Critical Thinking Tools

(F) - Free           (FPU) - Free & Paid Upgrades          (LFT) - Limited Free Trial           (P) - Paid
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Data & Info Analysis 
  • Create-a-Graph - (F) This is a simple graph creation tool that does not require a user account. Your students select the type of graph they want to create, select design options, input data and labels, and print or save the graph to their computer.
  • Google Sheets - (F) Input your data into a Google spreadsheet. Apply formulas to perform various analytical functions, use the data to create charts and graphs, and much more. Collaborative editing occurs in real-time. You can see when changes are made and who is making the change.
  • Graph.tk - (F) An online graphing utility. Select the plus button to create a new equation and see the results appear in the online graph. Save a graph by taking a screenshot that can be saved to your computer.
  • ​Infogram - (FPU) This is an online tool for creating interactive charts, graphs, and posters. 
  • Kialo Edu - (F) Starting from a central thesis, students add pros and cons, engaging with each other’s arguments to build an interactive map of the entire discussion
  • ​Puzzlemaker - (F) Create your own puzzles for free. Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more-using your own word lists.
  • Tricider - (F) Use this tool for crowdsourcing, idea generation, and decision making.
​Tag Clouds​
  • ​AnswerGarden - (F) AnswerGarden is a new minimalistic feedback tool. Use it for real time audience participation, online brainstorming, and classroom feedback.​
  • Tagxedo - (F) Turn text into a word cloud with individual words sized and weighted based on the frequency of occurrence within the body of text. You can modify font, theme, color and shape.
  • WordArt - (F) An online word cloud art generator that enables you to create amazing and unique word cloud art with ease.
  • WordClouds - (F) Easily create word clouds and edit size, font, shape, colors. Note: Duplicate word forms aren't automatically weighted by size alone, so you may end up with repeats.
  • WordItOut - (F) Paste text directly into the tool to create and customize a word cloud that can be shared using an email address. 
  • WordSift - (F) paste text directly into this web tool to create a visual display of the text and creates a visual thesaurus.
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Graphic Organizers
  • Bubbl.us - (FPU) ​An online brainstorming tool. Bubbl.us lets you create colorful mind maps easily that can be shared and completed with others. Get up to 3 mind maps to share for FREE.
  • ​Coggle - (FPU) ​This mind-mapping tool can be used by an individual or shared with friends and colleagues for collaborative work. Use the diagram history to see who made changes and when to a collaborative diagram. Get 3 private diagrams and unlimited public diagrams for FREE.
  • Diagrams.net - (F) Diagrams.net is a completely free diagram editor. Draw creative diagrams, share editing with other users in real time. Load and save them anywhere you wish, export images of your finished product using the range of stencils provided. 
  • Google Drawings - (F) Create charts, layout diagrams, and flow charts and add them to your documents or embed them in your website using Google Drawings.
  • IdeaBoardz - (F) A team collaboration tool. It allows teams to collectively brainstorm, gather inputs, reflect and retrospect. It is especially useful for teams that are distributed geographically. It is also handy for teams to collect inputs over some days and then meet to discuss them. 
  • Lucidchart - (FPU) ​Lucid Chart is a visual collaboration tool that promotes and supports organized thinking enhanced by teamwork. It provides an easy way to draw flowcharts, mind maps and more with built-in templates and examples for ease of use.
  • MindMeister- (FPU) ​A tool that allows for creating, editing and sharing mind maps for easy collaboration. This web tool provides an environment for planning projects and brainstorming ideas to increase innovation, creativity and more. Get up to 3 mind maps and real-time collaboration FREE.
  • MindMup - (FPU) An online mind-mapping tool that supports collaborative thinking. MindMup has a logical structure that makes it quick and easy to use. Get an unlimited number of maps FREE and upgrade for full collaboration features.
  • Popplet - (FPU) This is a tool to capture and organize ideas. Used as a mind map, Popplet helps students think and learn visually. Students can capture facts, thoughts and images and learn to create relationships between them. Get one Popplet for FREE.
  • ReadWriteThink Timeline - (F) An interactive tool for students. Use to organize and create a graphical representation of an event or process by displaying items sequentially along a line.
  • Tiki-Toki - (FPU) A great tool for students to explore information, organize their thoughts, create a unique interactive presentation and more. (Additional features available with paid account.)

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