21 technology resources for family learning programs

The Internet has revolutionized the way educators find lesson content and resources for their students. In fact, there’s so much content available, it can be difficult to decide what to use. The education team here at the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) has gathered 21 of our favorite resources to share with educators and family literacy staff.

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First up, free resources created by NCFL:

Wonderopolis® (wonderopolis.org)

Wonderopolis is loaded with nonfiction, informational text on a broad range of topics in science, history, math, art, language arts, and more. Each article begins in the form of a question and features a variety of engaging ways to explore the answer. Students can learn digital citizenship by commenting on Wonders of the Day® and submitting ideas for new Wonders.

Camp Wonderopolis® (camp.wonderopolis.org)

Explore this online destination that’s full of fun, interactive STEM and literacy-building topics boosted by Maker experiments. Camp Wonderopolis is a great way to keep families engaged and learning during out-of-school time. A new edition is published every summer and is available year-round at no cost.

Wonder Ground™ (wg.wonderopolis.org)

The Wonder Ground is a how-to guide for educators using Wonderopolis! Find blogs, lesson plans, correlations to standards, and ways to connect with other educators committed to high-interest, inquiry-based learning.

Learn to Earn Toolkit (learntoearntoolkit.org)

This toolkit is designed for adults who want to increase their employability skills. It is ideal for intermediate and advanced English language learners and beginning and intermediate adult basic education students. Articles for learners to explore ten skill areas (the top ten identified by employers) are available at two reading levels. Earn badges as you pass quizzes for each article. Instructors can view student progress with an instructor account.

Volunteer Toolkit (readingtoolkit.familieslearning.org)

The Volunteer Toolkit prepares volunteers with research-based strategies and skills to help improve reading outcomes for children. Interactive training lessons prepare volunteers for their interactions with children, coach them on various situations that might arise in the classroom, and impart key strategies for working and reading side-by-side with children.

National Literacy Directory (nationalliteracydirectory.org)

The National Literacy Directory (NLD) is the most comprehensive listing service designed to help individuals find local literacy and education programs and GED® testing centers in their areas. Launched with funding from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, NLD contains over 7,400 educational agencies located across the United States. Additionally, the NLD offers a toll-free number that individuals can call to get a local program referral.

 

Here are additional online resources and apps:

Google Docs (www.google.com/docs/about)

Share documents and files with students and their families and give feedback on student work.

GoNoodle (www.gonoodle.com)

Explore hundreds of videos that activate kids’ bodies and brains.

Calculation Nation® (calculationnation.nctm.org)

Students challenge themselves by investigating significant mathematical content and practicing fundamental skills and can also challenge opponents anywhere in the world.

Cool Math (www.coolmath.com)

Features math explanations that are easy to grasp on topics like algebra, pre-calculus and more.

ReadWriteThink (www.readwritethink.org)

Provides high quality lesson content for reading and language arts instruction.

Audible (www.audible.com/mt/Apps)

Provides a variety of audiobooks and podcasts.

Kahoot (kahoot.com)

A free game-based learning platform for teachers.

AP Flashcards (play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bh.superflashcard.ap.android&hl=en)

Includes 2900 premade flashcards from 8 categories which cover all aspects of the Advanced Placement Test exam.

Schoology (www.schoology.com)

A learning management system (LMS) that provides the tools and connections to engage students more efficiently and improve educational effectiveness on both a large and small scale.

Canvas (itunes.apple.com/us/app/canvas-by-instructure/id480883488?mt=8)

LMS used by more than 3,000 universities, school districts, and institutions around the world.

US Historical Documents (itunes.apple.com/us/app/us-historical-documents/id891748525?mt=8)

Contains over 400 of the most influential documents, laws, speeches, and court cases in U.S. history.

BrainPop (www.brainpop.com)

Provides engaging learning games, animated movies, and activities designed with relevance, depth, and humor to encourage kids.

NewsELA (newsela.com)

An Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

Freerice (freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1584)

Take quizzes and each time you answer a question right, the banner ad that you see generates enough money for the World Food Programme to buy 10 grains of rice to help reach Zero Hunger.

Opposite Ocean (itunes.apple.com/us/app/opposite-ocean-antonyms/id443213664?mt=8)

Learning game in which players choose correct antonyms to solve puzzles.

These are just some of the great resources out there. Did we miss one of your favorites? Share it in the comments!