TOP PICKS | 28 TOOLS
Great Tech for Cultivating Compassion
Top Picks
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Four little corners
Simple story about shapes showcases problem-solving and inclusion
Bottom line: This cute little story could be a nice launching pad for big discussions about friendship, tolerance, and acceptance.
Calm
Relaxing and serene app helps incorporate peace into daily life
Bottom line: If you're looking for a captivating app to teach relaxation and calming skills to students, Calm is an essential tool to add to your toolbox.
STOP!T
Easy-to-use reporting tool helps kids report bullying, find adult help
Bottom line: With the right context and a strong school culture, this can be a useful and effective tool for monitoring and combating bullying.
Peekapak
Complete SEL units in a neat and tidy package
Bottom line: Detailed social and emotional learning lessons provide teachers with almost everything they'll need to spark positive character development and reflection in their students.
7 Mindsets
Thought-provoking structured program simplifies SEL skills
Bottom line: If teachers take advantage of the extension activities, students can get great in-depth instruction and practice in SEL skills needed for life.
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.
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.
Mightifier
Compact process for positive praise builds classroom community
Bottom line: Great for a quick bonding activity when led by a positive instructor.
The Wonderment
Ambitious global community aims for public good through student engagement
Bottom line: A powerful, improving social network for exploring the world and effecting positive change.
The Social Express II
Fabulous multimedia lessons boost social-awareness skills
Bottom line: Compelling webisodes help students learn to cope with real-life situations.
The Compassion Project
Offline activities elevate digital SEL platform
Bottom line: Teachers should use the extension activities in the lesson plans to take full advantage of the program.
LearnStorm
Guided lessons focus on the brain, encourage a growth mindset
Bottom line: Wonderful, easy-to-use lessons spur self-reflection and a growth mindset in students.
SDGs in Action
Empowering sustainable development app organizes, educates
Bottom line: It's a well-packaged way for teachers to educate students about the current challenges facing the world and to give them a conduit for social justice.
Stop, Breathe & Think
Appealing app guides meditation, promotes compassion
Bottom line: An accessible, well-designed tool for making meditation a daily practice for both students and teachers.
People's Pie
Federal budget game's challenge delivers powerful message
Bottom line: Federal budgeting -- and its unique ethical and mathematical balancing act -- fits game-based fiddling and strategizing well, but expect a challenge.
Hall of Heroes
Responsive game helps students prepare for transition to middle school
Bottom line: Wonderful and fun social-interaction game designed to teach cooperation and friendship skills needed for middle school and beyond.
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.
Character Playbook
Realistic comic book-style stories help build healthy relationships
Bottom line: A valuable series of modules to get kids thinking about how their choices help build strong character.
KIDS
An avant-garde journey of group dynamics sparks discussion
Bottom line: An unusual app that will confuse and entertain classrooms, generating discussion on a number of societal and philosophical topics.
NYT VR - New York Times
Immersive 360-degree videos take users inside the headlines
Bottom line: Though there isn't much explicit learning content, there's immense value in the extraordinary opportunity to take a walk in someone else's world.
StoryCorps
From the everyday to the extraordinary, personal interviews get kids listening
Bottom line: It's a great resource to help demonstrate the value of listening and the importance of storytelling and interviewing skills.
This I Believe
Long-running radio show, curriculum help students explore core values
Bottom line: These meaningful, personal stories help strengthen kids' writing skills through a close examination of their values and experiences.
Thomas Was Alone
Story-driven puzzle game teaches students to value their differences and help one another
Bottom line: This unexpectedly thoughtful and emotional puzzler could offer valuable lessons about friendship and empathy to kids experiencing trouble socializing.
Sit With Us
Teen-created social tool boosts lunchtime inclusion and community
Bottom line: This app has the potential to help students make connections with other students they may not otherwise engage with.
The Harry Potter Alliance
Fan site promotes real-world heroics with activism for social justice
Bottom line: A fun, empowering community for Potter fans who want to talk Hogwarts and make the world a better place while they're at it.
Bury Me, My Love
Moving portrayal of the dangers and uncertainty of a Syrian refugee
Bottom line: It effectively connects students with the harrowing journey of a Syrian refugee, even though some of the interactive elements are underwhelming.
Liyla and the Shadows of War
Stark, arresting game offers emotional perspective on war's human toll
Bottom line: The short length and powerful themes make this an effective way to help students consider the brutal effects of war on families.
Papers, Please
Mature immigration game forces tough ethical choices
Bottom line: It's a provocative simulation about ethics and immigration that could spark debate but might be tough to implement.
