Top 19 free tech tools for 2019 classroom and beyond
Educators are constantly looking for ways to add to their toolbox. Tools for technology in the classroom are no different. The members of the NJEA Technology Committee have shared their favorite 19 websites for the classroom and beyond. Enjoy!
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
Dropmark helps save useful websites into a cloud-based website that is easily accessible from anywhere.
Subject area: Computer Science
Grade levels: 9-12
FreeCodeCamp allows students to learn web programming immediately and offers a certification program that upon completion gives them the opportunity to get hired by nonprofit companies directly through the site.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
Typing on a keyboard is quite different than the phone that kids may be used to. With Typing.com learning to type is fun with games and lessons you can play through the browser.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
This promotes problem solving and critical thinking for the beginner programmer through the advanced level.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: 3-12
Canva is a free site that students and teachers can access through Google for Education accounts or through a personal email address. Students can create elaborate visual aids for all subject areas and topics. Designs such as social media headers, infographics, magazine covers, Pinterest graphics, resumes and more are easy to create with the variety of innovative templates offered.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: 6+
Unlock the wonders of the world and increase the natural curiosity of children with thousands of different topics. Great for warm-ups, brain stretchers and tapping students’ potential.
Subject area: U.S. History
Grade levels: K-12
Teach with documents using the National Archives online tool. Locate teachable primary sources. Find new and favorite lessons and create your own activities for your students.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
Biteable is a web-based tool that allows you to create explainer videos. You can easily add these to your classroom, share with your students, and make your lessons more interesting and engaging.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
Turn videos into assessment tools by adding questions in the form of true/false, multiple choice and open-ended. The tool will grade the true/false and multiple-choice questions.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
This free digital tool can turn any picture into an interactive graphic. You can create numerous “hot spots” at specific points on a picture and turn it into a detailed digital tool. You can include video, record audio or provide a link to any website with the click of a button.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-3
This free website is for brain breaks. It has various short videos, some energizing and some calming. Students can dance along. They can sign up at home as well.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12+
Create learning games for all ages on any topic. It can even be used in health and physical education classes. This website is free for teachers and students.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
This free website, the Digital Public Library of America, contains incredible resources, including over 33 million images, texts, videos and sounds from across the United States. The portal provides innovative ways to search and scan through the collection by timeline, map, format, or topic.
Subject area: English language arts
Grade levels: 2+
Grammarly can be used as both an app through Google Chrome or as a website. Grammar and spelling are automatically checked with the app version or can be copy and pasted into the web version. The free version is suitable, but a paid premium version is available. Allow students to learn from their mistakes.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
A great way to implement technology in the classroom, Nearpod can easily transfer existing PowerPoints and other presentations into an interactive format. Students can access the lesson through their devices, answer questions or participate in group brainstorming while the teacher easily monitors participation and maintains data on student progress.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: 6-12
This is a video editing website. Your students can take their first steps toward pro-filmmaking with free starter software.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
The National Institute of Health has hundreds of sing-along song sheets, lyrics with basic accompaniment, information and games to help form relatable lessons in science and the environment.
Subject area: Math
Grade levels: K-6
Children who struggle with math will have fun developing their skills when competing with their classmates and earning coins and rewards for getting correct answers. Having an avatar and being able to decorate your virtual house motivate students to work more to obtain the items they want.
Subject area: All
Grade levels: K-12
Make what you want using your photos or others’ photos. Great for projects both at school and home. There are thousands of templates to choose from.
The NJEA Technology Committee is one of over 50 NJEA committees made up of NJEA members.
Committee members:
Karen Schwing, Ocean County (chair)
Jane Armellino, Hunterdon County
Stephen Bouchard, NJREA
Christopher Bowman, Burlington County
Gerard Carroll, Bergen County
Brad Cohen, Union County
Sabina Ellis, Essex County
Olive Giles, Mercer County
Christina Gras, Atlantic County
Bethany Hannah, Salem County
Jessica Hoertel, Morris County
Melissa Krupp, Ocean County
Lori Lalama, Passaic County
John McLean, Middlesex County
Ann Moyle, Monmouth County
Arden Niessner, Camden County
E. Alix Polynice, Hudson County
Camille Ragin, Somerset County
Aaron Righter, Cumberland County
Julie Stratton, Cape May County
Stephen Whitehead, Gloucester County
The NJEA staff contact to the committee is Gabriel Tanglao, associate director, Professional Development and Instructional Issues. Theresa Mura is the associate staff contact.
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