TOP PICKS | 35 TOOLS

Top Picks for Connecting the Classroom and Real World

It’s a no-brainer that students are more engaged in learning when real-world problems and scenarios support what they’re doing. When students see the connection between what’s inside and what’s outside their classroom, they see that there’s more at stake in learning than a report card. These picks build bridges beyond the classroom by connecting content with careers, showing everyday applications of learning, and getting students doing authentic activities that have real impact.

Top Picks

Print list

Discover and Engage in a Community

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

Zooniverse

Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant

Bottom line: Engage in meaningful, relevant research with citizen scientists from around the world.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free

GooseChase EDU

Digital scavenger hunts provide dynamic, fresh learning experiences

Bottom line: Students and teachers will enjoy the powerful learning of a modern scavenger hunt.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free, Paid Free version supports 1 live game and 5 teams. Plus version is $49 per year and supports unlimited live games, 10 teams, and 40 participants per game. Premium version is $199 per year and supports 40 teams and 200 participants per game and has email and phone support.

Project Noah

Engaging online community for relevant, hands-on science fieldwork

Bottom line: Project Noah is a free and easy way to take part in biodiversity research with the support of a knowledgeable and global community.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free

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

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.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

Explore Careers

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

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

Edheads

Realistic, appealing simulations deliver superb science content

Bottom line: Definitely one for your “love it” list, the site helps kids simulate science and engineering career activities while covering related content.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free

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.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free

Couragion

Individualized STEM career exploration targets students' values

Bottom line: Students identify career values and use them to evaluate STEM options.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Paid Annual education subscription starts at $15 per user. Volume discounts are available upon request.

The Sports Network 2

Make news and build ELA skills with this cable sports show sim

Bottom line: It's a great blend of important cross-disciplinary critical reading skills and a fun newsroom context that'll show students how learning translates to working life.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

C'reer

Free app helps kids refine career search, connect to universities

Bottom line: For students who are unsure where to begin, this app helps jump-start the college and career application process.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free

Make New Creations

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.

Grades: K–8 Price: Paid The 3D Learning program at $2,499 per year (and $1,999 for renewal) allows access for unlimited teachers and students. The Learning By Design program at $4,999 per year includes all features of the 3D Learning program plus additional support and professional development. Custom packages are available upon request.

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.

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

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.

Grades: 3–8 Price: Free

CoSpaces Edu

VR design tool sparks creativity for those with the coding chops

Bottom line: This is a well-designed VR playground for experienced coders.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Paid $75 per year for 50 licenses; other license packages available for more students.

Stencyl

Code-free game development tool helps kids program and publish

Bottom line: It ups the sophistication of building block coding by connecting student work to major publishing platforms.

Grades: 5–12 Price: Free, Paid

Appinventor.org

Great mobile app creation site has solid teacher resources

Bottom line: A fantastic and complete introduction to Android app programming concepts and methods.

Grades: 6–12 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

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.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

WhiteBox Learning

Design, analyze, then build STEM applications

Bottom line: Complete learning modules include simple CAD design simulation tools, a digital competition, and options for hands-on building.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid There's a free trial; contact developer for pricing.

Anchor

Podcasting app is super easy to use, if you can do it all in one take

Bottom line: There are few easier ways to publish a podcast, but that ease of use comes at the cost of one-take creation and few tools for post-production.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

Google Applied Digital Skills

Practical PBL lessons teach critical computer skills

Bottom line: Thorough digital literacy curriculum offers mix-and-match options to fit any classroom.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

Lightwell

No coding required -- visual app design for the rest of us

Bottom line: Create authentic learning experiences for your students with app design in the classroom.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid Free two-week trial. $60 per year for one seat/computer, $1200 per year for classroom license (30 seats). Contact for additional pricing options.

HowStuffWorks

Explore the world's nuts and bolts in this fab interactive info hub

Bottom line: Interesting, well-researched articles make this free resource a gem.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free

Promote STEM Learning

Defined STEM

Stellar collection of STEM resources supports project-based learning

Bottom line: Excellent, well-thought-out resources for developing problem-solving skills in the classroom.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid Free trial; unlimited access ranges from $2,950 per year (elementary and middle school) to $3,500 per year (high school).

Coach's Eye - Video Analysis

Robust video analysis for sports, science, fine arts performances

Bottom line: Cool video-analysis tool is great for the sports field and beyond, but prepare for an onslaught of hidden costs to access all features.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Paid The app is $4.99 each when purchasing one to 19 and $2.49 each for 20 or more.