We are often asked to recommend digital tools to our clients. We resist this because the attraction and use of any digital tool is dependent on many factors including the skill levels of the user [teacher and student], the intended use of the tool and perhaps most important: the Design Qualities a teachers is trying to leverage. In addition, we already publish a comprehensive list of digital tools at SC Web Resources for Schoolwork.
Sometimes our master list at SC Web Resources for Schoolwork can be overwhelming. After all, there a literally hundreds of tools listed there.
This blog is for teachers who would like to see a short list of tools that they can use in the classroom. We have no business connection with these companies. We have used these tools and seen them in action in schools. All have a significant free use component.
Adobe Spark - Adobe has moved their Post, Page, and Video tools under one website. One of the easiest sites to work with we have seen. Create stunning posters, beautiful websites, and fast picture videos.
Lucidchart - Great graphic organizing that works seamlessly through your Google Drive.
Quizalize - A platform to create quiz games for students. Quizalize lets you send quizzes to students to complete on their own time.
My Storybook - This is a free, easy to use laptop storybook tool. Students can type text, draw, and insert pictures. The final product can be printed.
EDpuzzle - Allows you to import video, trim it, add questions, comments, etc.
Storybird - Collaborative storytelling. Match stories with artwork. Students can join a class without divulging personal info. Book Creator for Chrome isa new version of the Book Creator app for laptops using Chrome. Students can create comics and books here.
StoryboardThat - Create comic books. Print as a PDF.
Plotagon - A viable free alternative to GoAnimate. Plotogon is downloaded to your device. You can work offline and it has life-like animation. The free package is super and you can buy add-ons as desired.
Newsela - News articles published on multiple lexile levels. Another similar platform is TweenTribune.
eMaze - A neat "alternative to PowerPoint, Keynote, et al" presentation tool.
Blendspace - A great site to curate content. Now called TES.
NearPod - NearPod allows you to send slides to your student devices and control what they are looking at. It moves the screen from the front of the room to the students device. Also has interactive possibilities.
Kahoot - create quizzes, surveys, etc in a game-based format. A national hit!