classroom blogs get students writing and collaborating
Bottom line: This rich and safe blogging tool makes it easy for teachers and students to extend the classroom into a wider community.
Actively Learn
Empowering social ereader keeps kids actively, independently engaged
Bottom line: Far beyond the average ereader, this tool helps students connect and stay engaged while teachers easily measure progress.
Edmodo
Manage classes, content, and communication with social LMS platform
Bottom line: This free platform allows for teacher-monitored classroom communication but lacks excitement.
Google Hangouts
Communication, learning, and fun converge nicely in Google's slick platform
Bottom line: It runs like a dream, works on all devices, and can be used in so many ways to enhance interactive learning.
Wikispaces
Powerful tool for creating collaborative websites
Bottom line: Wikispaces.com is a rare, collaborative Web tool that's both powerful and accessible.
Google Drive
Nifty tool for collaboratively editing and syncing files across devices
Bottom line: Google Drive is a smart choice for budget-conscious schools, with its free productivity tools and file syncing.
WordPress
Inviting, customizable mobile blog platform with easy-to-use interface
Bottom line: Wordpress's app makes it easy to create and edit blog posts, manage comments, and view friends' blogs, and could be an indispensable tool for communication and collaboration if well-implemented.
Portfolios and Assessment
Goalbook Toolkit
Set tailored targets with pricey but worth-it kit of tools, strategies
Bottom line: You pay for quality with Goalbook Toolkit, including access to clear, well-crafted learning goals and strategies that allow for far easier differentiation.
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.
WeLearnedIt
Digital portfolio and management tool for project-based classrooms
Bottom line: Impressive tool for individualized learning and managing projects is best for 1-to-1 iPad classrooms.
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.
eBackpack
Easy system to submit, review, and store digital assignments
Bottom line: This is a great way to create a paperless classroom, but its potential for enhancing learning depends completely on how teachers use it.
Project Foundry
Helpful, yet complex, management tool for project-based learning
Bottom line: A powerful, though sometimes complex, tool for providing inquiry-based, student-centered learning.
