A decade-old “Ed Tech Digest” column continues with this week’s picks, including FlashDrop for sharing large files, Mock Social for creating fake text chats, Forty News for “today in history,” and MyTaxReceipt for showing how U.S. federal taxes are spent—plus
For anyone trying to keep up with learning tech, the backlog never really disappears—so one long-running habit has stuck. Ten years ago. an editor began an occasional “Ed Tech Digest” series aimed at sharing three or four links that feel particularly useful in education technology. with an emphasis on tools that can work in classrooms and for self-directed learning.
This week’s set of choices starts with FlashDrop, a free service for sharing large files. It’s being added to “THE BEST TOOLS FOR SENDING LARGE FILES.”
Mock Social follows. The tool lets users create fake text chats, and it’s being added to “The Best Tools For Creating Fake ‘Stuff’ For Learning.”
Then there’s Forty News, which tells you about major events that took place on each day forty years ago. It’s being added to “The Best ‘Today In History’ Sites.”
The digest also includes a set of picks from Recommendo, beginning with MyTaxReceipt. The site shows a breakdown of how U.S. federal taxes get spent: users enter their Zip code and the amount they paid in Federal taxes. or they can use the default average for their Zip code. It generates a receipt-style summary that includes what portion goes to defense. healthcare. interest on debt. and dozens of other categories—turning broad policy talk into dollar amounts. The site also lets users message Congress about their spending priorities with one click. and it’s being added to “The Best Sites For Learning About Taxes.”.
Rounding out the list is DeskCap, a free screen recorder. It’s being added to “The Best Tools For Making Screencasts.”
Taken together, the selections aren’t just new bookmarks. They point to the same practical thread the digest has held for a decade: small tools—file sharing, screen capture, simulations, and everyday reference sites—made easier to reach when learning needs something quick and usable.
Ed Tech Digest FlashDrop Mock Social Forty News MyTaxReceipt DeskCap edtech tools learning websites taxes education screen recorder
FlashDrop sounds like something for dodging limits? Like sending big videos without getting caught lol. Not sure why they’re calling it education though.
Wait so Mock Social is for making fake text chats… but isn’t that the kind of thing that gets kids in trouble? I guess for learning?? Kinda confused.
Forty News “today in history” 40 years ago? So like it only goes back to 1984? That seems random, I thought it was just general history. Also the tax site message Congress one click… does that actually do anything or just sends your email to a robot?
MyTaxReceipt breaking down defense/healthcare etc by zip code is neat but also scary like wow we really pay all that interest on debt. I don’t even know my zip income rules so I’m probably doing it wrong. Still, screen recorder DeskCap sounds useful for like explaining stuff to your teachers??