TeachersFirst's BYOD Dream Tools: Free Tools that Work on ANY device!
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This collection of reviewed tools from TeachersFirst includes apps that are available for FREE on iOS (iPad, iPhone), Android, and web devices. Ideal for BYOD classrooms or 1:1 computer/tablet programs, these reviewed tools allow users to create and access projects using the same app, no matter what kind of device they have.
This collection includes only "DATs" (device agnostic tools) that are FREE on all devices and offer free access with sufficient features to be useful without upgrading to a paid account. Whether you call it an "app" or a "web tool," a DAT allows you to access your projects from almost any device.
Be sure to read the "Edge Features" list at the end of each review to know whether you need to create individual accounts, how products can be shared, and other tips on using these DATs safely and within school policies.
Even the best DAT has slight differences in capabilities on different devices. Encourage your students to share what they discover about additional or missing features on each type of device. your class will quickly appoint tool experts for each app!
TeachersFirst encourages our members (membership is FREE) to add comments and ratings to help other teachers and students trying these tools. Apps change quickly, so we welcome your comments on any changes that may occur to these tools and their free status.
(image credit: Jeremy Keith)
178 Results | sort by:
Class123 - Choong Hee Lee
Grades
K to 6
tag(s): behavior (44), classroom management (149), communication (13), DAT device agnostic tool (177), parents (57)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to communicate specific behaviors with parents - both positive and negative feedback. Share this site with students on the first day of school as you go over class expectations and your behavior plan for your classroom. Take advantage of the other tools to take attendance or rearrange your seating chart quickly and easily.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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CoSpaces - Delightex GmbH
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): creativity (120), DAT device agnostic tool (177), digital storytelling (150)
In the Classroom
Recreate scenes from books or use CoSpaces to retell any story with 3D images. Encourage creativity and ask students to develop virtual exhibitions of artwork, animal habitats, or landforms. Have older students create infographics featuring data collections, for example comparing availability of Internet in different American towns.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PingPong - gogopp.com
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), polls and surveys (55)
In the Classroom
Invite students to participate by giving them the class code - no sign-in or account required. Use in a 1:1 classroom, then have students provide feedback in real time to demonstrate understanding. Use as an exit slip, to identify material that needs to be retaught, or to locate specific students that need remediation. PingPong is perfect for use in Flipped classrooms as a quick assessment at the beginning of a flipped lesson.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ClassTag - Vlada Lotkina and Jason Olim
Grades
K to 12tag(s): chat (49), classroom management (149), communication (13), DAT device agnostic tool (177), parent conferences (23), parents (57)
In the Classroom
Create a free account to use for all your classes, and even your extracurricular activities. Use this tool to send homework, project, and supply reminders. Remind parents of upcoming events, practices, or items students need to bring to class or practice. Remind parents of big tests, report cards, field trips, deadlines, back to school night, sneaker days, conferences, and more. Set up a faculty reminder group within your school for emergency closures and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Flipgrid - Charlie Miller & Brad Hosack
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): assessment (118), DAT device agnostic tool (177), Microsoft (59), video (269)
In the Classroom
Flipgrid is a versatile tool for use in any subject. Create prompts for students to respond to about anything and everything. Challenge students to reflect on their learning at the end of a unit, research project, or literature circle. Here are just a few example questions to ask: What are some things you did well on this assignment? What mistakes did you make on your last assignment that you did not make on today's assignment? What would you do differently? What would you like to learn more about?For professional use, create a topic for peers to discuss. Ideas might include discussing concerns with implementing new technology or curriculum. Have fellow teachers share articles of interest from professional journals. Use Flipgrid to implement a book talk on a topic of interest.
Use Flipgrid as a follow-up for a flipped or blended learning assignment. Ask students to explain what they understand and/or still don't understand about a concept. You can review the responses before class the next day. Use it as an exit "slip" before students leave class or as a warm up at the beginning of class (what do they remember about the lesson taught yesterday). World language students can practice speaking in their new language and choose the best video to turn into their teacher. Student or teacher can explain a series of steps in an assignment or concept, one at a time (great for differentiation). Math students can explain the steps they took to solve a problem and why. Art students can explain a creation, either theirs or a famous artists - talking about techniques. Music students can perform and explain their learning, or reflect on their performance.
Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Playbuzz - Shaul Olmert and Tom Pachys
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), flash cards (45), polls and surveys (55), quiz (84), trivia (21), video (269)
In the Classroom
Share Playbuzz with students to create interactive classroom content. Have students create polls for favorite characters in books, use the Video Snaps tool to share significant portions of a video, or use Flip Cards in place of traditional flash cards. Create interactive content for your classroom lessons including trivia to introduce new lessons or create a Gallery Quiz to match images to clues. The possibilities are as unlimited as your imagination and those of your students!Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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Simplenote - automattic.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), organizational skills (119)
In the Classroom
Use Simplenote for all notes and ideas in all aspects of your busy life. Keep your file system with you all of the time! Instruct students in the use of Simplenote for notetaking needs. Share outlines and study guides with students. All members can collaborate and add thoughts. Offer as a way to improve organizational skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Baamboozle - baamboozle.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), flash cards (45), game based learning (139), preK (284)
In the Classroom
Save Baamboozle in your bag of tricks for a quick review of any content. Have students create games to share with the class when reviewing for quizzes and tests. Bring excitement to professional development by creating a Baamboozle with materials you are sharing. Be sure to provide a link to Baamboozle games on your class website for students to play at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Full Steam Ahead - Brunel's ss Great Britain
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1800s (47), DAT device agnostic tool (177), engineering (133), STEM (199)
In the Classroom
Share Full Steam Ahead with students as part of any STEM lesson on engineering or sink and float. After using the interactive several times, have students create a simple infographic sharing their ship-building observations using Easel.ly, reviewed here. The original ship was launched in 1843, have students compare the structure to other ships of the time or as a contrast to modern ships.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MathPapa - Robert Ikeda and Priscilla Pham
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), equations (153), problem solving (292)
In the Classroom
MathPapa is an excellent addition to any Algebra classroom. Provide a link on classroom computers for students to use to solve problems and view the step-by-step process. Share on an interactive whiteboard as you discuss steps for solving Algebra problems. Share a link to MathPapa on your class web page for student use at home. If you are beginning the process of integrating technology, replace paper and pen by having students create blogs sharing their learning and understanding using Loose Leaves, reviewed here. Take this a step further enhancing students' learning, and challenge pairs or small groups to create a screencast with audio for how they solved the "problem of the week." Use a tool like Free Screen Recorder, reviewed here. Share MathPapa with younger students who have mastered basic math facts and are ready to learn basic Algebra.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Survey Anyplace - Stefan Debois and Mark Penson
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), polls and surveys (55), quizzes (104)
In the Classroom
Use Survey Anyplace to accomplish multiple tasks. Create a quiz as a tool for checking prior knowledge or making a quick assessment. Have students answer exit questions or see what students remember from the previous day. Use for formative assessment to identify misconceptions that students may have at the start of a unit. ESL/ELL and world language teachers could use this for vocabulary practice. Have students create quizzes with characteristics of story characters for classmates to see which character they are most like. Students could also create a quiz to present to his/her peers after giving a class presentation. One warning - Survey Anyplace only offers 20 responses per month with its free plan, be sure to keep this in mind. One workaround is to use multiple email accounts to create and share surveys and quizzes. One feature of Gmail is you can create multiple sub-accounts, explained here; this tells how to set up Gmail subaccounts to use for any online membership service.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Recap - SWIVL
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): assessment (118), classroom management (149), DAT device agnostic tool (177), portfolios (30), video (269)
In the Classroom
Use Recap in any subject. Create prompts for students to respond to about anything and everything. Challenge students to reflect on their learning at the end of a unit, research project, or literature circle. Here are just a few example questions to ask: What are some things you did well on this assignment? What mistakes did you make on your last assignment that you did not make on today's assignment? What would you do differently? What would you like to learn more about?Use Recap as follow up for a flipped assignment. Ask students to explain what they understand and/or still don't understand about a concept. You can review the responses before class the next day. Use it as and exit "slip" before students leave class or as a warm up at the beginning of class (what do they remember about the lesson taught yesterday). World language students can practice speaking in their new language and choose the best video to turn into their teacher. Student or teacher can explain a series of steps in an assignment or concept, one at a time (great for differentiation). Math students can explain the steps they took to solve a problem and why. Art students can explain a creation, either theirs or a famous artists, talking about techniques. Music students can perform and explain their learning, or reflect on their performan
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Class Responder - Teacher Created Resources
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (149), DAT device agnostic tool (177), polls and surveys (55)
In the Classroom
Be sure to click the "Help" link at the bottom of a page or the upper right corner of any page for information about using and setting up Class Responder. Use Class Responder in a 1:1 classroom, then have students provide feedback in real-time to demonstrate understanding. Use as an exit slip, to identify material that needs to be retaught, or to locate specific students that need remediation. Class Responder is perfect for use in flipped or blended learning classrooms to share videos and ask questions before students come to class. Create several activities to save just in case you need an extra lesson on short notice, need to have a substitute, or to use as an at-home lesson for snow days.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PaGamO - Benson Yeh
Grades
K to 1tag(s): classroom management (149), DAT device agnostic tool (177), differentiation (50), game based learning (139), gamification (89), homework (43)
In the Classroom
The gamification of the material on PaGamO is sure to catch your student's interest! After creating a class or group, give students the class code to participate in missions. At the end of an introduction of a concept, use this site for specific language arts or math practice. Use this site for homework, review, and reinforcement of any math or language arts concept. Differentiation for students of all levels is easy using your custom groups. Create a link to PaGamO on classroom computers to use as math and language arts centers/stations. Share this site with parents through your classroom website or newsletter as a resource for math and language practice at home. Share this site as a way to review before tests. ESL/ELL and resource teachers will find PaGamO to be extremely helpful for reinforcing language and math concepts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Libib - Javod Khalaj
Grades
K to 12tag(s): book lists (128), DAT device agnostic tool (177), preK (284)
In the Classroom
Libib is perfect for organizing and cataloging your classroom book collection. Use the tag features to organize your collection by genres, subject, authors, or any way you need. Tag books for specific students or reading levels. Post a link on your web page and share Libib with your students as a way for them to give opinions on current books and movies.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Play Music - Listen Now - Google
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), lyrics (21), music theory (45), poetry (222)
In the Classroom
Play music selections quietly during student work time. Filter distractions by finding instrumentals to play during silent reading time, test taking, lab activities, or any other quiet time during class. This tool would also be perfect for performance groups such as drama clubs or musicals that need background music. Use background music for poetry readings during poetry month. As an introduction to a poetry unit, have the class vote on a song and its lyrics to analyze. Whether studying poetry or not, older students may have an "intriguing" song where they want to figure out its meaning. Try using a tool like Genius, reviewed here, to annotate the lyrics to any song. Also, view crowdsourced knowledge for that song and thousands of others with Genius.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Epic! For Educators - Suren Markosian and Kevin Donahue
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (177), ebooks (39), independent reading (123), movies (69), reading lists (77), video (269)
In the Classroom
Create your free educator account and share with students as part of your independent reading activities. Adjust reading preferences and profiles as students increase skills or change interest in reading materials. Be sure to share with parents to use at home.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Comments
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Owl Eyes - Alex Bloomingdale
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): authors (119), book lists (128), DAT device agnostic tool (177), literature (264), poetry (222), reading comprehension (128), reading strategies (55)
In the Classroom
Use this site to assign reading of classic texts, nonfiction, poetry, and stories. Take advantage of the included annotations found with literature selections to build Common Core skills analyzing informational texts. Use this site to post and share discussion assignments on texts and selections from the text. Share Owl Eyes with students for use with literature circles (or small groups reading) as a tool to collaborate, improve reading strategies skills, and to present their book to the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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