Tools and Technologies
I have had experience with a wide array of apps and services that enhance both teaching and student learning.
Communication tools facilitate seamless interaction and collaboration, ensuring that students, teachers, and parents can stay connected whether in-person or remote. Online classroom platforms provide comprehensive environments for managing courses, assignments, and assessments, making it easier to organize and streamline the educational process.
Assessment and engagement tools offer innovative ways to measure student understanding and keep learners motivated through interactive and gamified approaches. Specialized math tools support targeted learning with exercises and visual aids, enhancing comprehension and problem-solving skills. Presentation apps empower educators and students to create visually appealing and effective presentations, facilitating better communication of ideas and information.
Other resources provide additional support, from improving literacy with leveled articles to fostering discussions that enhance student engagement and expression. These apps and services collectively contribute to a more dynamic, interactive, and effective educational experience, equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need for the future.
The following categorized apps and services are those I have used often or regularly as a classroom educator:
Communications Apps
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Remind
- Class Dojo
- Edmodo
- Classkick
Online Classroom Platforms
- Google Classroom with Google Apps (Sheets, Forms, Drive, Docs, Slides, Jam Board, etc.)
- Canvas
- Schoology
- Nearpod
- Moodle
- Blackboard
- Seesaw
Assessments and Engagement
- Kahoot!
- Quizlet
- Edpuzzle
- Socrative
- Poll Everywhere
- Formative
Math Tools
- Desmos
- IXL
- Delta Math
Presentation Apps
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Canva
- Camtasia
- ScreenPal
- SnagIt
- Prezi
- Adobe Spark
- Google Slides
- Animoto
Miscellaneous
- Newsela
- Flip (Flipgrid)
- Turnitin
In addition to apps and services, hardware and physical technologies play a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience and supporting diverse learning needs. Smartboards, for instance, have transformed traditional chalkboards into interactive displays that engage students more dynamically. These digital boards allow teachers to present multimedia content, annotate in real-time, and facilitate interactive lessons, making complex concepts more accessible. Tablets and laptops provide students with individual access to educational software, online resources, and collaborative tools. They promote personalized learning and digital literacy. Document cameras enable teachers to project and manipulate physical documents and objects, enhancing visual learning and making demonstrations more effective.
Additionally, 3D printers are being used to bring abstract ideas to life, especially in STEM education, by allowing students to design and create tangible models. Classroom response systems, like clickers, help in conducting instant polls and quizzes, providing immediate feedback and keeping students actively involved. Audio amplification systems ensure that every student can hear the teacher clearly, which is particularly beneficial in larger classrooms or for students with hearing difficulties.