Educational Apps: Inspiring Innovation and Empowering Learning Inside and Outside the Classroom

The selected educational apps represent a wide range of learning levels, from Pre-K through college and beyond. These apps were identified as the best because they effectively support diverse learning needs, cover a variety of content areas, and can be utilized both in and out of the classroom.

2. An interactive teaching platform that allows teachers to
deliver lessons combining slides, videos, quizzes, polls,
and VR experiences. Used for engaging students in real-
time lessons, formative assessments, and differentiated
instruction across subjects and grade levels.

Provides instant feedback through quizzes, polls, and
interactive questions. Teachers can view student
responses live and provide targeted support or
reteaching as needed.

3. Promotes analysi

, evaluation,

and creation through interactive
discussions, open-ended
questions, and multimedia lessons
that require application of

knowledge.

+ Complies with COPPA, FERPA, and GDPR.
Student data is protected, and the
platform does not include ads or sell
personal information.

+ Intuitive and teacher-friendly interface. Lessons
can be created from templates or imported from
PowerPoint or Google Slides. Students join easily
via a code, and navigation is guided by the
teacher.

4. Lessons are aligned with state Provides clear tutorials, help center

and Common Core standards.

articles, and professional development

Teachers can select or create webinars. Built-in guides and templates

lessons targeting specific learning make lesson creation and student

objectives and outcomes. participation straightforward. | —

6. Provides live, one-on-one online English lessons for
children with native-speaking teachers. Useful for
developing vocabulary, grammar, speaking, and listening
fluency. Can supplement ESL or ELL instruction.

Students receive instant correction, verbal feedback, and
progress reports after each session. The platform tracks
achievement and learning goals over time.

7. + Complies with GDPR and COPPA. Lessons
occur in a secure virtual classroom; data
is encrypted, and parents control account
access and communication.

Encourages communication,
comprehension, creativity, and
application of language in real-

world contexts through dialogue

and interactive tasks.
+ Very intuitive, child-friendly design.

Lessons are gamified with visuals,
animations, and quizzes that maintain
engagement and scaffold learning.

8. Follows CEFR (Common European Includes onboarding for parents,

Framework of Reference for

interactive tutorials for students, and

Languages) for English proficiency, ongoing teacher guidance. Clear

ensuring structured progression of instructions are embedded in lessons,

skills.

with progress dashboards for both AA

teachers and families.

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10. Designed for early learners (ages 2-8). Supports literacy,
math, social-emotional skills, and creativity through
stories, songs, and interactive activities. Ideal for centers,
intervention, or enrichment.

Provides immediate responses to actions,
encouragement from in-app characters, and adaptive
progression that adjusts to each child's level.

11. + Ad-free and nonprofit. Complies with
COPPA and FERPA. Collects minimal data,
offers child-safe accounts, and never
displays third-party ads or sells information.

Promotes curiosity, problem-

solving, and creativity through
storytelling, exploration, and open-
ended play. Encourages connections
between concepts in multiple + Extremely intuitive with bright visuals, guided
narration, and simple navigation suitable for
young children. Teachers can use it

independently or as a supplement to
7 | instruction.

subjects.

12. Aligned with early learning Includes easy onboarding for teachers

frameworks such as Head Start and parents, in-app tutorials, and

and Common Core foundational printable guides. Instructions are visual,

standards. Supports readiness in audio-supported, and age-appropriate

reading, writing, and math. for early learners.

14. Provides personalized practice in math, language arts,
science, social studies, and Spanish. Teachers use IXL to
assign skill practice, monitor student growth, and target
interventions or enrichment.

Gives immediate right/wrong responses, explanations for
missed questions, and adaptive skill recommendations.
Students earn awards and certificates for mastery
progress.

15. + Complies with COPPA, FERPA, and GDPR.
Uses encrypted data storage and never
sells personal information. Parents and

teachers manage student accounts.

Promotes analysis, application,

and evaluation through problem-
solving, inference, and concept-

based questions beyond rote

memorization.
+ Highly intuitive and adaptive. Organized

by subject, grade, and skill. Teachers can
assign specific standards, while students
see personalized recommendations

16. Fully aligned to Common Core Includes teacher guides, onboarding

and all 50 state standards.

tutorials, and a built-in help center.

Teachers can track progress by Provides in-skill explanations and “learn

standard, skill, or learning with an example” supports for students.

outcomes.

objective to support curriculum —

17. IN (MEN)

LEARNING

18. Used for differentiated instruction, test prep, remediation,
enrichment, flipped learning, and progress monitoring.
Teachers can assign lessons, track mastery, and support
students at their own pace.

Provides instant feedback on practice problems, progress
dashboards, hints, and mastery levels. Teachers can view []
class and individual reports to guide instruction.

19. + Ad-free nonprofit platform. Complies with
COPPA and FERPA. Encrypts data, limits
child account features, and never sells
personal information.

Encourages metacognition,

conceptual understanding,
problem-solving, and

application. The Al tutor

(Khanmigo) prompts students to
+ Highly intuitive with organized content by
subject and grade. Includes clear visuals, step
by-step lessons, and a teacher dashboard.

Integrates easily with Google Classroom.

reason rather than memorize.

20. Lessons align with Common Core, Provides clear onboarding guides, help

state, and national standards. SAT articles, and “Khan for Educators”

content developed with the training resources. Tutorials and

College Board. Skills directly embedded guidance make it

connect to grade-level outcomes. accessible for all users.

22. Students can use video editing to create sports highlight
reels, student interviews, or digital storytelling projects.

Through this process, they learn key production skills such

as pacing, transitions, sound balance, and narrative flow.

Teachers can provide detailed, time-stamped comments ff
on student projects to guide improvement, though the

app itself does not offer built-in automated feedback.

23. Secure Adobe login; no third-party
data sharing.

+ Projects stored privately within
student accounts.

+ Analysis & Synthesis
(Selecting footage,
constructing narratives, etc.)

+ Evaluation (critiquing pacing

and sound design)

Advanced Skill, Requires Time &
Training

+ Does include several tutorial videos
yo | on the app.

+ Creativity

24. + Supports sports media video + Adobe's in-app “Learn” workspace

projects includes interactive tutorials.

+ Connects to standards in + Classroom-ready projects available

Digital Media, Journalism, & through Adobe Education Exchange.

Technology. + Also includes templates.

26. In the classroom, this app can be used for photo editing,
retouching, cutouts, and creating composites. Students
can design sports posters or social graphics, applying
creative and technical skills in a hands-on way. Feedback
can be provided through comment layers or Adobe
Creative Cloud shared files, allowing teachers to visually
annotate their suggestions directly on student work for
clear, constructive guidance.

27. + Secure Adobe login; no third-party
data sharing.

+ Projects stored privately within

student accounts.

+ Analysis of visual elements

(composition, color).
+ Creation via layered digital

artistry.

+ Creativity
+ Steeper learning curve.

+ Once trained, students can self-
navigate using templates.

28. Aligns with visual communication + Adobe's in-app “Learn” workspace

standards and CTE visual design includes interactive tutorials.

outcomes. + Classroom-ready projects available
through Adobe Education Exchange.

+ Also includes templates.

30. Students use this app to learn essential photography
skills such as color correction, exposure adjustment, and
batch photo processing—valuable for creating polished
yearbook spreads and sports galleries. Teachers can
provide feedback directly through shared album
comments, making it easy to guide students on editing
choices and visual consistency.

31. + Secure Adobe login; no third-party
data sharing.

+ Projects stored privately within

student accounts.

+ Analysis: comparing
before/after photos.

+ Creation: curating aesthetic

consistency.

Extremely intuitive sliders and
presets; great for beginners.

32. Reinforces visual storytelling and + Adobe's in-app “Learn” workspace

design standards. includes interactive tutorials.
+ Classroom-ready projects available
through Adobe Education Exchange.
+ Adobe “Learn Illustrator” tutorials

Jj and classroom templates.

34. Kahoot serves as a fun and engaging formative
assessment tool, perfect for interactive review games
that reinforce classroom learning. Students receive
immediate feedback after each question, helping them
understand concepts in real time. At the end of each
game, detailed reports provide insight into overall
performance and areas that may need additional review.

35. + No personal data required from
students.

Recall and
application
primarily.

+ Simple; intuitive for all levels.

36. Reinforces recall and Clear help center and templates for

comprehension outcomes. teachers.

38. Students use Canva to design publication spreads,
infographics, event flyers, presentations, and social
media posts, making it an excellent tool for both
creativity and communication. Its collaborative features
allow groups to work together seamlessly on shared
materials. Teachers can leave comments directly on
student designs for targeted feedback

39. + No personal data required from
students.

+ Student projects are private unless

shared by the teacher.

Creation: students produce authentic

visual media artifacts.

Analysis: evaluating layout, hierarchy, and
messaging.

Evaluation: selecting appropriate imagery

and typography for target audiences.

Synthesis: combining text, visuals, and + Simple; Intuitive for all levels.

brand identity.

40. + Aligns directly with CTE Digital + Step-by-step pop-ups guide new

Communications, Visual Arts,

users through each tool.

and Health Literacy standards. + Includes mini-courses on branding,

+ Reinforces media production, layout, and presentation design
visual design, and health AA

communication outcomes