Best EdTech of 2014
Common Sense Graphite editors and reviewers rated and reviewed hundreds of learning tools in 2014, using our research-backed rubric and rigorous evaluative process. Out of that pack, these tools not only rated highly for engagement, pedagogy, and support, but stood out as truly head of the class.
1. Cookie Monster's Challenge Publisher: PBS KIDS Unique games help young kids build essential school-readiness skills Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price $2.99
Platforms iPad
2. Gracie and Friends Birthday Cafe Publisher: First 8 Studios at WGBH Numbers and quantity game has precise focus and superb scaffolding Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price Free
Platforms iPad
3. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Classroom Edition Publisher: Hooked on Phonics Research-based curriculum adapts beautifully to fun, easy-to-use app Grades Pre-K-1 Type App Price $49.99
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
4. TinyTap, make and play educational games and interactive lessons Publisher: TinyTap Ltd. Combination game-creation tool and vast library of pre-created content Grades Pre-K-5 Type App Price Free
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
5. ReadWorks URL: http://www.readworks.org/ An ELA teacher's one-stop shop for reading comprehension resources Grades K-8 Type Website Price Free
6. Nearpod Publisher: Panarea Interactive, multimedia slideshows engage students and provide feedback Grades K-12 Type App Price Free
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Nook HD, Chromebook, Apps for Windows Learning Rating Teacher Rating
7. Teaching Channel URL: https://www.teachingchannel.org See colleagues in action with digital PD for discussion and reflection Grades K-12 Type Website Price Paid
8. Teaching Tolerance URL: http://www.tolerance.org/ Thought-provoking classroom resources support diversity education Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free
9. The Land of Venn - Geometric Defense Publisher: iMagine Machine LLC Brilliant, wacky adventure game seamlessly integrates geometry Grades 1-4 Type App Price $2.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
10. Prodigy Publisher: Smart Teacher Adaptive math practice wrapped in roleplaying adventure Grades 1-5 Type Game Price Free with optional paid upgrades
Platforms Linux, Mac, Windows
11. IF... The Emotional IQ Game Publisher: If You Can Captivating journey cultivates kids' social and emotional skills Grades 1-7 Type App Price Free
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
12. LightSail Publisher: LightSail Inc. Robust, responsive reading tool measures meaningful literacy outcomes Grades 1-12 Type App Price By subscription
Platforms Android, iPad, Chromebook
13. Shadow Puppet Edu Publisher: Shadow Puppet Inc. Resource-rich video slideshow creator a gem for elementary classrooms Grades 2-5 Type App Price Free
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
14. Contraption Maker Publisher: Spotkin Solve problems, puzzles, brain teasers while creating wacky machines Grades 3-8 Type Game Price Free for educators; $14.99 otherwise
Platforms Mac, Windows
15. Think Through Math URL: http://www.thinkthroughmath.com/ Great adaptive learning comes with live teacher support, unique rewards Grades 3-9 Type Website Price Paid
16. Twelve a Dozen Publisher: Bossa Studios Ltd. Engrossing math platformer puts problem-solving skills to the test Grades 4-8 Type App Price $4.99
Platforms iPad Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
17. Classcraft Publisher: Classcraft Studios Track behavior, motivate students with clever fantasy-themed game Grades 4-12 Type Game Price Free to $10 per class and $1 per student
Platforms Linux, Mac, Windows
18. Geddit URL: http://letsgeddit.com Response tool's clever content delivery supports students' confidence Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free
19. LittleBigPlanet 2 Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Accessible yet deep game creator will dazzle and challenge Grades 4-12 Type Game Price 19.99
Platforms PlayStation 3
20. Possible Worlds Publisher: Center for Children and Technology Entertaining, well-researched games correct scientific misconceptions Grades 4-12 Type Game Price Free
Platforms Mac, Windows
21. ThinkCERCA URL: http://www.thinkcerca.com Critical reading program buoyed by high-interest texts, clear structure Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Paid
22. 3D Game Lab URL: http://3dgamelab.com/ Leveling and quests turn classes into personalized adventures Grades 4-12 Type Website Price $9.95 to $79.95 monthly with sign - up fee
23. Zamzee URL: https://www.zamzee.com/ Unique activity meter and snappy website make exercise fun Grades 4-12 Type Website Price $29.00
24. eduCanon URL: http://www.educanon.com/ Simple tool adds interactivity and formative assessment to videos Grades 5-12 Type Website Price Free
25. GameMaker: Studio Publisher: YoYo Games Ltd. One of the best creation tools available for aspiring game developers Grades 5-12 Type Game Price Standard version free. $99.99 - 799.99 for more features.
Platforms Windows
26. Journey Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Gorgeous, moving adventure -- a jewel of social and emotional learning Grades 5-12 Type Game Price $19.49
Platforms PlayStation 3
27. Newsela URL: http://www.newsela.com Quickly connect kids to absorbing news right at their reading levels Grades 5-12 Type Website Price Paid
28. DragonBox EDU URL: http://wewanttoknow.com/teachers/ Innovative algebra game's classroom version has teacher tools Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Paid
29. EdPuzzle URL: http://edpuzzle.com/home Crop, customize, and remix online videos for your classroom Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free
30. Facing History and Ourselves URL: https://www.facinghistory.org/ A wealth of resources explore racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free
31. Papo & Yo Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Powerful tale of alcoholism uses puzzles and metaphor to build empathy Grades 6-12 Type Game Price 14.99
Platforms Linux, Mac, PlayStation 3, Windows
32. Curriculet URL: http://www.curriculet.com Elegant reading tool promotes comprehension with embedded assessments Grades 7-12 Type Website Price Free
33. Portal 2 Puzzle Maker Publisher: Valve Mind-bending level editor for beloved physics game Grades 7-12 Type Game Price $19.99
Platforms Mac, Windows Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
34. Big History Project URL: http://www.bighistoryproject.com Fascinating look at life's bigger questions offers a fresh perspective Grades 9-12 Type Website Price Free
Common Sense Graphite editors and reviewers rated and reviewed hundreds of learning tools in 2014, using our research-backed rubric and rigorous evaluative process. Out of that pack, these tools not only rated highly for engagement, pedagogy, and support, but stood out as truly head of the class.
1. Cookie Monster's Challenge Publisher: PBS KIDS Unique games help young kids build essential school-readiness skills Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price $2.99
Platforms iPad
2. Gracie and Friends Birthday Cafe Publisher: First 8 Studios at WGBH Numbers and quantity game has precise focus and superb scaffolding Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price Free
Platforms iPad
3. Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Classroom Edition Publisher: Hooked on Phonics Research-based curriculum adapts beautifully to fun, easy-to-use app Grades Pre-K-1 Type App Price $49.99
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
4. TinyTap, make and play educational games and interactive lessons Publisher: TinyTap Ltd. Combination game-creation tool and vast library of pre-created content Grades Pre-K-5 Type App Price Free
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
5. ReadWorks URL: http://www.readworks.org/ An ELA teacher's one-stop shop for reading comprehension resources Grades K-8 Type Website Price Free
6. Nearpod Publisher: Panarea Interactive, multimedia slideshows engage students and provide feedback Grades K-12 Type App Price Free
Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Nook HD, Chromebook, Apps for Windows Learning Rating Teacher Rating
7. Teaching Channel URL: https://www.teachingchannel.org See colleagues in action with digital PD for discussion and reflection Grades K-12 Type Website Price Paid
8. Teaching Tolerance URL: http://www.tolerance.org/ Thought-provoking classroom resources support diversity education Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free
9. The Land of Venn - Geometric Defense Publisher: iMagine Machine LLC Brilliant, wacky adventure game seamlessly integrates geometry Grades 1-4 Type App Price $2.99
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
10. Prodigy Publisher: Smart Teacher Adaptive math practice wrapped in roleplaying adventure Grades 1-5 Type Game Price Free with optional paid upgrades
Platforms Linux, Mac, Windows
11. IF... The Emotional IQ Game Publisher: If You Can Captivating journey cultivates kids' social and emotional skills Grades 1-7 Type App Price Free
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
12. LightSail Publisher: LightSail Inc. Robust, responsive reading tool measures meaningful literacy outcomes Grades 1-12 Type App Price By subscription
Platforms Android, iPad, Chromebook
13. Shadow Puppet Edu Publisher: Shadow Puppet Inc. Resource-rich video slideshow creator a gem for elementary classrooms Grades 2-5 Type App Price Free
Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
14. Contraption Maker Publisher: Spotkin Solve problems, puzzles, brain teasers while creating wacky machines Grades 3-8 Type Game Price Free for educators; $14.99 otherwise
Platforms Mac, Windows
15. Think Through Math URL: http://www.thinkthroughmath.com/ Great adaptive learning comes with live teacher support, unique rewards Grades 3-9 Type Website Price Paid
16. Twelve a Dozen Publisher: Bossa Studios Ltd. Engrossing math platformer puts problem-solving skills to the test Grades 4-8 Type App Price $4.99
Platforms iPad Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
17. Classcraft Publisher: Classcraft Studios Track behavior, motivate students with clever fantasy-themed game Grades 4-12 Type Game Price Free to $10 per class and $1 per student
Platforms Linux, Mac, Windows
18. Geddit URL: http://letsgeddit.com Response tool's clever content delivery supports students' confidence Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free
19. LittleBigPlanet 2 Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Accessible yet deep game creator will dazzle and challenge Grades 4-12 Type Game Price 19.99
Platforms PlayStation 3
20. Possible Worlds Publisher: Center for Children and Technology Entertaining, well-researched games correct scientific misconceptions Grades 4-12 Type Game Price Free
Platforms Mac, Windows
21. ThinkCERCA URL: http://www.thinkcerca.com Critical reading program buoyed by high-interest texts, clear structure Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Paid
22. 3D Game Lab URL: http://3dgamelab.com/ Leveling and quests turn classes into personalized adventures Grades 4-12 Type Website Price $9.95 to $79.95 monthly with sign - up fee
23. Zamzee URL: https://www.zamzee.com/ Unique activity meter and snappy website make exercise fun Grades 4-12 Type Website Price $29.00
24. eduCanon URL: http://www.educanon.com/ Simple tool adds interactivity and formative assessment to videos Grades 5-12 Type Website Price Free
25. GameMaker: Studio Publisher: YoYo Games Ltd. One of the best creation tools available for aspiring game developers Grades 5-12 Type Game Price Standard version free. $99.99 - 799.99 for more features.
Platforms Windows
26. Journey Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Gorgeous, moving adventure -- a jewel of social and emotional learning Grades 5-12 Type Game Price $19.49
Platforms PlayStation 3
27. Newsela URL: http://www.newsela.com Quickly connect kids to absorbing news right at their reading levels Grades 5-12 Type Website Price Paid
28. DragonBox EDU URL: http://wewanttoknow.com/teachers/ Innovative algebra game's classroom version has teacher tools Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Paid
29. EdPuzzle URL: http://edpuzzle.com/home Crop, customize, and remix online videos for your classroom Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free
30. Facing History and Ourselves URL: https://www.facinghistory.org/ A wealth of resources explore racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free
31. Papo & Yo Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Powerful tale of alcoholism uses puzzles and metaphor to build empathy Grades 6-12 Type Game Price 14.99
Platforms Linux, Mac, PlayStation 3, Windows
32. Curriculet URL: http://www.curriculet.com Elegant reading tool promotes comprehension with embedded assessments Grades 7-12 Type Website Price Free
33. Portal 2 Puzzle Maker Publisher: Valve Mind-bending level editor for beloved physics game Grades 7-12 Type Game Price $19.99
Platforms Mac, Windows Learning Rating Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
34. Big History Project URL: http://www.bighistoryproject.com Fascinating look at life's bigger questions offers a fresh perspective Grades 9-12 Type Website Price Free
