Awesome Productivity Tools for Back-to-School
General Productivity Tools:

Note-Taking Apps and Sites

​​
​
​

​Pages​

Writing and publishing tool is an increasingly satisfying option
Bottom line: With useful new book creation features, Pages is a much-improved publishing tool for Apple-oriented classrooms.
​​
​
​

​Rocketbook​

Write, draw, scan, and send pages with perpetually reusable notebook
Bottom line: Portable, reusable notebook lets teachers and students write and erase text, virtually forever.
Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​Bear​

Write, edit, and sync content on the go with flexible note-taking tool
Bottom line: For an app that doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, it's surprisingly versatile and useful for many types of writing and note-taking.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​Evernote​

Organize digital content with full-featured web clipper and notebook
Bottom line: Students and teachers can learn to better manage their digital lives via this comprehensive organizational tool.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​Microsoft OneNote​

Note-taking giant built for flexible, collaborative work
Bottom line: A powerful (and free) tool for thinking and organization that's making smart strides in the education space.
​​
​
​

​Nimbus Note​

Comprehensive note keeper offers loads of organizational features
Bottom line: Customized notes sync across devices to enhance productivity and promote a paperless classroom.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​Notability​

Flexible note-taking tool empowers learners of all abilities
Bottom line: An excellent tool that lets students make their notes thorough and useful in the way that best suits their learning styles and abilities.
Grades: 6–12 Price: $9.99
​​
​
​

​Notebook - Take Notes, Sync​

Curate and organize all kinds of content into customizable notebooks
Bottom line: From the novice to the super-organized student, Notebook's versatility is a rare free find.
​​
​
​

​Otter Voice Notes​

Create transcriptions on the fly with AI audio tool
Bottom line: A powerful transcription tool for folks on a budget -- just be prepared to check your work.
Grades: 10–12 Price: Free, Paid

Resources for Gathering and Organizing Ideas

​​
​
​

​SymbalooEDU​

Organize favorite educational links into handy grid
Bottom line: It's a simple, visually clean, and very helpful way to organize online information for you or your students.
Grades: 1–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​MURAL​

Multifaceted interactive whiteboard promotes collaboration
Bottom line: MURAL facilitates lesson presentation and group project collaboration from anywhere by making idea sharing a simple, visual process.
Grades: K–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​Kami​

Versatile annotation tool helps users critically connect with content
Bottom line: Kami is an effective way to promote student interaction with texts, authentic documents, and pictures.
Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​MindMeister​

Powerful mind mapper aimed at adults, simple enough for older kids
Bottom line: Sophisticated productivity tool enhances learning and organization with simple dashboard and slick workspace.
Grades: 5–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​WorkFlowy​

Simple tool helps teachers and students make lists, get organized
Bottom line: A simple, free way to get organized combining lists, outlines, and notes with some extra nice-to-have features that make this tool a solid option for teachers and students.
​​
​
​

​ZoteroBib​

Fewer clicks and less clutter equal a new go-to site for citing sources
Bottom line: An intuitive site that takes the stress out of citing sources, but students will still need instruction to tweak auto-generated citations.
​​
​
​

​Google Drive​

Nifty tool to create, collaborate, and sync files across devices
Bottom line: With its wide range of free productivity tools and slick file syncing, it's a level-setting tool.
Grades: 3–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​LiveBinders​

Cool organization and eportfolio tool; watch out for privacy features
Bottom line: A good tool for its organizational, storage, and digital publishing features.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​Office Lens​

Capture, annotate, sync, and share across the digital landscape
Bottom line: Sharing options and annotation features support paperless collaboration and instruction, especially for users proficient in other Microsoft apps.

Scheduling and Goal-Setting Tools

​​
​
​

​Goalbook Toolkit​

Set tailored targets with pricey but worth-it kit of tools, strategies
Bottom line: You pay for quality with Goalbook Toolkit, including access to clear, well-crafted learning goals and strategies that allow for far easier differentiation.
Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​Remind​

Messaging platform offers tight focus on school-to-home connection
Bottom line: Well-designed, highly effective messaging tool delivers on its promise to connect home and school.
Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free
​​
​
​

​Time Timer​

Manage and conceptualize time with great visuals, a few bugs
Bottom line: A decent option for visual timer needs, being sufficiently customizable, but there are still a few bugs and room for improvement.
​​
​
​

​Showbie​

Flexible desktop, mobile assignment tool works best with pro features
Bottom line: A flexible way to collect student assignments and offer written and verbal feedback, especially with the premium features.
Grades: 5–12 Price: Free to try
​​
​
​

​Google Calendar​

Simple calendars aid communication and keep kids up to date
Bottom line: As a fine replacement for paper-based planners there are some interactive components; the calendars still fill up quickly.
​​
​
​

​iHomework 2​

Keep track of assignments, due dates, and tasks with digital planner
Bottom line: This flexible, easy-to-learn organizational tool will help students get set up for success, though teachers will need to follow up regularly to make sure the information is accurate.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid
​​
​
​

​Todoist​

Calendar meets to-do list in versatile multi-platform organization app
Bottom line: Mastering all of the features will take some time, but it's a dynamic app that promotes both individual and team productivity.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​myHomework Student Planner​

Digital planner makes scheduling easy, if paired with teacher app
Bottom line: If used on a regular basis with teacher guidance and motivation, students can be ready to tackle their complex schedules with ease.

Templates for Presentations

​​
​
​

​Educreations​

Enliven lessons and presentations with easy-to-use whiteboard tool
Bottom line: An easy, functional way to create presentations on the fly.
​​
​
​
Powerhouse tool for creating stellar multimedia presentations
Bottom line: Teachers and students can make dynamic presentations that involve different types of media in this innovative, fun app.
Grades: 3–12 Price: Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​Loom​

Create, present, and assess with effortless interactive screencasts
Bottom line: This intuitive tool is excellent for recording and responding to screencasts of any length.
Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free
​​
​
​

​Prezi Next​

Multimedia presentation tool features useful templates and 3D zoom
Bottom line: With its zoom in and out capabilities, Prezi helps teachers and students go beyond traditional slideshows to put important content front and center.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
​​
​
​

​Tiki-Toki​

Create eye-catching multimedia timelines for any purpose
Bottom line: Multimedia timelines connect events visually, creating pathways for deeper analysis of any chronological story.
Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid
Last modified 14d ago