Top 100 Essential EdTech Tools Every Educator Should Know About in 2024
In today's fast-evolving educational landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping how teachers engage with students. With new tools emerging constantly, it's no surprise that educators are always on the lookout for the most effective and engaging solutions to make teaching and learning more interactive, efficient, and fun. Whether you're teaching in a physical classroom or navigating the world of remote learning, having the right tech tools at your disposal can enhance your instructional strategies, improve student outcomes, and foster a more dynamic learning environment.
Here’s a curated list of 100 essential EdTech tools that every educator should consider incorporating into their teaching toolkit this year. These tools fall under four major categories: Social Learning, Learning Content, Lesson Planning, and Useful Tools. Let’s dive in!
Social Learning Tools
Social learning platforms leverage the power of communication and interaction to foster collaborative environments. These tools help educators connect with students and encourage peer-to-peer learning.
1. Flip
Create video prompts and interactive forums where students can share responses and engage with one another.
2. Poll Everywhere
Use live polling, surveys, and Q&A sessions to engage students during lessons and check their understanding.
3. Kahoot
A favorite among teachers for its gamified quizzes, Kahoot helps students review and compete in fun, interactive assessments.
4. Peergrade
Peer feedback encourages deeper learning. Students submit work, give constructive feedback, and improve through collaborative learning.
5. Headspace
Introduce mindfulness and stress management techniques to your students with guided meditations and focus exercises.
6. GoNoodle
A tool that promotes brain breaks with fun activities that boost physical and mental wellness.
7. AllSides
Help students explore diverse perspectives on news and political content, fostering critical thinking and balanced discussions.
8. Padlet
Create collaborative boards where students can share ideas, images, and videos in real time.
9. ClassDojo
Strengthen classroom culture by using this platform to track and celebrate student achievements, while engaging parents with updates.
10. Gimkit
A competitive quiz game that allows students to answer questions in real-time, either in class or remotely.
11. Parlay
Promote student-led discussions with this tool, offering open-ended prompts for meaningful classroom conversations.
12. Seesaw
A portfolio-based platform where students document their learning journey, and teachers can offer personalized feedback.
13. Book Creator
Students can create digital books by combining text, images, and audio, making learning both creative and interactive.
14. TinyTap
A platform that allows teachers to create personalized learning apps with customizable educational activities.
15. Explain Everything
A versatile whiteboard tool perfect for explaining concepts and collaborating on visual projects.
16. Edmodo
This social learning platform fosters communication between students and teachers, similar to Facebook but with a focus on education.
17. Grockit
A social study site where students can form groups for collaborative learning sessions.
18. EduBlogs
A secure blogging platform where teachers can create educational blogs for their students.
19. Skype
Connect with classrooms around the world through video calls, fostering international collaborations and virtual field trips.
20. Pinterest
Curate lesson plans, project ideas, and teaching inspiration by pinning images and resources.
21. Schoology
Manage courses, track student progress, and collaborate with other educators in this comprehensive learning management system.
22. Quora
Engage in professional discussions or use it to encourage critical thinking by posing questions to students.
23. Ning
Create personalized social networks for your classroom or professional learning community.
24. ePals
Foster global connections by having students communicate with peers from around the world, exploring diverse cultures.
Learning Content Tools
These tools focus on creating and sharing educational content that enhances the learning experience.
25. Prodigy
A gamified math platform for grades 1-8, Prodigy makes math practice engaging through adaptive learning paths.
26. NoRedInk
A writing platform that helps students improve grammar, writing skills, and their ability to analyze texts.
27. CommonLit
Access a vast library of free, high-quality reading materials, and assign personalized assessments to strengthen literacy skills.
28. Newsela
This tool offers differentiated reading content, allowing you to adjust articles to suit students' reading levels.
29. Code.org
A non-profit that offers free coding lessons for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners.
30. IXL
A comprehensive K-12 platform that covers subjects such as math, science, and language arts, with real-time progress analytics.
31. GeoGebra
This tool offers free interactive geometry, algebra, and calculus applications, great for visualizing mathematical concepts.
32. Edpuzzle
Turn any video into a personalized lesson by adding interactive questions to gauge understanding.
33. Nearpod
This platform offers interactive lessons, videos, and assessments to engage students during live classes.
34. Quizizz
A gamified platform for creating quizzes that students can play in real-time, helping reinforce knowledge in a fun way.
35. Formative
Track student performance in real-time with this assessment platform, which also supports feedback and collaboration.
36. Pear Deck
Engage students with interactive presentations and personalized lessons that integrate with Google Slides.
37. Desmos
A robust set of online math tools, including a graphing calculator and classroom activities, to enhance math learning.
38. Floop
Facilitate peer feedback with this tool, where students can provide specific, constructive feedback on their peers’ work.
39. SplashLearn
Adaptive learning platform offering personalized lessons in math for elementary school students.
40. Google Lens
Use Google Lens for instant text translation, object recognition, and real-time solutions for math problems.
41. PlayPosit
Turn videos into interactive learning experiences by adding questions and feedback.
42. Whiteboard.fi
A simple online whiteboard where teachers can view student responses and provide instant feedback.
43. Bulb
An interactive portfolio platform for students to document their learning, track progress, and receive feedback.
44. EducationCity
Provides engaging, curriculum-mapped content and assessments to help students progress academically.
45. Khan Academy
A staple for educators, offering free courses on a wide range of subjects, including math, science, and history.
46. MangaHigh
A game-based learning platform focused on enhancing math skills for students through interactive challenges.
47. FunBrain
A great resource for fun and educational games to support math and reading skills.
48. Educreations
A digital teaching platform that allows teachers and students to create video lessons with interactive features.
49. Animoto
Easily create video presentations for classroom use with this intuitive video creation tool.
50. Socrative
A real-time student response system that allows for formative assessments and class discussions.
51. Knewton
Personalized learning platform that adapts content to meet the unique needs of each student.
52. StudySync
A comprehensive literacy platform that combines digital content with writing assignments and peer reviews.
Lesson Planning and Organizational Tools
These tools help teachers plan, organize, and streamline the learning process for both themselves and their students.
53. Canvas
An easy-to-use learning management system that enables educators to create courses, track student progress, and engage with students in real-time.
54. HyperDocs
Create interactive lessons that blend digital resources, tasks, and assessments into one cohesive document.
55. Google Sites
Build websites to organize lesson plans, share resources, and engage students.
56. Google Forms
Create surveys, quizzes, and assessments with this versatile tool that integrates seamlessly with Google Sheets.
57. Mentimeter
Create interactive presentations with real-time polls, quizzes, and visualizations.
58. Wakelet
Organize and share multimedia content, such as articles, videos, and images, in a visually appealing format.
59. Teachers Pay Teachers
A marketplace where educators can buy and sell lesson plans, activities, and other teaching resources.
60. Timetoast
Build interactive, visually appealing timelines for student projects and presentations.
61. Prezi
Create dynamic, engaging presentations that go beyond the traditional slide format.
62. Quizlet
Create flashcards, quizzes, and study sets to help students memorize important concepts.
63. MasteryConnect
Track student progress against standards and identify areas of improvement.
64. YouTube
A treasure trove of educational content. Create and share video lessons or find videos to support your curriculum.
65. TED-Ed
Find inspiring educational videos or create your own lessons using TED-Ed’s platform.
Useful Tools
These versatile tools help teachers stay organized, communicate effectively, and create engaging content.
66. Remind
A communication platform for sending messages, photos, and reminders to students and parents.
67. Google Voice
Get a dedicated phone number for school communications while maintaining privacy.
68. Zoom
A leading video conferencing tool for remote learning, offering breakout rooms, screen sharing, and interactive features.
69. Loom
Loom is a video communication tool that allows educators to easily create and share videos with students. Teachers can record their screen, webcam, or both to explain lessons, provide feedback, or create instructional content. The tool allows for instant sharing via a link, making it quick and simple to distribute videos. Loom also offers real-time analytics, so educators can track student engagement and monitor who has watched their videos. With integrations to platforms like Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, Loom streamlines communication in both remote and hybrid learning environments.
Useful Tools to Stay Connected and Organized
These essential tools help you stay connected, organized, and efficient, making it easier to manage your classroom, design multimedia lessons, and streamline communication with students and colleagues.
67. Remind
Communication is key in education, and Remind allows teachers to send text messages, images, videos, and emojis to students and their parents—without sharing personal phone numbers. Teachers can send announcements, reminders, or even individualized messages to groups.
68. Google Voice
For educators who want to maintain boundaries with personal phone numbers, Google Voice is an essential tool. It provides a virtual phone number for texting and calling, helping teachers communicate with parents or students professionally and securely.
69. Zoom
Zoom has revolutionized remote and hybrid learning. This platform allows teachers to conduct live video lessons with breakout rooms, chat options, and interactive features. Whether it’s for group discussions or one-on-one sessions, Zoom helps facilitate engaging learning experiences.
70. Loom
Loom allows teachers to create screencasts for lessons, assignments, or feedback. It’s perfect for asynchronous learning and for teachers who need to explain complex ideas in a visual format. With Loom, you can track when videos are viewed and commented on.
71. iMovie
If you're looking to create engaging, professional-quality video content for your lessons, iMovie is the go-to tool. It lets teachers add text, narration, and effects to videos, making them more interactive and dynamic.
72. Canva
Canva is a powerful design tool that lets teachers create visually appealing lesson plans, infographics, posters, and presentations. With an extensive library of templates, fonts, and elements, it's the perfect tool for producing eye-catching materials for the classroom.
73. QR Code Generator
With QR Code Generator, you can easily create custom QR codes that link to websites, videos, or documents. These can be used in physical classrooms or digital assignments, providing a quick and efficient way for students to access materials.
74. Storyboard That
Storyboard That is a digital storytelling tool that helps students create visual stories or summaries of lessons. It’s perfect for both individual and group projects, and it’s a great way to bring creative expression into education.
75. Grammarly
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps students improve their writing by checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. It also offers suggestions for clarity, tone, and style, making it a useful tool for both teachers and students.
76. Zipgrade
Zipgrade is an efficient tool for grading multiple-choice and true/false assignments. Teachers can quickly scan answer sheets with their phone’s camera and get instant, accurate results. It’s an invaluable tool for saving time while grading.
77. Mote
Mote allows teachers to send voice messages directly through Google Classroom, Google Docs, and Gmail. It’s an excellent tool for providing personalized feedback, answering student queries, and improving communication.
78. Kami
Kami is a digital classroom tool that lets teachers and students annotate PDFs. It’s ideal for grading assignments, sharing notes, and collaborating on shared documents, making it an excellent resource for remote and hybrid learning.
79. Touchcast
Transform your lessons into interactive experiences with Touchcast. This tool allows you to add live feedback, audience polls, and Q&A sessions during video lessons. Touchcast also provides automated transcriptions of your video content, making it accessible to all students.
80. Storybird
Storybird enables students to write stories and turn them into beautifully illustrated books. It’s a great tool to encourage creativity, improve writing skills, and create a sense of ownership over the learning process.
81. Draw.io
Draw.io is a free online tool that lets users create diagrams, charts, and flowcharts. It integrates seamlessly with Google Drive, making it a convenient tool for visualizing concepts and brainstorming ideas.
82. Adobe Scan
With Adobe Scan, teachers can quickly scan documents or worksheets using their phone’s camera and convert them into high-quality PDFs. It’s a great tool for digitizing physical classroom materials.
83. MIT App Inventor
MIT App Inventor is a visual programming environment that lets students create their own apps. It’s a perfect tool for high school and college students interested in app development and computer science.
84. Discord
Discord is a popular messaging and voice chat platform that can be used by students and teachers for group discussions, project collaborations, or professional learning communities. It’s a great tool for fostering engagement and community outside of the classroom.
85. Piktochart
Piktochart is a tool for creating infographics, presentations, and other visuals. It’s an excellent tool for students to showcase research, summarize information, and create eye-catching reports.
86. Poster My Wall
Poster My Wall allows teachers and students to create engaging social media graphics, posters, videos, and presentations. It’s a great tool for digital storytelling and bringing classroom projects to life.
87. Countdown Timer
Keep your students on track with a live countdown timer. This simple tool is perfect for managing time during activities, quizzes, or group work, helping students stay focused and organized.
88. Classroom Q
Classroom Q allows students to virtually raise their hand for assistance, enabling teachers to prioritize and assist students effectively. This tool helps ensure that all students receive the attention they need, especially in larger classrooms.
89. Coolors
Coolors helps create the perfect color palettes for projects. It’s particularly useful for creating visually consistent designs for lesson materials, infographics, and presentations.
90. Evernote
Evernote is a versatile note-taking app that helps teachers organize ideas, lesson plans, and research. It allows teachers to capture text, photos, and voice memos, keeping everything in one easily accessible place.
91. Twitter
Twitter isn’t just for socializing—it’s a great tool for teachers to connect with other educators, share lesson ideas, and stay updated on trends in education. Twitter chats can also provide valuable professional development opportunities.
Google offers a suite of tools specifically designed for the classroom. From Google Classroom to Google Drive and Google Docs, these tools help teachers and students collaborate, communicate, and create in the digital space.
93. Dropbox
Dropbox is a cloud storage solution that allows teachers to store, share, and access lesson plans, student work, and other documents from any device. It’s a convenient way to keep all your teaching resources organized and accessible.
94. Diigo
Diigo is a bookmarking and research tool that lets you highlight, annotate, and organize web pages. It’s perfect for gathering resources, sharing them with students, and collaborating on research projects.
95. Minecraft Education Edition
Minecraft Education Edition brings learning to life through immersive, interactive worlds. Teachers can use it to teach subjects ranging from history and science to mathematics and coding in an engaging, gamified environment.
96. Popplet
Popplet is a tool for brainstorming, organizing, and collaborating on ideas. It’s perfect for visual learners, allowing students to create mind maps and diagrams to explore concepts in depth.
97. Google Earth
Google Earth allows students to explore the world from their classroom. It’s an invaluable tool for geography lessons, offering a visual, interactive way to study countries, landmarks, and geographical features.
98. DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose helps teachers fund classroom projects by connecting them with donors who are willing to support education. Teachers can post their project needs and receive donations from people who want to help.
99. SlideShare
SlideShare allows you to upload and share presentations with others. It’s a great tool for teachers to share lesson slides, and students can use it to present their own work.
100. LiveBinders
LiveBinders is a digital binder tool that helps teachers organize lesson plans, resources, and student work in a user-friendly way. It’s a great tool for managing and sharing materials, and it also includes collaboration features.
Conclusion
With so many excellent EdTech tools available, educators have a vast array of options to enhance their teaching strategies, support student engagement, and streamline classroom management. Whether you’re seeking tools for collaboration, content creation, assessment, or professional development, integrating the right tools can make a significant difference in the learning experience.
These 100 essential EdTech tools offer something for every educator and classroom, making it easier than ever to incorporate technology into teaching and foster a more dynamic, interactive learning environment.