Free Educational Resources for Teachers to Enhance Virtual Learning

Let’s face it—teaching online is tough. The distractions are endless, engagement is unpredictable, and finding the right resources is? That’s a whole other battle. When I first transitioned to virtual teaching, I spent hours searching for lesson plans, videos, and interactive tools—most of which were either too expensive or didn’t suit my class.

But here’s the thing: there’s a massive pool of free educational resources that not only simplify your life but also make your virtual classroom more interactive, efficient, and dare I say, fun. You just have to know where to look.

1. Open Educational Resources (OER) Libraries

I stumbled upon OER Commons while browsing Reddit threads on free curriculum tools. Total game-changer. It offers free lesson plans, activities, and complete courses in almost every subject. Think of it as your virtual curriculum co-planner.

Other great ones:

• OER Commons
  OpenStax – Free textbooks for high school and college
  Curriki – Multimedia-rich resources, beneficial for STEM subjects
   

2. Interactive Learning Platforms

Some kids just don’t respond to passive lessons. That’s where tools like Kahoot!, Quizizz, and Blooket shine. You’re turning quizzes into games—and your students don’t even realize they’re learning.

For younger kids? Try Starfall or PBS LearningMedia. For older ones? Edpuzzle lets you add quizzes into YouTube videos. It’s like magic.

And if you're looking to create customized practice quizzes and full-length mock exams based on your lessons, PrepareBuddy’s Custom Exam Tool is a must-try. You can select topics, difficulty levels, and even create shareable links for students—no logins required.

3. Video Libraries with Built-In Engagement

Let’s be real—there are days when you don’t have the bandwidth to be “on” for an hour-long Zoom session. Instead, curate high-quality video content.

Top picks:

• Khan Academy: Great for math, science, SAT prep.
• Crash Course on YouTube: Short, funny, and engaging.
• Ted-Ed: Well-produced videos with supplemental materials.

Pair these with reflection questions and you've got a solid asynchronous lesson.

4. Virtual Lab Tools and Simulations

Teaching science without a lab? Brutal. But platforms like PhET and ExploreLearning Gizmos allow students to simulate experiments in a super visual, hands-on way. They’re free and intuitive.

5. Lesson Planning and Collaboration Tools

Tired of starting from scratch every week? Teachers Pay Teachers has free downloads if you sort by price. Or use Planboard to map out your lessons online. Even Google Docs and Slides go a long way when shared across grade teams.

Also, tools like PrepareBuddy can help you map out not just lessons but also personalized tests and revision materials—automated and ready to share.

6. Classroom Management and Communication

Keeping students (and parents) on track is a different kind of skill online. Tools like ClassDojo and Remind help you communicate and manage your class behaviorally without sounding like a drill sergeant.

And yes, Google Classroom might seem basic, but if used right, it can become the hub of your virtual class.

7. Mental Health and Social-Emotional Learning Resources

Let’s not forget the emotional toll of virtual learning on you and your students. Sites like Common Sense Education and SELspace offer free activities and strategies to support emotional well-being.

One Reddit teacher said they start every Monday with a "how are we really doing?" check-in using free templates from Greater Good in Education. It sounds small, but it makes a big difference.

What’s the Catch?

Most teachers assume “free” means low quality. However, many of these tools are free due to nonprofit support or freemium models. If you dig around, you’ll find the unpaid versions more than sufficient.

Another tip: Join Facebook groups or Reddit subs like r/Teachers or r/EdTech. You’ll find hidden gems shared by real educators dealing with the same challenges.

Read - How I Passed My Exam Using Only Free Educational Resources

Final Thoughts

The shift to online teaching has been messy. But it’s also opened doors to resources we probably wouldn’t have explored otherwise. With the right mix of tools—and a little curiosity—you can build a virtual classroom that’s not just functional, but inspiring.

Got a favorite free resource that’s not on this list? Drop it in the comments or share it with us on PrepareBuddy. Let’s build this community of teachers helping teachers.

Also, if you're looking for a smarter way to create and manage exams or share practice tests with your students, check out PrepareBuddy's Custom Exam Tool. It’s free, flexible, and ridiculously easy to use.