Top 10 Quality Tools for the Digital Classroom (The Best of the Best!)
If the past school year has taught us anything about technology in the classroom, it's that quality trumps quantity. We live in a world with no shortage of tech teaching tools and resources. The key is sorting through to find the gems. The best tech tools and websites that actually enhance virtual or in-person learning and everything in between.
The following apps and websites make the cut because they enrich learning in a meaningful way. They are not just another bell or whistle. They actually enhance learning in ways that would not be possible without technology.
Google Workspace includes all of the productivity apps we know and love - Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet and many more. With features such as speech to text, real-time collaboration, smart compose etc., Google Workspaces helps us to be efficient and innovative in all that we do.
Flipgrid is a video discussion tool with many innovative features and tools. It is designed to allow students to speak to a group without fear that might be present in a real time situation. Students can record and re-record responses, removing the pressure to answer questions on the spot in front of others. Students can pixelate their faces and add stickers (icons) to the video responses.
Nearpod is an online platform that allows teachers to use Google Slides for interactive learning and participation. Teachers can add open ended questions, polls, collaborative boards, drag and drop activities and more. Students can join a live lesson or a self-paced lesson. Teachers can review student work as a report after a Nearpod lesson is complete.
WeVideo is a video creation site that lets students create, edit and share video content. It is cloud-based, which means that multiple people can collaborate on the same video from different locations. The premium version allows for screen cast recording, green screening and Google Drive integration.
Jamboard is a collaborative, digital whiteboard that makes it easy to share ideas in real time. Users can add backgrounds, images, text and shapes. Users can draw free style when using a touch screen. The owner can set permissions the same as any tool in Google Workspaces
Padlet is an online sticky note board that can be used in real time collaboration. A Padlet board looks similar to a bulletin board with sticky notes. The sticky notes can contain links, videos, images and files. Padlet creators can moderate posts, remove posts and manage their boards at any time.
Canva is a graphic design platform for making all types of digital designs including social media posts, flyers, invitations, presentations, worksheets, etc. The drag and drop interface makes this site appealing to students with thousands of templates to choose from. Canva has many photo editing features and sharing options.
Kahoot and Quizizz are game-based learning platforms that make it easy to create, share and play trivia type quizzes. Both of these tools have libraries of pre-made quizzes to use as well as features to create your own quiz in minutes. Quizzes can be played in real time or assigned as homework to be completed individually
Quizlet is a web-based tool to help students study through interactive tools and games. Quizlet lets teachers and students create interactive flashcards to study and play games to help master the terms and meanings.
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