20 engaging flipped learning apps for in the flipped classroom

Flipped learning has become one of the most effective ways to maximize classroom time and increase student engagement.

Traditionally, flipped classrooms ask students to explore instructional content at home, then use class time for discussion, collaboration, and deeper learning. But that’s not the only way to do it.

Many teachers are now using an in-class flip model, where students engage with instructional content during class time, at their own pace, while the teacher provides support, feedback, and targeted instruction in the moment. This approach keeps the benefits of flipped learning without relying heavily on homework.

To make any flipped learning model work, you need the right tools.

In this post, you’ll discover 20 of the best flipped classroom tools and apps for teachers, including platforms for video lessons, interactive activities, assessment, and student collaboration.

What is a flipped classroom?

Flipped learning is an example of blended learning, a mix between traditional teaching in class and e-learning.

A flipped classroom is a teaching approach that shifts when and how students engage with new content. Instead of using class time primarily for direct instruction, students are introduced to new ideas first and then use class time to apply, discuss, and deepen their understanding.

That “first exposure” can happen in different ways:

• Traditional flip: Students engage with videos, readings, or other materials before class
  
• In-class flip: Students explore new content during class at their own pace, while the teacher supports, guides, and works with small groups
  

Both approaches share the same goal: use class time for active learning, feedback, and meaningful interaction, rather than passive listening.

👉 Want a deeper breakdown of how flipped learning works with edtech tools and classroom examples?
Read: The 5 Most Important Questions About Flipping the Classroom with Edtech

Benefits of a flipped classroom for teachers and students

A flipped classroom helps teachers make better use of class time by shifting direct instruction out of the whole-group setting and creating more space for discussion, problem-solving, and application. Instead of trying to deliver content and support students at the same time, teachers can focus on what matters most: giving feedback, working with small groups, and addressing misunderstandings as they happen. With flipped classroom tools and digital activities, it also becomes easier to see what students understand before or during class, making instruction more targeted and effective.

Flipped learning also supports a wider range of student needs. Students can engage with content at their own pace, revisit material when needed, and take more ownership of their learning. In an in-class flip model, this happens during class time, reducing reliance on homework and ensuring all students have access to support. The result is a more active, student-centered classroom where engagement increases and learning becomes more visible and meaningful.

20 Flipped classroom tools and apps for teachers

For the list below, I looked for apps that really combine forces to deliver a good flipped learning lesson. It's not just video apps I will be showing you, but apps that allow you to combine several resources such as video, text, images, links, and evaluation tools. These bring you more than just sharing a YouTube video with your students without knowing what insights they got from it.

1. BookWidgets

BookWidgets allows you to create interactive lessons that support flipped learning and student-paced instruction. With 40+ widget types, you can combine videos, questions, and activities into structured learning experiences.

One of the most effective tools for a flipped classroom is the Video Quiz, where you can embed questions directly into a video to check understanding as students watch. This helps ensure students stay engaged and gives you insight into what they understand before class or in real time.

You can also create quizzes, worksheets, games, timelines, and WebQuests, and connect them into a sequence of activities. Many widgets include automatic grading and instant feedback, so you can quickly see student results and adjust your instruction.

Share a link or assign through your LMS, and students can work independently at home or during class in an in-class flip model. All results are collected in the reporting dashboard, giving you a clear view of student progress.

BookWidgets integrates with learning management systems like Google Classroom, Canvas, Moodle, and Brightspace.

2. Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a widely used platform for organizing and delivering flipped classroom lessons. Teachers can post materials, assign activities, and manage communication in one place.

In a flipped classroom, you can share videos, readings, and interactive activities for students to complete before or during class. Assignments can include links to external tools, such as BookWidgets, so students can engage with content and demonstrate their understanding.

Google Classroom also allows you to track submissions, provide feedback, and keep all resources organized, making it easier to manage both traditional and in-class flip models.

3. Canva for Education

Canva for Education allows teachers and students to create visual content such as presentations, infographics, and short instructional videos.

In a flipped classroom, teachers can use Canva to design clear, engaging lesson materials that introduce new concepts. Students can also use it to create visual summaries or explain their understanding as part of the learning process.

👉 Looking for ready-to-use ideas? Explore these 25 free and creative Canva templates for teachers

4. PhET Interactive Simulations

PhET Interactive Simulations provides free, research-based simulations for teaching science and math concepts through exploration and inquiry. These interactive tools allow students to manipulate variables, test ideas, and see immediate results in a visual, game-like environment.

PhET is especially useful for flipped classroom lessons because it gives students a way to learn by doing, not just watching. You can assign simulations before class or use them during class in an in-class flip model, where students explore concepts at their own pace while you provide support and guidance.

These simulations work well for introducing new concepts, reinforcing understanding, or replacing labs when physical materials aren’t available. Research shows that interactive simulations like PhET can improve conceptual understanding by making abstract ideas more visible and easier to explore.

👉 See how to use PhET simulations in ready-to-use lesson ideas: 6 Inspiring Lesson Plans for Teaching STEM with Interactive Simulations

5. Padlet

Padlet is a collaborative platform where students can share ideas, questions, and resources in a visual, organized space. It allows users to post text, images, videos, and links on a shared digital board, making it easy to support real-time or asynchronous collaboration.

In a flipped classroom, Padlet can be used to extend learning beyond direct instruction. Students can respond to prompts, post reflections, or ask questions after engaging with content, whether at home or during class.

It also works well as part of an in-class flip model, where students collaborate in real time, share their thinking, and build on each other’s ideas while the teacher provides guidance and feedback.

👉 Looking for ideas? Explore
30+ creative ways to use Padlet for teachers and students

👉 Want to combine Padlet with interactive activities? See
5 reasons to app smash Padlet with BookWidgets

6. TED-Ed

TED-Ed provides short, high-quality educational videos and allows teachers to turn them into interactive lessons with questions, prompts, and discussion activities.

In a flipped classroom, TED-Ed can be used to introduce new ideas through concise videos, followed by built-in questions that encourage students to think more deeply about the content. Teachers can also customize lessons or create their own around selected videos.

This makes TED-Ed a practical option for sparking curiosity, building background knowledge, and preparing students for discussion and application during class time.

7. BrainPOP

BrainPOP provides standards-aligned videos and activities across subjects like science, math, social studies, and English. Each topic includes a short animated video paired with quizzes and follow-up activities.

In a flipped classroom, BrainPOP can be used to introduce new concepts before or during class. Students watch a focused video and then apply their understanding through built-in questions and tasks, giving you a quick view of what they understand.

This makes it a practical option for building background knowledge and supporting student-paced learning in both traditional and in-class flip models.

8. Khan Academy

Khan Academy started out with its famous YouTube videos. Now, you can just go to their website and search for a learning video about the topic you want to teach.

Choose between subjects such as Math, Science & Engineering, Computing, Arts & Humanities and Economics & Finance. By signing up, you can create a classroom, and invite your students to take some video lessons and to take a quiz afterwards.

This is really handy for flipped learning. You can even follow your students' progress from a distance. Afterwards, you can see what parts of the lesson students didn't understand, and explain it again in the classroom with some exercises as well.

9. Loom

Loom is a screen capturing software that allows you to make instructional videos. Capture your screen or your front-facing camera and narrate it all at once, then instantly share it with your students with a simple link.

When you show something and explain it, you make sure you’re understood by your students. On top of that, your communication with the students is more personal with the nuances of tone and facial expression.

Out of all the screen recording tools, Loom is very easy to use!

10. Explain Everything

With Explain Everything, you can really explain everything. It’s an educational app that enables you to make your own interactive tutorials and presentations.

The principle is simple: Explain Everything is an interactive screen casting whiteboard. This means that you can make a presentation, and record everything you are drawing and saying. Draw, add pictures, highlight and write text. You even have a nice red pointer.

Record everything you do within the Explain Everything app (even yourself when using the front-facing camera) to create high quality, creative, and meaningful content for others to learn from. You can easily make explainer and instruction videos and send them to your students. A great app for flipped learning in a flipped classroom!

11. Hippo Video

Create engaging videos with Hippo Video. Record a digital whiteboard explainer, classroom, interview through webcam or just screen record an entire web browser screen and include audio to boost student engagement.

Hippo videos can be made available anywhere and any time to all the students, a great advantage when you're flipping your classroom.

You can even record all your lectures from classroom, lecture halls, or from home, and create a learning video portal for students, which they can access from home.

Students can even use the webcam to record a video of the slideshow as they present and email it to their teachers and classmates. This tool allows students to learn at their own pace. Recording instructional videos can give students an option to watch later and saves the teachers time.

12. ScreenPal

ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic) is a screen recording tool that allows teachers to create instructional videos with voice narration.

Teachers can record lessons, demonstrations, or walkthroughs that students can watch before class or during independent work time. This supports flipped learning by making content accessible on demand.

ScreenPal is especially useful for creating short, focused explanations that students can revisit as needed, helping them learn at their own pace in both traditional and in-class flipped classroom models.

13. Edpuzzle

Edpuzzle is a video-based tool that allows teachers to add questions and comments to existing videos. It’s commonly used in flipped classroom settings to guide students through video content and check understanding.

You can embed multiple-choice or open-ended questions directly into a video, pause playback for prompts, and track whether students watched the video and how they responded. This helps teachers get a clearer picture of student understanding before or during class.

Edpuzzle is primarily focused on video instruction, making it a useful option when your flipped classroom model centers on video-based learning.

14. Nearpod

Nearpod allows teachers to create interactive lessons that combine slides, multimedia, and embedded activities in one presentation.

You can add quizzes, polls, open-ended questions, and drawing tasks directly into a lesson, helping students stay engaged while giving you real-time insight into their understanding. Nearpod also includes features like virtual field trips to support more immersive learning experiences.

Lessons can be delivered live or assigned for student-paced learning, making Nearpod a flexible option for flipped classroom use when lessons are presentation-based. As students work through the content, their responses are collected instantly, allowing you to adjust instruction and focus on areas that need support.

15. PlayPosit

PlayPosit is an online learning environment in which teachers can create and share interactive video lessons. Teachers begin with any online video they made or found (screencasts, Khan Academy, TED, etc.) and transform the passive content into an active experience for students, with time-embedded activities.

PlayPosit is designed for K-corporate, flipped, and blended environments.

16. Duolingo

Duolingo is a language learning platform that uses short, interactive exercises to help students build vocabulary and practice reading, writing, and listening skills.

In a flipped classroom, Duolingo works well for independent practice. Students can complete short lessons at their own pace, either at home or during class in an in-class flip model, while the teacher uses class time for conversation, writing, and deeper application.

Because the activities are structured in small, manageable steps, Duolingo is especially useful for reinforcing foundational skills and supporting consistent practice over time.

17. Symbaloo

Symbaloo helps you organize your web (or classroom) resources in one place. These resources are stored on a dashboard in the form of buttons. This dashboard can be set as your homepage, so you can find all the resources you need immediately. It gives you the possibility to personalize the dashboard.

For teachers, Symbaloo has a special section that gives you the possibility to create your own learning paths or lesson plans. Just share the link or classroom code with your students, and let them discover the learning path independently. You can add videos, links, BookWidgets exercises, and more to the Symbaloo tiles.

18. ShowMe

ShowMe lets you create video lessons on whiteboards where you literally show your students. You can use this tool to write, draw, talk and record your voice. You can use it with any age group because it is open ended.

Teachers can use this tool to create flipped classroom instructions, and students can use it in the classroom to explain an assignment about a certain subject they were taught at home.

19. Kiddom

Kiddom is a platform for managing curriculum, assignments, and student progress in one place. It allows teachers to organize materials, assign work, and track how students are performing over time.

In a flipped classroom, Kiddom can be used to distribute content and monitor student understanding. Teachers can see which students have completed tasks, how they responded, and where they may need additional support.

This makes it a useful option for tracking progress and supporting differentiation within a flipped or blended learning environment.

20. Poll Everywhere

This is a powerful educational tool which can be used in and outside the classroom.

Poll Everywhere is a voting system, completely reinvented! As a teacher, you have to set up a question on the web interface or smartphone app. Students can see it on their PC, tablet or mobile phone. Questions can be polls, but also open ended questions such as “give me a tip to improve my teaching”.

Students can respond by using the web app, a text message via the Poll Everywhere smartphone app, or even Twitter. You get instant audience feedback.

Another fun feature is the ability to make nice charts of the answers. You can easily get started analyzing the results.

Poll Everywhere can help the flipped classroom teacher to keep track of the educational progress of the students.

Conclusion

Flipped learning isn’t about using a single tool. It’s about combining the right tools to create more time for interaction, feedback, and deeper learning.

Whether you’re using a traditional or in-class flip model, these tools can help you design lessons that are more engaging, flexible, and effective for your students.