AASL released its list of Best Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning 2021! This year’s list took into special consideration how well these tools work for remote/distance students. The resources enhance learning and encourage the following qualities:

• Innovation/Creativity
• Active Participation
• Collaboration
• User-Friendly
• Encourages Exploration
• Information/Reference

We share these resources every year and you can explore our archive of past recommendations here.

We’re looking at the resource Wakelet this week! It is a FREE tool that this article from Infused Classroom describes as “a more powerful version of Pinterest.” Some ideas for using Wakelet are as a classroom newsletter, making how-to tech videos, or showcasing student portfolios. You can check out this Wakelet all about using Wakelet in the classroom! Common Sense Education has this review of the resource and Free Tech for Teachers has these ideas for classroom activities using Wakelet.

Educators can use Wakelet to “create visual, engaging learning environments for learners. With Wakelet, educators can quickly display any kind of content found on the web, through beautiful looking collections that can be presented and shared with whoever you like. School Librarians can use Wakelet to increase engagement with their students through book reviews, assignments, digital storytelling, reading lists and much more.”

Grades: K-12

Here’s a four minute video that’s a teacher’s guide to using Wakelet: