FREE Web Applications for Instructional Use

by Pamela Bracey

CTE Cluster Specialist

Information Technology Cluster

The concept of technology integration is nothing new, but we all know that the demand is becoming more and more extreme...especially with the overwhelming number of new Web 2.0 tools being developed these days.

Over the past two years, I have been attending various educational technology conferences to become more knowledgeable about what other teachers are using, and whether or not they find those specific tools or applications useful.  I’ve learned a wealth of information; but what good would this information be if I kept it all to myself?  

Below is a table of several different FREE web applications available for instructional use.  I also listed a general description of what each application can be used for, and whether or not you have to actually install it on your hard drive.  

Now keep in mind…these are simply recommendations BY teachers FOR teachers; none of these have been endorsed or recommended by UNT or TEA.  If you happen to try a few of them out, I would be excited to hear from you about your experience—whether good or bad.  Have fun experimenting! 

FREE Web Applications for Instructional Use
Name	Type  of Application	Install/Web
Scratch	Programming	Install
Alice	Programming	Install
Blender	3D Animation	Install
Gimp	Photo/image Editing (raster)	Install
Inkscape	Vector Graphics	Install
Animoto	Slideshow/video	Web
Pixlr	Photo/image Editing	Web
Toondoo	Cartoon Generator	Web
Etc.	Various online creation  tools	Web
Wikispaces	Wiki	Web
Google docs	Online documents allowing virtual collaboration	Web
Jing	Visual Communication	Install
Snagit	Screen capture	Install
Camtasia	Screen recording	Install
Wordpress	Blog	Web
Blogger	Blog	Web
Foliospaces	Electronic Portfolios	Web
Carbonmade	Electronic Portfolios	Web