Educational technology, also known as edtech, has emerged as a powerful ally for educators in the classroom offering a range of tools to enhance instructional methods, engage students, and create a dynamic and interactive learning experience for students. From learning management systems to collaborative platforms and educational games, the best edtech tools equip teachers with the resources they need to create a personalized learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles. Here are some of the best edtech tools to keep in your toolbox.
Learning Management Systems
Google Classroom, Schoology, and Moodle are all learning management systems that offer a centralized hub for both students and teachers. This is a place to manage coursework, share resources, and participate in discussions. Many LMS’s offer productivity tools within their platforms. For example, Google Classroom which is a widely favored LMS tech tool, integrates other Google tools such as Google Meet, Docs, Gmail, etc. into their LMS platform.
This makes it easy for students and teachers to interact, collaborate, and gain access to information all in one place. This streamlined educational experience is a game-changer for teachers because of all the time they are saving having everything all in one place. Students love it too because of its user-friendly interface and simplified learning experience.
Assessment Tools
Several edtech tools are designed to help teachers evaluate students’ progress and performance. Kahoot is one of the most popular tools because it’s a game-based learning platform that engages students through interactive games. Teachers create a fun learning game or access one from the library then add videos, images, or diagrams to engage students further. Student’s answers are saved, and teachers can use this information to gain insight into student knowledge or to help plan future lessons.
Another favorite edtech assessment tool is Quizizz, which is similar to Kahoot. This tech tool turns quizzes into games, provides instant feedback to students in real time, and gives teachers a detailed report on individual students and the overall class performance. One of its standout features, besides real-time analytics, is how it accommodates diverse learning styles so students can work at their own pace.
Short-form Video Content
Attention spans today are much shorter than they used to be, which is why many educators are choosing short-form videos to help explain the content or illustrate ideas to cater to these short attention spans. Flip (formally Flipgrid) is one of the most popular video discussion platforms.
The way it works is that the teacher creates a discussion prompt by using short video clips, then students respond with their own short video about the given topic. It’s a beneficial tool for less sociable students, too, because they can share their thoughts privately without the stress of speaking in front of others.
Another widely used platform is Edpuzzle, which allows teachers to customize video clips with interactive elements like questions, quizzes, voice notes, and audio notes to help actively engage students. It also provides real-time feedback which is beneficial for both students and teachers. Furthermore, it offers detailed analytics on student performance, making it a great edtech assessment tool. Both edtech tools cater to short-from video content and greatly enhance students’ learning experience.
Artificial Intelligence
AI can be a powerful tech tool in the classroom and is gaining popularity by the day because of its ability to personalize students’ learning experiences. One notable AI edtech tool is ChatGPT, which says it’s “shaping the future of technology.” Educators are utilizing this tool to assist in the development of their lesson planning by helping to create or refine their plans to be tailored to each student’s specific needs and abilities.
Meanwhile, students use this tool to clarify topics or provide supplementary information. Additionally, the platform’s new ability to see, hear, and speak is helping students learn new information in an instant making it the most frequently used app.
Other AI tools that have gained popularity are Magicschool.AI, a well-liked lesson plan assistant, and Gradscope, a favored AI-assisted grading tool. Both of these edtech tools are making it easier for teachers to do their job so they can focus more on their students.
Collaboration Tools
Collaboration is an essential component in every classroom and can help empower students and deepen learning. One collaborative platform that should be added to your teacher toolkit is the widely favored Google Classroom. Google Classroom isn’t just one of the best learning management systems because of its centralized hub, it’s also highly popular because of its collaborative platform.
Some key collaborative features include the real-time sharing of documents, discussion boards where students can share thoughts and ask questions, announcements and notifications, collaborative grading, an integrated calendar, and parental involvement where parents receive updates.
Another reputable collaborative platform is Microsoft Education, specifically Microsoft Teams which is a central hub for communication and collaboration among teachers and students. This is where both students and teachers can communicate through chat or virtual meetings. Additionally, Microsoft Office applications are integrated (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) enabling multiple users to collaborate on the same document and work together on assignments in real-time. Both Google and Microsoft offer an interactive, collaborative work environment that makes it easy to communicate.
The integration of Edtech tools in the classroom has become an integral part of education. From learning management systems to collaborative tools to using artificial intelligence, today’s technology is constantly evolving and adapting to cater to the needs of both teachers and students. Embracing these new technologies opens up endless possibilities for future generations.
