Here are 15 free ed-tech resources worth exploring:

Empressr – Empressr is a free, online presentation tool. It can be used to upload photos, audio, and video. Uploaded information can be shared publicly or with a select group of people.

Web-Chops – This unique web app makes it easy for teachers to share portions of the web with their students. Web-Chops allows you to collect and organize content from the web and transform it into your own custom pages.

Mindomo – Mindomo is a versatile mind mapping tool that makes it easy to create, organize, and share your ideas. It is a great brainstorming tool for the classroom.

Writewith – This easy-to-use web app can be used to collaborate with multiple people online. Writewith users can upload a document, assign tasks, chat, and track all changes.

ThinkFold – This structured outlining tool allows you to collaborate with others in real time. Thinkfold is a good way to brainstorm, organize notes, and turn plans into action.

Bookgoo – Bookgoo is a free web app that can be used to highlight and annotate student documents that were created on or uploaded to a classroom PC. This handy online tool is also great for students who want to share work with each other and get instant feedback.

SlideShare – SlideShare is the world’s largest presentation sharing community. It can be used to upload class presentations, share class lessons, embed presentations into a blog, and find interesting slideshows.

Edmodo – This microblogging site was created specifically for teachers and students. Edmodo can be used to share notes, files, assignments, grades, and events.

Edublogs – Edublogs is free blogging platform for teachers and students who want to start their own education-related blog. Special features include 20MB of free space, import/export capability, and blogger tutorials.

Flash Card Machine – The Flash Card Machine can be used by teachers and students to create and share flashcards online. Cards can be organized and built into customizable sites.

KeepandShare – KeepandShare is a secure file sharing network that’s perfect for the classroom. Students and teachers can store and share files, photos, documents, class calendars, and more.

Google Docs – This free web based suite of tools from Google gives classrooms the ability to collaborate and share assignments online. The suite includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation tool.

Zap Reader – Zap Reader is a speed reading program for reading text on a computer. You simply insert the text into the web based program and start reading. Zap Reader users can read up to 300% quicker without losing comprehension.

Evernote – This free web app allows you to capture notes, lists, reminders, research, and more. Evernote can be accessed with any Internet capable device, making it easy for students and teachers to access research and notes from home.

Eduslide – Eduslide is free software that can be used to create and publish educational content online. A few of the things you can create include slideshows, chat rooms, wikis, and testing modules.

Engrade – Over 150,000 teachers use Engrade’s suite of tools to manage their classrooms online. The tools allow teachers to post assignments, grades, and attendance books on the web. Engrade can also be used to connect and privately communicate with administrators, parents, and students.

21Classes – 21Classes makes classroom blogging easy, safe, and secure by providing free virtual classrooms and blog portals. Class homepages can be used to communicate with students and the fully-functional blogs can be easily monitored and customized.

Vyew – Vyew is a free collaboration and web conferencing platform that allows users to chat and share information in real-time. Teachers can use the tool to upload course content and other elearning materials.

VoiceThread – VoiceThread offers a secure network for K-12 teachers and students to collaborate and share information online. Items that can be shared include images, documents, and videos.

Mindomo – Mindomo is a web-based tool that can be used to collaborate and create mind maps online. The free version of Mindomo offers professional functionality, import/export features, and private maps.

Empressr – Empressr is a rich media presentation and storytelling tool. Site visitors can browse through current presentations to find learning materials or create their own private and public presentations.

SlideShare – The world’s largest presentation sharing community, SlideShare allows users to create and share slide shows and presentations. Materials can be kept private or made public. SlideShare supports Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, and audio files.

Eduslide – Similar to SlideShare, Eduslide allows anyone to find, create, and share educational materials online. Materials can be presented through wikis, blogs, slideshows, and more.

Vcasmo – Vcasmo is a multimedia presentation tool that works especially well for academic teaching. It supports a variety of file formats and allows synchronization with videos and music.

LectureTools – LectureTools is a suite of tools that is free for instructors at any U.S. or Canadian university or college. The tools can be used to share slides, learning objects, and podcasts and to monitor students’ understanding of educational materials.

LearnHub – LearnHub is a social learning network where teachers can contribute their knowledge and learn from people all over the world.

Connexions- Connexions was created for people who want to share their knowledge online. Users can search through educational content that has been created by other people or upload their own learning modules.

TeacherTube – Described as a sort of “YouTube for teachers,” TeacherTube is an online community for sharing instructional videos. Teachers can post educational videos for students or for other educators.

WiZiQ – Created for teachers and learners, WiZiQ is a free platform that allows users to collaborate on virtual classes, online tests, and other educational content.

Tech & Learning – Tech & Learning is an award-winning publication that has served the K-12 education community for more than 30 years. This online resource offers blogs, articles, webinars, forums, and other tools that teachers can use to communicate and educate themselves online.

TeachAde – TeachAde is an online community for teachers and other education professionals. Members can contribute and collaborate on lesson plans and teaching materials. TeachAde also encourages members to share opinions and ask questions.

TheApple – TheApple is an active community of current and future teachers. Members can chat online, share lesson plans, explore professional development resources, and much more.

TeachStreet – TeachStreet is an online learning community. This unique site also allows teachers to promote themselves and their courses online.

GroupTweet – Teachers who like to communicate via Twitter will enjoy this free Twitter app which allows groups of users to chat privately via Twitter.

PodBean – PodBean is a great place to find educational podcasts and publish your own podcasts online. Podcasts can be published in three easy steps and promoted through iTunes and other handy tools.