Why should you learn from teachers in your immediate area when you can learn from global leaders? Why cram textbooks, when there is a more immersive learning environment waiting for you?
There are new products for education every day, and it is difficult to keep up with all of them. We are passionate about learning and education, that’s why we compiled a curated list of online learning platforms and tutoring services that families can use to enhance homeschooling and remote learning.
Even though the kids have returned to their full-time schools, they still require additional support to catch up with what they have been missing out on academically.
Families and educators can utilise the below education resources and platforms in the different academic subjects and areas of learning to narrow the attainment gap so that students are less likely to fail exams and tests post-pandemic and beyond.
Disclaimer: the information provided in this post is subject to change and was correct at the time of publication. The below list has been prepared according to the number of customer reviews and ratings from higher to lower.
1. Duolingo
Website: https://www.duolingo.com/
Duolingo provides free language learning resources that are available to anyone with internet access, regardless of their socio-economic background. This accessibility ensures that individuals who may not have access to traditional language learning opportunities, such as expensive courses or private tutors, can still acquire valuable language skills.
Duolingo’s gamified learning experience makes language learning engaging and enjoyable, appealing to learners of all ages and abilities. The platform adapts to your learning style and improves quickly as you progress. According to a study, 34 hours of Duolingo are proven to be as effective as a semester at a university. Duolingo also offers language teachers to add students, share activities with them and track their progress.
Overall, Duolingo’s free, gamified, and personalised approach to language learning contributes significantly to narrowing the attainment gap in the UK by providing accessible, engaging, and effective language education to learners from diverse backgrounds.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars with 23.1M reviews on Google Play.
Cost: Free
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 2.2M Followers
- Instagram: 2.7M Followers
- Twitter: 846.6K Followers
- YouTube: 3.11M Subscribers
You can learn more about it here: “How to prepare for English tests with popular free language-learning apps”.
2. Kahoot! 
Website: https://kahoot.com/
Learning maths through gamification is very effective. Kahoot is a game-based learning platform that has nearly 40 million monthly active users. The platform makes it easy for maths teachers and tutors to create, discover, play, and share gamified lessons for all ages. Deemed a powerful pedagogical experience, Kahoot is easy to use even for teachers with no tech knowledge. It also lets you create online video courses and tests with multiple-choice answers.
By making learning fun and interactive, Kahoot encourages active participation and engagement among students, thereby enhancing their understanding and retention of educational content. Through features like team-based challenges and group discussions, Kahoot encourages students to work together to solve problems and achieve shared learning goals.
Ratings and Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars with 694K reviews on Google Play
Cost: The basic plan for students is at £4.99/m, the premium plan is at £9.99/m and the max plan is at £11.99/m.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 61K Followers
- Instagram: 95.2K Followers
- Twitter: 148.6K Followers
- LinkedIn: 150K Followers
3. edX
Website: https://www.edx.org/
Deemed the best place to learn about technology, edX provides thousands of courses in various streams of technology. The catalogue consists of “verified” courses from top universities around the world like Princeton, Harvard, and MIT. Most courses are self-paced and align with the latest syllabi. You can also get a verified certificate for a nominal price on completion of the course requirements. Learning via edX is fun and interactive with live forums, video lectures, examinations, and peer-to-peer collaboration.
Under the leadership of CEO Paul Lalljie and Chief Academic Officer Anant Agarwal, edX facilitates access to affordable and career-relevant learning opportunities for millions of individuals. By leveraging technology and innovation, edX connects learners worldwide with high-quality educational resources and courses. Through their platform, learners can acquire valuable skills and knowledge to advance their careers and achieve personal and professional growth. With a focus on accessibility and relevance, edX plays a crucial role in expanding educational opportunities and reducing global learning barriers for learners.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars with 104K reviews on Google Play
Cost: Free.
Social Presence:
4. Khan Academy
Website: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Khan Academy is a free and non-profit organisation to provide a world-class education to everyone. Khan Academy is used in more than 190 countries with over 115 million registered users and nearly 20 million learners per month.
The content is created by experts and the lessons align with the K-12 standard curriculum. The platform gives teachers the ability to identify gaps in students’ understanding, tailor instructions, and personalise their learning. The platform has a section for SEN education and information too.
Apart from covering all academic curricular subjects they also cover life skills like growth mindset and personal finance and provide career guidance. On the Khan Academy Kids YouTube channel with daily circle times primary school children can find engaging stories and more.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars with 164K reviews on Google Play
Cost: Free
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 1.6M Followers
- Instagram: 283K Followers
- Twitter: 790.8K Followers
- YouTube: 8.35M Subscribers
5. British Council
Website: https://www.britishcouncil.org/
The British Council in the UK plays a pivotal role in reducing the attainment gap through a multifaceted approach. It facilitates international education programs, fostering cultural exchange and providing students with opportunities to access resources and broaden their horizons. These programs enrich students’ educational experiences, promoting global awareness and understanding that can enhance academic attainment.
The British Council is the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to learning English. The LearnEnglish Kids platform supports students to practise English at home with online games, quizzes, and activities. The world’s English-teaching experts also have articles and videos for parents to aid their children in learning English, which is suitable for multilingual children with English as an additional language (EAL).
Ratings and Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars with 40.4K reviews on Google Play
Cost: Free.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 2.4M Followers
- Instagram: 230K Followers
- Twitter: 302.7K Followers
- LinkedIn: 865K Followers
- YouTube: 126K Subscribers
6. Busuu
Website: https://www.busuu.com/
Busuu, a leading language-learning platform, is making significant strides in reducing the attainment gap in the UK through its innovative approach to education. One of its key contributions lies in democratising access to language learning, particularly for individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Moreover, Busuu’s community aspect fosters collaboration and cultural exchange, enabling learners to connect with peers and native speakers from around the world. These connections can lead to valuable networking opportunities and cross-cultural understanding, further enhancing learners’ socio-economic mobility.
Busuu makes learning languages efficient via 100 lessons created by expert linguists. It uses machine learning (ML) technology for speech recognition and personalising study plans. You can also get instant feedback or written and spoken lessons from native speakers. You can self-pace the learning on your desktop or your phone with the mobile app.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars with 16K reviews on Trustpilot.
Cost: £4.99/month for the 12-month premium plan.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 2.2M Followers
- Twitter: 38.5K Followers
- YouTube: 54.1K Followers
- Instagram: 138K Followers
7. Course Hero
Website: https://www.coursehero.com/
Unlike some other tutoring companies in this field, Course Hero offers subject matter experts who do not necessarily have a degree in education or are licensed teachers the opportunity to share their expert knowledge online. This is perfect for programmers and coders who have outstanding skills and want to share them with students in middle school or who are already at a post-graduation level.
Apart from computer science, students can also study subjects like Mathematics, Statistics, Physical Sciences, Accountancy, Economics, Management Studies, and several more.
Course Hero in the UK can aid students with supplementary resources to deepen their understanding and enhance academic performance. Additionally, it supports educators by providing tools for lesson planning and collaboration, thus contributing to the quality of education. By promoting lifelong learning and facilitating knowledge sharing, Course Hero plays a role in fostering a more informed and educated society in the UK.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars with 14.3K reviews on Google Play
Cost: Free.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 243K Followers
- Instagram: 23.3K Followers
- Twitter: 9.6K Followers
- LinkedIn: 82K Followers
- YouTube: 500K Subscribers
8. Matific
Website: https://www.matific.com/
Matific is a collection of online mathematics activities suitable for K-6 students aligned to their local curriculum, it enables problem-solving and critical thinking through discovery and is academically proven to improve test scores and reduce anxiety in maths learning. Students can use the maths activities at school and home, but they can also get access to a personalised digital path where the activities are automatically adjusted to their maths learning levels.
Through its adaptive learning technology, Matific offers personalised maths activities and games that adapt to each student’s skill level and learning pace. This personalised approach ensures that students receive targeted support and practice in areas where they may be struggling, ultimately improving their maths proficiency and confidence. By making maths learning fun, accessible, and effective, Matific helps bridge the attainment gap by empowering students to develop essential numeracy skills and succeed academically.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars with 10.6K reviews on Google Play.
Cost: Free trial available. Course fees start from £4.92 per month for the yearly plan.
Social Presence:
9. Lingoda
Website: https://www.lingoda.com/
Lingoda is an innovative online language-learning platform founded in 2013 by brothers Fabian and Felix Wunderlich. It offers live, interactive classes in English, German, Spanish, and French, taught by native-speaking teachers. Lingoda’s flexible and immersive approach allows students to join classes 24/7 from anywhere in the world, making it accessible to a global audience.
One of Lingoda’s standout features is its structured curriculum, designed to cater to all proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced. The platform provides personalised learning paths, ensuring that each student’s specific needs and goals are met. Additionally, Lingoda offers small group classes and private lessons, fostering a more engaging and effective learning environment. Its affordability and flexible scheduling remove common barriers such as geographical location, time constraints, and financial limitations.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars with 4.9K reviews on Trustpilot.
Cost: A free trial is available for 7 days. The pricing for learning the German language starts from £159 per month.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 162K Followers
- Instagram: 146K Followers
- Twitter: 26.5K Followers
- Linkedin: 33K Followers
- YouTube: 23.4K Followers
10. Code.org
Website: https://code.org/
The platform has been rated the best free online platform for learning computer science. It has a wide array of coding resources for K-12 students categorised by subjects. If you’re looking to begin computer coding and programming, this platform is pretty good for beginners, but it also offers advanced coding programs.
One of the key ways Code.org helps narrow the attainment gap is by offering engaging and accessible curriculum materials that make learning computer science fun and approachable for students. Their curriculum is designed to be inclusive and adaptable, catering to diverse learning styles and abilities. By providing free access to high-quality resources, Code.org ensures that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background or prior experience with technology, have the opportunity to learn essential computational thinking skills.
Code.org inspires students around the world and has 1.6 million experienced teachers. The platform is also available in 67 languages and 180+ countries and offers an “hour of code” for students who simply want to familiarise themselves with coding and programming. By providing free resources, curriculum, and support for educators, Code.org empowers students from all backgrounds to develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world, ultimately fostering greater equity and opportunity in education and beyond.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars with 4.1K reviews on Facebook.
Cost: Free.
Social Presence:
11. Minecraft Education Edition
Website: https://education.minecraft.net/en-us
Minecraft Education Edition has extended free resources to assist educators, students, and their families to explore immersive virtual worlds, and participate in fun challenges and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning and it teaches problem-solving and coding mainly with programming language Python. You can download Minecraft Education Edition on Mac, iPad, Windows, Chromebook, and Android devices, and access a wide array of educational content.
If you’re looking for ready-to-use ideas and lesson plans, you can browse the Education Category at Minecraft Marketplace or you can read more about it here.
Ratings and Reviews: 3.8 out of 5 stars with 3.6K reviews on App Store.
Cost: The cost of Minecraft Education is $5.04 per user per year for eligible educational institutions, or $12 per user per year for those not eligible. For precise pricing including local currency and tax details, IT Admins can visit admin.microsoft.com and add Minecraft Education licences to their cart..
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 64K Followers
- Twitter: 123.5K Followers
- Linkedin: K Followers
- Youtube: 136K Subscribers
- Pinterest: 11.4K Followers
12. Twinkl
Website: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/
Twinkl offers a wide range of resources and materials for teachers, parents, and students. It provides an extensive library of teaching materials, including lesson plans, worksheets, interactive activities, and printable resources, covering various subjects and grade levels.
By providing tools and support to address the unique needs of every learner, Twinkl helps create more equitable opportunities for academic success and educational attainment. The platform also provides educational games and activities to make learning fun for children. Twinkl is also making exciting strides in AR education material to augment immersive learning.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars with 1.2K reviews on Trustpilot.
Cost: The pricing options for the service are as follows: Ultimate provides full access starting from £8.49 per month, free teaching resources are also available.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 413K Followers
- Instagram: 144K Followers
- Twitter: 62.4K Followers
- LinkedIn: 110K Followers
- YouTube: 45.9K Subscribers
13. Math Make Smart
Website: https://mathmakesmart.com/
Math Make Smart Ltd is a professional UK-based online tutoring platform dedicated to delivering international standard education to students worldwide. Their ambition is to demonstrate that online tutoring can be more productive than traditional in-person tutoring. By offering a free trial class, they invite prospective students to experience their innovative approach firsthand and make an informed decision about continuing their educational journey with Math Make Smart Ltd.
Math Make Smart Ltd is committed to providing top-notch educational services that cater to diverse learning needs, making high-quality tutoring accessible to everyone. Striving to play a pivotal role in the world of online tutoring, Math Make Smart Ltd aspires to become a leading community for societal development. They aim to foster a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society through education.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars with 187 reviews on Trustpilot.
Cost: Price starts from £110/Month for the age group of 1-4. Free trial class is available.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 9K Followers
- Instagram: 1.1K Followers
- Twitter: 1K Followers
- LinkedIn: 369 Followers
- YouTube: 33 Subscribers
- Pinterest: 66 Followers
14. Code Week
Website: https://codeweek.eu/
Code Week aims to bring digital literacy to everyone at the grassroots level in an engaging way. People with little or no coding skills can get started with easy toolkits, learning material, lessons, and activities. EU Code Week promotes inclusivity and diversity in coding education. Events and activities organised during Code Week are designed to be accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience.
The courses are available in all EU languages across 180 countries. On top of that, the platform provides a list of online resources to learn and teach coding from home and for teachers. EU Code Week plays a vital role in promoting coding and digital literacy across Europe, contributing to the development of essential skills for the future and fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and lifelong learning.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars with 62 reviews on Trustpilot.
Cost: Free.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 31K Followers
- Instagram: 5.4K Followers
- Twitter: 15.8K Followers
- LinkedIn: 2K Followers
- YouTube: 3.41K Subscribers
15. Learn4Life
Website: https://learn4life.org/
Learn4Life provides a learning opportunity for students who are from more deprived sections of society by providing online maths tutoring with specialist maths teachers. Tutors have the responsibility of mentoring the students and providing them and their parents with updates by phone, email, and messaging services.
The organisation offers a free and innovative approach to education, catering to students who struggle within the traditional high school model due to various reasons such as work commitments, teenage parenthood, family caregiving responsibilities, or a desire for a non-traditional learning environment. Through personalised learning initiatives, Learn4Life empowers students to succeed by tailoring educational programs to their unique circumstances and needs. By providing flexibility and support, Learn4Life helps bridge the gap for students who may otherwise face obstacles in obtaining their high school diploma and achieving life success.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars with 55 reviews on Facebook.
Cost: They are a nonprofit and state-funded organisation, allowing students to participate in these programmes free of charge.
Social Presence:
- Facebook: 4.2K Followers
- Instagram: 2.5K Followers
- Twitter: 840 Followers
- LinkedIn: 4K Followers
- YouTube: 613 Subscribers
16. ClubZ Tutoring
Website: https://clubztutoring.com/
ClubZ Tutoring finds the right match between the student and the tutor. Answer a few questions about your subjects, schedule, location, and availability to find expert teachers. You can video chat with the tutors and check their certificates and credentials before finalising them.
By offering in-home and online tutoring options, Club Z ensures accessibility for students across various locations and circumstances. Through its focus on one-on-one instruction and personalised learning plans, Club Z contributes to the educational advancement and success of students, thus benefiting society as a whole. By addressing learning gaps early on, Club Z! helps prevent students from falling behind academically and supports their overall academic development.
Ratings and Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars with 17 reviews on Yelp.
Cost: Free.
Social Presence:
In a world overflowing with innovative educational resources and platforms, the possibilities for enriching learning experiences are limitless. Why limit oneself to traditional textbooks and local instructors when global education leaders are just a click away? The curated list of online learning platforms and tutoring services presented here opens doors to a universe of knowledge, offering tailored solutions that cater to diverse learning styles and needs.
As we navigate the evolving landscape of education, let us embrace the transformative power of technology and innovation to bridge the attainment gap. By harnessing these cutting-edge tools and platforms, families, educators, and learners can chart a course towards academic success and lifelong learning. Together, let’s embrace the digital era of education and embark on a journey of discovery, empowerment, and limitless possibilities.
What To Do Next?
The list is full of various platforms for online learning, online teaching and online tutoring. We understand that you’re spoilt for choice. So how do you choose which one is best? Every student, tutor and teacher is unique and requires a different approach, hence it’s all about finding the right platform and service that serves your purpose best.
Find more fun and free online games and online teaching and tutoring platforms on the UK Education Blog and be smart about which online learning, teaching and tutoring resources you use.
If you want us to add a suggestion here based on your experience, please get in touch with us!
Author Profile
- Editor in Chief
- Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Contributor to many Education, Business & Lifestyle Blogs in the United Kingdom & Germany | Summer Course Student at the London School of Journalism and Course Instructor at the SeekaHost University.
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