Over the past two years, many teachers have become accomplished technology users and incorporated sophisticated tech tools to facilitate learning in their classroom.
While the #edtech firehose can seem overwhelming, there are smart ways to get more out of your everyday tech tools. Here are a few teacher-tested tips to help you streamline your workload, maximize accessibility, and improve social emotional learning in 2022.
1. Use a projector or interactive whiteboard
A projector or interactive whiteboard can add a new dimension to the classroom, especially for students who are visually impaired. They can show videos and images, as well as Web pages, that have been downloaded or created by the teacher.
They also allow students to write on a large screen, as well as save their work for later use. These tools can help teachers make learning more interactive and fun for students, while also facilitating critical thinking.
However, there are some downsides to using a projector or interactive whiteboard in the classroom. One major issue is that these devices can cast shadows, making them difficult to read for students in the back of the room.
2. Create digital assignments and quizzes
One of the best ways to get students involved in class is through digital assignments and quizzes. These types of assignments are fun and interactive, and they also allow you to assess students in a quick and easy way.
To create a digital assignment, you should first decide on what type of content you want to provide your students with. Many LMSs offer a variety of different types of assignments, so you should take the time to figure out which ones will suit your students’ needs and teaching style.
Some of these assignments include discussion boards, journal assignments and team projects. These types of assignments allow students to interact with their instructor in a more private setting. These are also great for getting students to practice writing their thoughts and opinions.
3. Use online forums and chat rooms
Online forums and chat rooms are an easy way to engage students in classroom discussions. However, like many online tools, they can also be a source of safety concerns.
One way to make online forums and chat rooms more secure is to use a screen monitoring program. These programs are designed to detect cyberbullying and predatory grooming.
A good example is LearnSafe.
In addition to keeping students safe from predatory groomers, these programs can also help teachers monitor student computer activity. This can be especially important when students are sharing sensitive information on the internet, which could be a sign of something more serious.
Using a forum to discuss a topic is a great idea, but make sure you communicate clearly what the goals are and why they’re important. This can lead to student engagement and motivation.
4. Use online typing tutors
Online typing tutors are a great way to teach students touch typing. They can be used by students of all ages and offer a variety of games, practice tests, and real-world text practice.
While many typing tutors are automated, some platforms also allow students to work with a human instructor. This helps students build their strengths and identify areas where they need improvement.
For example, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is a top choice for kids of all ages and offers an extensive selection of practice tests and games. Ratatype also stands out as a group option that allows users to compete against each other and encourages collaboration.
5. Use Google Earth
Google Earth is a powerful tool that can help students experience the world. It’s an online virtual rendering of the planet that combines satellite imagery and street view photos to create a seamless image.
It’s easy to use and can be used for a wide variety of educational purposes. Teachers can employ Google Earth to research topics that are relevant to their curriculum or to incorporate it into lectures and other presentations.
The program also provides video flyovers and 3-D views of global landmarks. Users can navigate the globe from outer space all the way down to a street view of their home.
There are a number of ways teachers can use Google Earth in the classroom, from geography and history to science and math. To learn more, visit the “Google Earth 101 for Educators” site, which offers a series of screen casts and help sheets that introduce the wide array of Google Earth features.
6. Use online resources
Teachers are in constant need of new educational resources that can help them teach better. These online tools help teachers save time and energy planning lessons, creating engaging classroom sessions, and evaluating students’ performance.
A great resource for teachers is the Learning for Justice website, which offers lots of social justice-focused teaching materials, such as primary source sets and film kits for students to study a variety of topics.
Another fantastic source is TpT (TeachersPayTeachers), a website that has hundreds of free standards-aligned lesson plans and interactive whiteboard activities. You can also find hall passes, graphic organizers, rubrics, and other resources here.
This resource is ideal for K-8 teachers, and it can be used with both English language learners and non-English-speaking students. Its lessons are all linked to relevant standards and are designed around holidays and current events.
7. Create a class website or blog
A class website is a great way to keep students and parents updated on what’s going on in the classroom. It can also be a useful tool for teachers to share resources and information with students, parents and other staff.
There are many ways to go about creating a class website, but the most popular method is to use a web hosting service like Bluehost or a free site-creation platform like WordPress. These services are easy to use and come with a slew of features designed to make your teaching life easier.
A popular page on a class website is the “Resources” or “Documents” page, which contains links to documents, videos and other goodies that can be found online. The most useful of these is a link to your Google Documents or Dropbox account, which allows you to create a digital copy of a document for students without having to lug around paper copies.
8. Use online tools like Google Docs or Prezi
Online tools like Google Docs or Prezi can be a valuable resource for teachers. They allow students to create and share their work with other students. They can also be used to create interactive assignments and quizzes.
These online tools can be useful for both classroom and home use, especially if they’re available in multiple languages or have mobile apps. They’re also easy to use, and can save time and money by eliminating the need for printing out slides.
Another important benefit of these online presentation tools is that they can be viewed offline when connected to the internet. This is a huge advantage for teachers who want to send their presentations in a format that can be easily viewed at home or by other students during a class meeting.
9. Use screencasting tools
Screencasting is an excellent way to share videos of a screen or the computer’s webcam with students. It’s also a great tool for teachers to use for feedback on projects or writing drafts.
Using a screencasting tool can save time by not having to type up each comment for each student. It can also be used to create a bank of common comments that can be accessed at multiple milestones during the year.
The best screencasting tools are simple, lightweight and safe for students and teachers. They allow you to record and edit your screen or the computer’s webcam simultaneously.
One popular screencasting tool is Screencastify. It’s a Chrome extension that lets you record your screen, webcam and annotate. It’s easy to use and offers essential training to help you make your videos both engaging and valuable.
10. Use online resources like Khan Academy or edX
One of the most effective ways to enhance your teaching practice is through online resources. These sites offer a variety of educational tools and are free to use.
Khan Academy is an online education platform that offers lessons and courses in a wide range of subjects. It’s geared toward students from preschool to high school and includes topics in math, science, computing, arts and humanities, economics, and reading and language arts.
Khan Academy’s curriculum is designed to match the needs of young learners, so it’s a great resource for educators and parents who are homeschooling children. However, adult learners can also take advantage of its resources.
