The proliferation of web-based tools seems to be growing with an ever-increasing pace. Teachers have a lot to gain from these new resources that are making their work easier. However, with the immense choice of websites and online tools devoted to the educational process, it may become difficult to determine the ones that are really worth the time spent in exploring. In this article, we will make the process of selection easier by listing some of the most effective free web tools that advance the classroom environment.
1. TutorsClass.com
TutorsClass is a great new concept that creates an online classroom, which makes the process of teaching much more effective when compared to the conventional learning environment. This is a great opportunity for teachers to create their own classroom, invite students to become part of their scheduled lessons, organize online classes and make money throughout the process. The 2-week unlimited free trial enables every tutor to try out the service and decide whether it works for them or not. Students benefit from this website as well – they are able to learn from a tutor they actually like and become a part of a really effective online classroom.
2. Padlet
Padlet is a virtual board that allows its users to easily attach, move, and share sticky notes. This is an effective tool for both teachers and students; they can choose the view that’s most appealing to them and personalize their notes. Teachers can share their board with students and post important information, but also encourage their students to do the same.
3. Thinglink
This tool can be used for adding content to images. Since most students are visual learners, the content created via Thinglink can enable them to remember lessons more easily. For example, a map of Washington, D.C. can be made much more appealing by attaching a video over the Capitol building, explaining the process through which a bill becomes a law. The tool is very easy to use, and the image can be enriched with an embed code for video, a link to a related website, or text.
4. iPiccy
This tool is much like Photoshop, with two big differences – it is free and less complicated. The intuitive design enables users to implement tools of resizing, cropping, effects, filters, and so on. If more advanced treatment is needed, the users can use iPiccy’s layers and develop professionally-looking end products.
5. The Noun Project
Teachers have always wished for images that would represent each noun in an interesting way for young students. The Noun Project makes this possible, by enabling anything to be communicated through visual symbols. This is a serious project that enables information to be delivered instantaneously and effortlessly, so language and cultural barriers become easy to eliminate.
6. Easel.ly
This is another tool that enables teachers to depict information through visual interpretation. It is very easy to use, even for those who are not that certain of their tech skills. Teachers can use it as an improved way of presenting their lessons, and students can use Easel.ly for projects that showcase what they have learned.
7. Poll Everywhere
This tool is already familiar to most teachers who have made the attempt to modernize their lessons. It can be used for the creation of multiple-choice and open-ended questions that can be responded via text by students. Enabling students to use their smartphones in class is always an effective trick to make them interested in the lessons.
8. Infogr.am
Infogr.am is a tool that enables its users to create interactive infographics. The templates are very easy to use, so teachers can just throw in the important facts and create visually-appealing charts that will represent the information in a more effective way. 9. BigHugeLabs
Making posters and trading cards is easy with this online tool. Students can use a free education-specific login, which will remove all advertisements from the website and create a cleaner environment for them. Both older and younger kids can use BigHugeLabs to create presentations quickly and easily.
10. InfuseLearning
Teachers can use this tool for free, and the best thing is that they don’t need any advanced skills to send out quizzes, prompts, or questions to their students. They can get the response in different formats (open-ended, true/false, multiple choice answers, or doodles). The language translation option opens even greater possibilities for this tool to be widely used all over the world.
11. Delivr
This tool creates codes that can be easily scanned by a mobile device and lead to a website or an image. These QR codes can be used by teachers as a great way to engage their students in games with an educational value.
12. WeVideo
Video projects can become an exciting experience with the use of WeVideo. Every teacher should have this tool into consideration when it comes to advancing student-centered projects and making them more fun and less time-consuming.
13. Aurasma
Aurasma is one of the most useful augmented reality platforms. This free tool blends rich interactive content with the real world, creating so-called “Auras” that can make any lesson more interesting and easier to remember. The students simply hold their mobile devices up to an image and are taken to related videos, images, or websites.
Sandra Miller is a professional writer at editing services Help.Plagtracker.com from New York. She is writing her first book and learning the art of self publishing. She also has a PhD in English literature, a NYU graduate.