I tested 200 edtech tools. These are the ones worth using

Fast Company Tech

by Jeremy Caplan

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

After testing over 200 educational technology tools, the author identifies several top-tier resources that stand out for their value and usability. These tools are particularly useful for educators but can also benefit professionals and parents looking to enhance teaching methods or quickly impart knowledge. The article highlights a selection of innovative tools designed to streamline learning processes, foster creativity, and improve presentation quality. Pathwright emerges as a sleek alternative to traditional learning management systems like Blackboard, offering a user-friendly platform for creating structured learning paths. Its simplicity makes it ideal for both guided independent study and full online courses, allowing educators to design engaging mini-courses that students can complete in short timeframes. This tool is especially valuable for remote training and professional development. FigJam introduces a dynamic collaborative whiteboarding experience, perfect for visual thinking and exploring connections between ideas. With its AI capabilities, FigJam transforms brainstorming sessions into organized handouts and includes playful elements like stickers and templates to make learning interactive and visually engaging. Educators can use it for presentations, lessons, or icebreakers, making it a versatile tool for diverse teaching needs. Gamma revolutionizes presentation design by offering customizable slide formats and seamless integration of multimedia elements like live websites, videos, and data visualizations. Unlike traditional tools like PowerPoint, Gamma allows for creativity and interactivity while maintaining ease of use. Its AI features can even generate presentations from outlines or text prompts, saving time and enhancing engagement. Genially stands out as a platform for creating interactive handouts with clickable hotspots that reveal multimedia content such as videos, audio files, or links. This tool transforms static visuals into dynamic learning experiences without requiring any coding knowledge. It’s particularly effective for turning old handouts into engaging resources, making it a must-have for educators aiming to boost student interaction and retention. NotebookLM by Google combines AI with document organization, enabling educators to search, organize, and repurpose teaching materials efficiently. Its semantic search feature allows for deeper insights into content, while its ability to adapt materials into new formats like audio overviews or infographics adds significant value. This tool is not only useful for lesson planning but also supports student learning through features like flashcards and quizzes. These tools collectively address the overwhelming abundance of edtech options by providing

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Originally published on Fast Company Tech on 3/3/2026