
Most of you are probably already familiar with Google Drive, which lets you share and collaboratively edit Google Docs with anyone else who has a Google account, for free. There is a color palette tool, pen width tool, a shapes tool, and text can be inserted. You can easily add an image, web page, or document as a background to markup. This no-setup web based meeting playground is quick and easy – inviting others to collaborate by just hitting the green GO button to start a session and then use the Invite option.

Twiddla ( Twiddle provides a really easy to use collaborative online whiteboard. There's something here for everyone! Dig in and enjoy!ġ. These tools deliver a wide array of functionality, from communication to collaborative document editing, whiteboards, and gaming, to full Learning Management System capabilities. Many of these applications are totally free, while others have levels of functionality starting at free and then adding additional capabilities through paid options. This week on EmergingEdTech, we've put together a listing of 20 top notch free tools that are being used in schools and classrooms to collaborate and interact on assignments, projects, and other active learning efforts. You know what else teachers like? Good quality tools that are free! And why not? Funds are limited and free is totally affordable!

They also support 21 st century skills like collaboration, communication, and creativity. This doesn't come as a big surprise since these types of tools are fun and engaging. The 2014 Gates Foundation report, Teachers Know Best: What Educators Want from Digital Instructional Tools, indicates that teachers want tools supporting student collaboration and providing interactive experiences. These Free Applications can Enable a Tremendous Variety of Collaborative Teaching and Learning Interactions and Activities
