Technology has become increasingly important in classrooms and teachers are already taking advantage of the range of tools available to make education more interesting and efficient.
From online assessment to communication platforms, apps and tech tools can help teachers save time and keep their students engaged. Here are 10 tools for teachers to consider.
1. Learning Management Systems
Learning Management Systems, or LMSs, are online platforms that help teachers organize and manage their courses. Popular systems include Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas, each of which provides features such as grade tracking, file sharing, and discussion boards.
2. Assessment Tools & Quizzes
Assessing students’ progress is an important part of teaching, and there are a variety of digital assessment tools available to help teachers do this quickly and accurately. Kahoot! and Quizizz are two popular quiz-based programs, while Socrative and Plickers are ideal for more open-ended assessments.
3. Collaborative Tools
Collaborative tools can be used to help students work together, share their ideas, and communicate. Craft can be used to create an online collaborative space, and tools such as Padlet and Nearpod can be used to share ideas, discuss topics, and work collaboratively on projects.
4. Video Platforms
Video platforms allow teachers to share video lectures, tutorials, and other resources with their students. YouTube and Vimeo are two of the most popular video platforms, while platforms such as Educreations and Explain Everything are specifically designed for educational purposes.
5. Virtual Classrooms
Virtual classrooms allow teachers to facilitate live classes or meetings online. Popular platforms include Zoom and Google Meet, which provide features such as screen sharing, whiteboard activities, and breakout rooms. See our tips for creating engaging online lectures here.
6. Classroom Management Tools
Classroom management tools help teachers manage student behavior and ensure a safe learning environment. Popular tools include ClassDojo and GoGuardian, which both offer features such as student tracking and activity monitoring.
7. Communication Tools
Communication is obviously essential for teachers and their students, and a variety of digital tools are now used in education to make comms easier. Email is still one of the most widely used methods, while other tools such as Google Classroom and Remind provide features specifically designed for educational communication.
8. Gamification Tools
Gamification tools can be used to turn traditional learning activities into games and make them more fun and engaging. Popular tools include Classcraft and Quill, which provide features such as rewards, levels, and leaderboards.
9. Survey Tools
Survey tools can be used to collect student feedback and gain insights into their learning experiences. SurveyMonkey and Google Forms are two popular survey tools, while other tools such as VoiceThread are specifically designed for educational contexts.
10. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology that allows teachers to incorporate interactive elements into their lessons. Try Google Expeditions which provides an immersive 3D experience that can be used to help teach a variety of topics.
Summary
The use of technology in the classroom can help teachers save time, increase engagement, and improve the overall learning experience. With the right apps and tech tools, teachers can easily manage their courses, assess their students’ progress, facilitate collaboration, provide videos and virtual classrooms, manage behavior, communicate with their students, make learning more fun, and even incorporate interactive elements into their lessons. By taking advantage of the range of tools available, teachers can help ensure their students have a successful and beneficial learning experience.