Nifty Teaching Tools

Parent Page(s): Online Course Delivery Options

Note: Some of these tools coloured in the blue colour scheme are third-party applications and may not be compliant with FIPPA regulations. We are only able to provide basic guidance. For a more in-depth tutorial, please refer to the respective websites.

If Using Non-FIPPA Compliant Cloud-Based Servers:

As we all know, FIPPA requires that all information about our students remain in Canada, unless there is consent. The UBC Commissioner’s office has indicated that if use of the tool is required for a course, consent cannot be deemed to have been given. Students must be given an option to use an alias.

Please note that use of an alias often requires a negotiation with the service, since most EULAs (end-user license agreements) prohibit their use. This negotiation should be completed centrally, by emailing PIA.PROCESS@ubc.ca. This body will ensure the PIA (Privacy Impact Assessment) is completed and that legal counsel has signed off on the revised language.

For more information, please visit: http://wiki.ubc.ca/Documentation:Student_Privacy_and_Consent_Guidelines.

  • iClicker Cloud

    Allow students to check understanding of lecture material and have discussions with classmates.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • WordPress Contact Form 7

    Create simple forms, surveys and polls along with customized e-mails for free on WordPress.

  • Meeting Room Booking System (MRBS)

    Meeting Room Booking System (MRBS) is a simple tool for faculty or students to reserve meeting rooms and other resources using their CWL.

  • Gravity Forms

    A WordPress plugin that allows users to create and embed forms into their websites. Create online forms for administration, gathering information or conducting simple surveys and polls.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Collaborative Learning Annotation System (CLAS)

    Collaborative Learning Annotation System (CLAS) is a web-based system that integrates video playback, time based annotation and commenting, recording and media management, all combined into one application.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Top Hat

    Enhance learning environments and engage students through customized lecture experience.

    Cost: Free (until August 2022), FIPPA:

  • Mattermost

    An open source, self-hosted Slack-alternative. Mattermost is secure, workplace messaging from behind your firewall.

    Cost: Limited licenses available, FIPPA:

  • Piazza

    Piazza is an online discussion forum designed around a question and answer format that provides a space for students to ask questions about class materials and then respond to each other.

    Cost: Free (until August 2022), FIPPA:

  • Blogs for Teaching

    Blogging can be used with students to encourage reflection and collaboration by allowing a simple way to publish and share work online. They can be used to replace paper-based assignments with digital writing activities to encourage greater peer interaction and discussion.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Wikis for Teaching

    A collaborative platform that provides a simple way for groups of people to build shared resources and collaboratively edit and refine documents.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • iPeer

    Create and manage peer evaluations for group projects or team-based learning. The iPeer online application allows instructors to seamlessly create and manage peer evaluations for group projects or activities.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • peerScholar

    PeerScholar is an online peer and self-assessment tool that allows you to set up different types of peer graded assignments in your course(s)—ranging from short answers, research essays, to case evaluations, multimedia projects, etc.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • edX Peer Assessment

    Empower students to be proactive in learning with Open Response Assessment. The edX Peer Assessment tool allows students to gain insights to the grading process from an instructor’s perspective, in addition to empowering students to be proactive in their own learning.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • edX Peer Instruction

    The peer instruction tool allows student to respond to a question, review other students’ responses, and have the opportunity to revise their original response. Learners can develop critical thinking skills by articulating and reflecting on their response to the assessment.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • ComPAIR

    ComPAIR is an online peer review tool that allows students to formulate answers to questions and then compare and assess pairs of their peers’ answers based on criteria provided by the instructor.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • StoryMap JS

    StoryMap JS is a free, digital storytelling tool that allows users to create linear narratives and stories using maps. Guide readers along a narrative journey by easily highlighting the locations of a series of events, and pulling in media from multiple sources.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Canva

    Create lesson plans, infographics, logos and more for both print and web using Canva. This free and easy-to-use tool provides a large selection of templates, layouts, icons and fonts to get started.

    Cost: Free (standard account), FIPPA:

  • OpenShot

    Easily cut, slice, and edit any video or film using OpenShot’s free and intuitive video editor, while also having the power to add animations, title cards, audio and digital video effects.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Pressbooks

    Pressbooks is an easy-to-use book writing and content management system that allows users to create and host books in multiple formats, ranging from ebooks to print-ready PDFs.

    Cost: , FIPPA:

  • BookWright

    Create your own book using free, downloadable and easily customizable layouts, or create your own from scratch. Export your book as print, ebook, or PDF for distribution on multiple platforms.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Save Webpage as Word Document

    Save webpage as a word document is a useful Chrome extension tool to preserve a specific webpage as a word documentation for archival purposes or annotation.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Kahoot

    Create a quick and fun session for students to learn in any subject or language, on any device, whether it’s in a classroom, or on-the-go.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Hypothesis

    An open annotation platform that allows users to annotate anywhere on the web, organize research notes, hold discussions with others, and share ideas.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • NeedtoMeet

    A free scheduling tool that simplifies the process of scheduling any meetings, office hours, and appointments.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Edmodo

    Edmodo is like Facebook for the classroom. Connect learners and share resources from across the world with Edmodo. Integrate Google apps and Microsoft office seamlessly!

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Video Annotation

    Digital annotation tools transform the delivery of your course materials. Video annotations allow for contextual commentaries and conceptual tagging of information.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Calendly

    Easily schedule meetings with Calendly. Mark your availability on your calendar to allow others to view and schedule meetings based on your availability.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Doodle

    Create your own free poll online using Doodle. Schedule team meetings and events with a few simple clicks.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Tricider

    Collect ideas and vote with Tricider. Easily ask a question online and have your group members answer or vote. A free scheduling tool that simplifies the process of scheduling any meetings, office hours, and appointments.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Thinglink

    Annotate images and videos with Thinglink. Layer content on top of each other such as interactive links to videos or images and make your content come alive.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Coggle

    A simple mind mapping tool for real time collaboration. Coggle is an easy to use platform that enables you to share information, present and download your mindmap.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Mindmeister

    Create mindmaps, share with students, and create assignments with Mindmeister. Collaborate with others to brainstorm innovative ideas.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Mindomo

    Collaboratively brainstorm and work on projects using the Mindomo mind map tool. Include pictures, videos and text and present your ideas.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Cmaps

    Construct and share a variety of mind maps or concept maps through Cmaps intuitive software program.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Padlet

    “Padlet is like paper for your screen”. Padlet allows you to work collaboratively online using multimedia such as links, videos and other multimedia content to share with the world and generate discussions.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Slack

    A team oriented messaging application with integrated tools and add-ons. Slack puts all of your team communication in one place, allows you to spend less time in meetings and reduce emails.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Google Chat

    Google Chat brings conversations to life with photos, emoji, and group video calls for free. Connect with educators and students around the world through your phone, laptop, or tablet.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Zoom

    Stay connected wherever you go – start or join a 50-person meeting with clear, face-to-face video, high quality screen sharing, and instant messaging – for free!

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Tiki Toki

    Tiki-Toki is a web-based timeline maker that makes it easy to create interactive multimedia timelines in your browsers. Embed images, text and even videos (YouTube, Vimeo and MP4s) into your timeline.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Sutori

    Sutori is a digital learning tool which can create interactive timelines. Sutori’s intuitive design makes it easy to create engaging projects to share in the classroom and beyond.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Poll Everywhere

    Create polls and collect real time responses through sms. See the responses live on the website or embedded in your powerpoint.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Timeline JS

    An open-source tool that allows user to tell a story with a visually interactive and engaging timeline.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Plickers

    Plickers collect real time assessment responses without the need for student devices. Simply give each student a card and scan the responses using your phone.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Prezi

    Prezi’s cloud based presentation software combines the freedom of an open canvas with spatial dimension and motion allowing you to create engaging presentations.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • ReCap Photo

    A software that turns 2D data into high resolution 3D meshes, which can be used for design and engineering workflows. It is a much more simplified way of creating and editing 3D models.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Photosphere (360 degree pictures) & Google Street View

    Explore world landmarks, discover natural wonders, and step inside locations such as museums with Google Street View. Also create photo spheres to add your own Street View experiences.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Layar

    Connect digital content with the real world using Layar. Layar allows you to create interactive print by integrating digital content with print media such as posters, cards, and flyers.

    Cost: , FIPPA:

  • Wikitude

    See more with Wikitude. Wikitude’s “computer vision” connects you with the world in a completely new way. Experience augmented reality content and more by simply scanning the things you see.

    Cost: , FIPPA:

  • TimeLineCurator

    Create a quick and easy interactive timeline visually. TimeLineCurator allows user to input freeform texts to generate a timeline, along with the option to curate interactive events.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Google Cardboard

    With a seemingly boring piece of cardboard, turn your phone into a state of the art virtual reality headset. Google Cardboard is a simple and affordable way in which users can interact with virtual environments.

    Cost: Free, FIPPA:

  • Learning Catalytics

    Learning Catalytics is a web-based classroom response tool aimed at facilitating interactive teaching and peer instruction using a variety of question types.

    Cost: , FIPPA: