fbpx

Top Free Online Teaching Platform for Educators

Discover our free online teaching platform that boosts classroom engagement. Click for dynamic tools & strategies!

Top Free Online Teaching Platform for Educators

Elevate Your Teaching With These Free Online Platforms

The world of education is constantly changing, and so are the tools we use to teach. In 2025, online teaching platforms are more important than ever for expanding your reach and sharing your knowledge. As a Shopify or arts and crafts business owner, you might want to educate your customers, foster a community, or offer enriching workshops. But how can you select the right platform for your online teaching goals without breaking the bank?

Choosing the perfect platform requires careful consideration of key factors. Does it integrate smoothly with your current tools? Can you easily manage student interactions and monitor their progress? Does it offer features like interactive quizzes, video integration, or downloadable resources? An effective online teaching platform should be free, user-friendly, reliable, and flexible enough for engaging content tailored to your needs. Keep in mind, some free platforms may have limited features or usage restrictions. Understanding these limitations is vital.

This article explores the top 10 free online teaching platforms perfect for Shopify and arts and crafts business owners in 2025. We’ll examine the strengths of each platform, focusing on unique features and addressing any technical aspects.

Key Features to Look For

When choosing a free online teaching platform, consider these crucial factors:

By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of the available options, enabling you to choose the ideal free platform to enhance your teaching and boost your business.

1. Google Classroom

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a completely free and remarkably user-friendly platform. It's ideal for online educators, particularly those already working within the Google ecosystem. For Shopify store owners and arts and crafts business owners hosting online workshops, tutorials, or courses, Google Classroom offers a simple and effective learning management solution without the financial burden. Think about easily sharing downloadable PDF patterns, giving feedback on student projects within Google Docs, or holding live Q&A sessions using Google Meet.

Google Classroom streamlines the creation, distribution, and grading of assignments, simplifying file sharing between instructors and students. This is achieved through its seamless integration with other Google services like Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, and Google Calendar. It acts as a central hub for all your teaching resources and communication needs.

Key Features of Google Classroom

Pros of Using Google Classroom

Cons of Using Google Classroom

For Shopify store owners showcasing new product features or arts and crafts business owners demonstrating a new technique, Google Classroom provides a straightforward way to engage with your audience. Share video tutorials through Google Drive, collect assignments, and provide personalized feedback, all within the familiar Google interface. Check out Key Tools for Online Educators for more information on using online educational tools.

Getting Started with Google Classroom

  1. Sign in with your Google account.
  2. Create a class.
  3. Add students (by email invitation or a unique class code).
  4. Begin creating and sharing assignments.

Website: https://classroom.google.com/

2. Moodle

Moodle is a free and open-source learning management system (LMS) ideal for building online courses. While its robust feature set might seem overwhelming for some Shopify or arts and crafts business owners, its flexibility makes it a powerful tool for those wanting to develop a comprehensive educational platform. Think beyond simple product tutorials and consider developing in-depth courses, membership communities, or ongoing training programs.

What sets Moodle apart? Unlike simpler platforms focused solely on content delivery, Moodle emphasizes pedagogical principles, meaning it's designed for effective teaching and learning. This is a great option for businesses that want customers to deeply understand their products and services.

Features for Shopify and Arts & Crafts Businesses

Pros

Cons

Implementation Tips

Pricing: Free (software). Hosting costs vary.

Website: Moodle

Moodle deserves a spot on this list due to its powerful and flexible platform for comprehensive online learning. While it requires a greater initial time investment, the robust features and customization options make it valuable for businesses looking to build a thriving online community. While simpler platforms might work for basic tutorials, Moodle empowers you to create impactful learning experiences that increase customer engagement and build brand loyalty.

3. Edmodo

Edmodo is a free online teaching platform designed to connect teachers and students. While geared towards K-12, its features can be surprisingly helpful for Shopify store owners and arts and crafts businesses creating online courses or workshops. Imagine offering a free macrame course to boost macrame supply sales, or a paid pottery glazing workshop for your ceramic customers. Edmodo can help you achieve these goals.

How Edmodo Can Benefit Your Business

Features

Pros

Cons

Pricing

Free for core features, with varying prices for premium features.

Technical Requirements

Internet access and a web browser or the Edmodo mobile app.

Why Edmodo Makes the List

Edmodo offers a simple, free way to create and deliver educational content. While a full LMS may be excessive for some small businesses, Edmodo strikes a user-friendly balance between a social media group and a complex learning platform. Its tools provide valuable opportunities to engage customers, build loyalty, and drive sales.

Implementation Tip

Start with a small, free course to test the platform and understand Edmodo's features. This allows you to evaluate its suitability for your business needs before paying for premium features.

Website

https://new.edmodo.com/

4. Canvas LMS

Canvas LMS

Developed by Instructure, Canvas LMS is a robust learning management system (LMS) widely used by educational institutions. While its institutional offerings are well-known, Canvas also provides a free version for individual teachers. This makes it a valuable resource for Shopify store owners and arts and crafts businesses looking to create online courses or workshops.

Whether teaching crafting techniques, demonstrating product usage, or offering training related to your Shopify store, Canvas can help organize your online teaching efforts. Its free tier offers a powerful set of tools for course creation, assignment management, and student interaction.

You can build structured learning paths, deliver quizzes and assignments, track student progress, and facilitate communication – all within a single platform. Features like SpeedGrader enable efficient assessment of student work. Built-in calendar and scheduling tools help keep everyone organized.

Features and Benefits

Here's a closer look at what Canvas offers:

Pros and Cons

Like any platform, Canvas has its strengths and weaknesses:

Pros:

Cons:

Pricing and Technical Requirements

Canvas is free for individual teachers, with paid institutional plans available. The technical requirements are minimal: a computer or mobile device with internet access.

Comparison and Implementation Tips

Compared to platforms like Google Classroom, Canvas offers a more comprehensive set of tools, particularly in its free version. This makes it well-suited for complex learning scenarios.

To get started, explore the free resources and tutorials on the Canvas website. Familiarizing yourself with the platform’s interface and core functions is a great first step.

Website: https://www.instructure.com/canvas/try-canvas

5. Schoology: Bringing The Classroom Online

Schoology

Schoology is a robust and versatile learning management system (LMS). It's ideal for Shopify store owners and arts and crafts business owners wanting to create and deliver online courses or workshops. Whether teaching a new crafting technique, demonstrating product usage, or building a community, Schoology provides the tools to manage online educational content effectively.

Schoology's familiar social media-like interface makes it easy to use for both instructors and students. The platform allows you to create structured learning experiences. Features include course creation tools, assessment and grading systems, and detailed learning analytics. Think of it as your central hub for creating, delivering, and tracking the success of your online teaching.

How Shopify & Arts/Crafts Businesses Can Use Schoology

Features and Benefits

Pros and Cons

Here's a quick overview of the advantages and disadvantages:

Pros Cons
Intuitive, social media-like interface Advanced features require a paid institutional subscription
Robust communication tools Mobile app can have performance issues
Excellent resource organization Limited customization in the free version
Free basic version for individual teachers Some features have a learning curve

Pricing and Technical Requirements

Schoology has a free basic plan for individual teachers. Paid subscriptions unlock advanced features and institutional licenses. Check their website for detailed pricing. A stable internet connection and a modern web browser are all you need to access Schoology.

Implementation Tips

Website: https://www.schoology.com/

Schoology is a user-friendly platform for online teaching. Whether you're a Shopify store owner demonstrating products or a crafts business owner sharing expertise, its features, interface, and free basic plan make it a valuable resource for building an online learning community.

6. Khan Academy

Khan Academy

Khan Academy stands out for its impressive collection of free, high-quality educational resources. This makes it a truly valuable asset for Shopify store owners and arts and crafts business owners alike. Whether you're looking to improve your own skills or provide training for employees, Khan Academy can help. While not a full-fledged Learning Management System (LMS), its focused, mastery-based approach can be incredibly effective.

Khan Academy is a non-profit offering a wealth of educational resources, primarily focused on math and science. It also branches into humanities, economics, and computing. While it might not be the first platform business owners consider, it offers practical applications. It's particularly useful for strengthening those all-important foundational skills.

Practical Applications For Business Owners

Here's how Khan Academy can make a difference:

Features and Benefits of Khan Academy

Khan Academy offers a range of useful features:

Pros:

Cons:

Website: https://www.khanacademy.org/

Technical Requirements: Internet access and a web browser.

Implementation Tips

While platforms like Coursera or Skillshare offer more business-specific courses (often at a cost), Khan Academy's free, high-quality foundational learning makes it an invaluable supplementary tool. It’s especially beneficial for bootstrapped businesses or those wanting to strengthen core skills.

7. Nearpod

Nearpod

Nearpod is a valuable tool for engaging online teaching. Shopify store owners and arts and crafts business owners can use it to connect with their audience and train teams creatively. Imagine turning a typical product demo into a captivating interactive experience. Or picture onboarding new employees with a virtual tour of your workshop. Nearpod makes these scenarios possible.

Nearpod is an interactive classroom tool for creating engaging lessons, collaborative activities, and formative assessments. It moves beyond static presentations, embracing dynamic learning. Think quizzes, polls, videos, collaborative boards, and even virtual reality field trips. This platform allows you to actively involve your audience, whether they are customers or team members.

Real-World Applications

A Shopify store owner could use Nearpod to create an interactive lesson about a new skincare line. Quizzes could test product knowledge, and polls could gather customer preferences. An arts and crafts business owner might lead a virtual workshop using the collaborative board feature for real-time feedback.

Nearpod offers a free basic plan to get started and explore core features. However, the free version has limited storage and feature access. A paid subscription unlocks expanded storage and premium features like virtual reality field trips and advanced reporting. For more insights on maximizing engagement, check out this article on The Role of Interactive Media in Online Courses.

Technical Requirements and Considerations

Nearpod’s technical requirements are minimal, working across multiple devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones). However, some interactive features might perform better on tablets due to screen size and processing power. Bandwidth is another important factor, especially when using videos and virtual reality elements.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

Website: Nearpod

Using Nearpod's interactive capabilities, businesses can create immersive and engaging online training experiences. This leads to better knowledge retention, improved learning outcomes, and a more effective way to connect with your audience. Ultimately, Nearpod can help you achieve your business goals.

8. ClassDojo

ClassDojo

ClassDojo stands out as a helpful tool for Shopify store owners and arts and crafts business owners teaching online workshops. This is especially true for those targeting a younger demographic. While not a full-fledged Learning Management System (LMS) like some other platforms, ClassDojo excels at building community and simplifying communication. These features are key for student engagement and retention.

ClassDojo is primarily a school communication platform designed to connect teachers, students, and parents. It acts as a central hub for the digital classroom. Though geared toward traditional classrooms, its features work well for online teaching, particularly for the visual and interactive learning experiences common in arts and crafts.

How Shopify & Arts/Crafts Business Owners Can Use ClassDojo

Here are several ways ClassDojo can benefit your online teaching business:

Features

ClassDojo offers several key features:

Pros

Cons

Comparison With Similar Tools

While ClassDojo focuses on communication and community, platforms like Google Classroom and Moodle offer more comprehensive LMS features. Choose ClassDojo if community building and engaging younger learners are your priorities.

Implementation Tips

Website: https://www.classdojo.com/

9. Loom For Education

Loom for Education

Loom for Education is a user-friendly tool for crafting compelling video content, especially for asynchronous learning environments. While not a full learning management system (LMS) like Moodle, its free Pro features for educators make it a valuable supplemental resource for Shopify store owners and arts and crafts business owners alike. Imagine producing high-quality instructional videos without needing specialized software or expensive equipment. That’s the convenience Loom offers.

For Shopify store owners, Loom can be incredibly helpful. Create tutorials showcasing new product features, demonstrating crafting techniques, or clarifying store policies. Show customers how to use your latest gadget, put together a DIY kit, or care for a handmade item. Concise, engaging videos add value for customers and can minimize customer service inquiries.

Arts and crafts business owners can use Loom to host online workshops, demonstrate intricate techniques, or provide personalized student feedback. Build a library of helpful how-to videos. Sharing the detailed steps of a complex weaving pattern or the proper use of a specific pottery tool becomes simple and engaging with Loom's screen recording and webcam features.

Key Features And Benefits

Pros

Cons

Implementation Tips

Website: Loom for Education

Loom for Education is a great way for Shopify and arts and crafts business owners to create and share engaging video content without a steep learning curve. While it won't replace a full online learning platform, its ease of use and powerful features make it a valuable tool for enhancing your online presence.

10. Quizlet

Quizlet is a popular learning platform known for its engaging study tools. While it’s often associated with students, its versatility makes it a valuable asset for various learning contexts, including businesses like Shopify stores and arts and crafts ventures. Think outside the traditional classroom and imagine easily training your team, creating interactive tutorials, or even building a community around shared knowledge.

How Shopify and Arts & Crafts Businesses Can Use Quizlet

Features of Quizlet

Pros of Using Quizlet

Cons of Using Quizlet

Pricing and Technical Requirements

Pricing: Free for basic features; paid Teacher subscriptions are available for enhanced features.

Technical Requirements: Internet access and a web browser or the Quizlet mobile app.

Quizlet’s user-friendly interface, engaging format, and accessibility make it a valuable tool. While not a comprehensive teaching platform on its own, its versatility allows creative applications for training and educational purposes for both Shopify and arts & crafts businesses. It’s a powerful way to reinforce knowledge and build community in an accessible and enjoyable format.

Free Online Teaching Platforms: Quick Comparison

Platform Notable Features ★ UX & Support 🏆 Pricing & Value 💰 Target Audience 👥 Unique Aspects ✨
Google Classroom Assignment management, G Suite integration Intuitive, accessible Free K-12 educators, schools Seamless Google ecosystem integration
Moodle Customizable courses, advanced quizzes Flexible yet steeper learning curve Free (hosting may apply) Institutions, educators Open source flexibility
Edmodo Social media-style, resource sharing Engaging, collaborative Free with premium options K-12 teachers and parents Strong parent-teacher communication
Canvas LMS Robust course creation and SpeedGrader Modern, user-friendly Free basic version; Paid tiers Educators, institutions Comprehensive, all-in-one toolset
Schoology Course creation, assessment tools User-friendly with community feel Free basic / Premium options Schools, districts, teachers Social learning integration
Khan Academy Vast video library, mastery-based learning High-quality, self-paced Completely Free Students, self-learners Extensive, globally accessible content
Nearpod Interactive lessons, VR field trips Highly engaging, real-time feedback Free basic; Subscription plan K-12 educators Real-time interactivity and immersive learning experiences
ClassDojo Behavior management, digital portfolios Simple, kid-friendly Free Elementary educators, parents Focus on community and classroom bonding
Loom for Education Video messaging, screen recording Easy, efficient content delivery Free Pro for verified educators Educators producing video Asynchronous video communication with editing and analytics
Quizlet Flashcards, varied study modes Engaging, gamified interface Free core; Paid teacher upgrades Students, educators Gamified study experience with extensive content library

Choosing the Right Free Online Teaching Platform

The right free online teaching platform can significantly improve your teaching and help you create dynamic, engaging lessons. Whether your priority is easy integration with your current tools, interactive features, or robust communication, a free platform exists to meet your needs.

When choosing among free platforms like Google Classroom, Moodle, Edmodo, Canvas LMS, Schoology, Khan Academy, Nearpod, ClassDojo, Loom for Education, and Quizlet, consider these factors:

Key Takeaways

If you own a Shopify store and need a deeply integrated solution to sell digital courses and products without managing multiple platforms, Tevello might be the ideal solution. Stop juggling separate systems and start leveraging a unified platform designed for Shopify. Streamline your operations, enhance customer experience, and boost sales with Tevello’s integrated courses, communities, and automated workflows. Take your Shopify store to the next level. Visit Tevello today and discover how to create a thriving online learning and selling ecosystem within your existing storefront.