In my opinion, teaching is one of the most demanding and difficult of all jobs. The internet is making things a little easier though. We’ve searched the web high and low to find some useful online applications and resources that integrate well into the school environment. If you’re a tech savvy teacher, you’ll most likely find some of these tools to be really useful.

Having said that, there are many online applications out there, but not all are completely suited for South African teachers. This list comprises the apps and resources that we feel our teachers could benefit from …

1. Book Glutton
   A great application for English teachers. It allows users to read books over the web and and annotate and discuss books in an online community forum.
2. SchoolRack
   Allows you to create a free classroom website or educational blog to communicate with your learners and parents outside of your classroom.
3. AVG
   Most teachers don’t realise just how dangerous and prevalent computer viruses are. AVG is a free, downloadable virus scanner for your laptop or personal computer.
4. BrainHoney
   Move over Moodle, there’s a new player buzzing around. Whether you just want to supplement class room instruction with online content or jump right into offering online courses or a complete virtual school, BrainHoney’s online solution is quick and cost effective.
5. ClassMarker
   The ClassMarker online testing website is a professional, easy to use, online quiz maker that marks your tests and quizzes for you.
6. CreateDebate
   An integrated and dynamic virtual learning environment that will stoke the discussion and participation in your classroom.
7. Curriki
   This wiki-based online application is used by teachers to share educational ideas and coursework. Great for teachers stumped on ideas for activities, this application has a stock of lesson plans, handouts and study guides.
8. Edmodo
   A secure social platform for teachers and students to micro-blog and share files, events, documents, assignments and grades.
9. Edublogs
   An academic micro-blogging platform created with WordPress-powered blogs. Teachers can include class publications and newsletters, online discussions, allowing student blogs and adding multimedia. This free application also suggests tips on how educators can integrate blogs into their coursework.
10. Engrade
    A free set of web-based tools for educators allowing them to manage their classes online while providing parents and students with 24/7 real-time online access.
11. DOC Cop
    Allows teachers to catch plagiarizing learners through software that cross-checks online and offline sources.
12. Footnote.com
    A history teacher’s dream app, with more than 60 million original historical documents to peruse through. Very useful for general world history.
13. Gmail
    Looking for a secure, free e-mail account? Gmail is your answer.
14. Periodic Table of the Elements
    This online periodic table of elements is great for science teachers. When you toggle through the elements, users can essential facts such as atomic number, symbol and weight.
15. Lesson Planner Advanced
    Created by teachers, this tool helps teachers deliver great lectures with digital resources. Throw away the pencil and paper, this online lesson plan grid serves as an amazing tool for teachers to create lesson plans in one place.
16. Mindomo
    One of the most effective ways to organise information and critically think is to visually draw out your thoughts. This web-based mind mapping software helps you do just that.
17. MyStudiyo
    A web app that serves as a portal for online tests and quizzes. Users simply have to add content to quiz templates and create a customized quiz for your audience.
18. Remember The Milk
    Organising your personal and professional life can be a daily struggle, but applications like “Remember the Milk” can ease your pain. This online list management application allows users to create many different lists, schedule tasks, sync lists to email and instant messaging and generate time estimates on projects.
19. SchoolTool
    A free online bookkeeping resource for school management. The application delivers organisation tools for grading, scheduling, attendance, learning assessment and report card generation.
20. SparkNotes
    Helps students learn and practice basic skills, write a paper, study for a test and achieve their academic goals. From summaries of classics like The Scarlet Letter and To Kill A Mockingbird, to Science guides, teachers can utilise this resource for supplementary learning.

Want to see your online app or resource reviewed here? Contact us.

online apps, resources, software