As education continues to evolve with technology, a wide variety of learning apps and websites are available to support students’ academic progress. These platforms cover everything from math to languages and science, making it easier for children and parents to access high-quality educational resources from home or on the go. Here’s a guide to some of the top learning apps and websites, including both free options and paid services, that can help kids excel academically.

Free Learning Apps and Websites

1. Corbettmaths

Overview:

Corbettmaths is a UK-based website that offers a vast collection of free math resources, including worksheets, videos, and “5-a-day” practice questions. Created by a math teacher, it’s designed to help students master a range of mathematical topics, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.

• Features: The website has videos explaining key math concepts, accompanied by worksheets for practice. The “5-a-day” feature offers daily math exercises suitable for different levels, including Primary, Foundation, and Higher, catering to students from Key Stage 2 through to A-levels.

• Benefits: With its structured resources and focus on UK curricula, Corbettmaths is ideal for reinforcing school learning at home, giving students the opportunity to consolidate their understanding.

• Cost: Free.

2. Khan Academy

Overview:

Known worldwide, Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive set of lessons on various subjects, including math, science, history, and even computer programming.

• Features: With video tutorials, interactive quizzes, and progress-tracking, Khan Academy’s approach is ideal for personalized learning. Students can move at their own pace, and parents can monitor their progress through the platform’s dashboard.

• Benefits: The platform aligns with global standards and provides detailed explanations, which make it a go-to for subjects like math and science. It’s particularly useful for UK students needing additional resources outside the standard curriculum.

• Cost: Free.

3. Duolingo

Overview:

Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps worldwide, offering courses in over 30 languages, from Spanish to Japanese.

• Features: The app uses game-like exercises, such as matching, listening, and speaking, to make language learning engaging. Lessons are brief and tailored to the user’s level, making them suitable for young learners.

• Benefits: This app is ideal for students looking to learn or improve a foreign language in a fun, interactive way. Duolingo has a supportive community and gamified elements, which help keep users motivated.

• Cost: Free (with optional in-app purchases).

4. BBC Bitesize

Overview:

BBC Bitesize is a well-established educational resource, especially designed to cater to UK students. It offers materials for Key Stages 1 through 4, covering subjects like English, math, science, history, and geography.

• Features: The platform includes a wide range of multimedia resources, from text-based explanations to videos and quizzes. Topics are organised by year group, making it easy to find materials relevant to a student’s curriculum.

• Benefits: BBC Bitesize is fully aligned with the UK national curriculum, so it’s ideal for reinforcing school learning, helping with homework, and preparing for exams.

• Cost: Free.

Paid Learning Apps and Websites

1. IXL

Overview:

IXL is an educational platform that offers math and English practice exercises tailored to students from preschool through Year 13.

• Features: The platform provides personalised learning recommendations, progress tracking, and in-depth explanations for each topic. It covers a broad spectrum of math skills and includes language arts content that helps improve grammar, reading comprehension, and writing.

• Benefits: IXL’s adaptive learning technology adjusts to the student’s level, ensuring that they are always working on challenging but manageable material. It’s particularly effective for students needing structured practice and feedback.

• Cost: Subscription-based, with options for monthly or yearly plans.

2. MathGenie

Overview:

MathGenie offers math enrichment programs for students aged 3 to 12, blending online classes with engaging math exercises. The focus is on critical thinking, mental arithmetic, and problem-solving. Not to be confused with Maths Genie a free UK-based website, that focus on GCSE and A level.

• Features: MathGenie has small online classes and personalized coaching from experienced teachers, which helps build foundational math skills and boost confidence.

• Benefits: It’s well-suited for students needing personalized support or those looking to get ahead in math. The structured program helps kids build strong fundamentals while fostering a love for math.

• Cost: Paid subscription, with different program options based on the student’s age and skill level.

3. Rosetta Stone

Overview:

Rosetta Stone is a well-regarded language-learning program offering courses in over 20 languages, focused on building proficiency through immersive, real-life conversation scenarios.

• Features: It uses a unique immersion method, focusing on speaking and listening with native pronunciation, without relying on translations. The app provides feedback on pronunciation and progress tracking.

• Benefits: Rosetta Stone’s immersive approach can be beneficial for students who want to achieve a strong grasp of a new language, especially for conversational purposes. It is highly interactive and suitable for different age groups.

• Cost: Subscription-based, with monthly and yearly options.

4. BrainPOP

Overview :

BrainPOP is an educational platform covering a variety of subjects, including science, history, math, and English, targeted at children aged 6-14.

• Features: BrainPOP uses animated videos, quizzes, and activities to teach concepts in an engaging and understandable way. It covers both curriculum-aligned topics and general knowledge.

• Benefits: BrainPOP’s animated style makes it appealing to young learners, and it’s useful for visual learners who benefit from content presented in video form. The quizzes and activities reinforce understanding, making it great for home learning.

• Cost: Paid subscription, with monthly and yearly options.

Choosing the Right Tool for Your Child

When choosing an app or website for academic support, consider the following:

• Curriculum Alignment: Some platforms, like BBC Bitesize and Corbettmaths, align closely with the UK national curriculum, making them great for school support. My kids love BBC Bitesize and it became part of their routine to use this platform to revise the fundamentals in maths or to have a brief overview on another topic.

• Skill Level: Ensure the platform offers content suitable for your child’s current skill level. IXL and Khan Academy provide personalized recommendations based on ability. We had an IXL subscription and I have to admit that it was very addictive, my son was totally obsessed with the leaderboard. It encouraged him to stay competitive and on track as they receive badges and certificates of accomplishment when they master a topic.

• Interactivity: Look for apps that engage students through interactivity, such as BrainPOP’s videos and Duolingo’s gamified exercises. Duolingo became a family game the interface is engaging and children are excited to play with it, but from my experience children will need a pen and a paper to retain those informations and get the best of the app.

• Budget: Many excellent resources are free, like Khan Academy and BBC Bitesize. For a more tailored experience, platforms like IXL and MathGenie may be worth the investment. Khan Academy is very diverse and even though it’s not tailored to the UK curriculum we use it to get an introduction to science and arts related learning.

Conclusion

Using educational apps and websites can be a powerful way to support children’s academic growth. From free resources like BBC Bitesize to subscription-based platforms like MathGenie, there are options to fit every learning style and budget. Whether the goal is to improve in math, learn a new language, or broaden general knowledge, these platforms offer convenient and effective tools to help children succeed academically. Which app or website is the favourite of your children? Share your experiences as a parent and the outcome, did it help or not?