CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 vs ExploreLearning Gizmos

CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 provides customizable digital textbooks for K–12 subjects including science, math, and social studies. Lessons can combine text with PLIX interactives, simulations, adaptive practice, and related learning materials. Adaptive Practice draws questions from a library of more than 150,000 and adjusts selections based on student answers. Teachers can assign lessons, videos, interactives, and practice to whole classes or differentiated groups, then view progress reports. Educators can reorder chapters and edit or add content in customized FlexBooks. The service works in browsers on laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, tablets, and mobile devices, and is listed at free. Standalone Simulations and PLIX Interactives require a tablet-size screen or larger. Users may download PDFs of FlexBooks they create or customize, though interactive content may not render; CK-12-created PDFs are not downloadable. CK-12 says it is still converting all core content to FlexBook 2.0. Listed SSO or LMS partners include Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Kiddom, Clever, and ClassLink.

ExploreLearning Gizmos is a K–12 science learning product built around interactive simulations and virtual experiments. It also provides guided lessons and assessment tools, bringing those activities into a single offering for science education. The free Gizmos account costs nothing and gives access to a limited collection. The pricing note also lists a 30-day trial. Schools and districts can choose paid subscription packages, with a customized quote rather than a listed price. Gizmos is listed for Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, and its supported-device details name PC, Mac, Chromebook, iPad, Android tablets, and modern web browsers. ExploreLearning was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. The listed scope is K–12 science, with simulations, virtual experiments, lessons, and assessment tools among its specified components.