9 Edtech Tools to Try
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As the edtech industry grows, so should our curiosity to try new products. EdSurge, a website that matches teachers’ needs to Edtech products has over 2,000 Edtech products in its Product Index. This staggering number represents a fragment of the wide-range of edtech products that are on offer to educators and administrations. So, if you are interested in incorporating a new product into the classroom or just curious about what is on the market; here are “9 Edtech Tools to Try.”
Quizzes have been a long-standing tool for assessment. Quizalize aims to make quizzes a form of friendly online competition. Educators create quizzes that test subject knowledge or can pick from a selection of 20,000 premade quizzes. Students can be grouped into teams, play as individuals at home, or sit down to a formal test offered through this Edtech product. Quizalize works on most mobile devices and is changing the attitudes around pop – quizzes.
Edmodo was founded in 2008 and with more than 75000 users it is possibly one of the biggest names in the edtech industry. Edmodo’s primary focus is to create a platform where parents, students, and teachers can all be involved in education. This level of transparency pushes parents to take accountability for their children’s homework and to participate directly in all aspects of their child’s education. Edmodo is a great way to connect all the stakeholders in a child’s education.
This edtech product was designed by The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and is in line with common core standards. Illumination provides teachers with a platform where they can find hundreds of lesson plans, activities and ways to better their teaching practices. Educators can pick grade specific games and content, ensuring that their students are on par with standards set by the NCTM.
This student-centered edtech is so easy to use, that it has been introduced into kindergarten classrooms. Creaza provides both students and teachers a space to create interactive presentations. The built-in content makes it easy for younger students to use but also offers educators and older students the option to upload unique content. Creaza emphasis is on creativity, and though their product students can produce: mind maps, comic book strips, and presentation with audio and visual qualities. Creaza is available in 9 different languages and across numerous devices.
Formative hopes to encourage students to learn from feedback and corrections. Educators watch in real time as students answer questions and can jump in and provide help. Students not only feel that they are receiving one on one attention but educators can provide personalized comments away from the busy classroom. This product works best with Math and Science focused subjects, and shy students will appreciate the private comments and grading.
Lesson planning can be a very lonely task. Common Curriculum wants to change that by offering educators a space to create and collaborate on lesson plans. The features that are on offer allow real-time editing, chat, and collaboration. Teachers in the same subject can share and co-author lesson plan, which ensures cohesion across a certain subject but also allows for a blending of ideas. This is a great edtech product that works best if utilized thought a school or department.
Write About gets students engaged with writing by offering visual prompts. Educators can upload images, choose from keywords in the database or set specific writing tasks. Easy marking and editing allows teachers to provide honest feedback in a safe space.
This online reward system is the technological answer to gold stars and stickers. Badge List allows educators to set fun rewards linked to specific learning outcomes. Once a learner has achieved the outcome, they are rewarded with a custom made badge. This system fosters a positive environment, where both students and parents can see the achievements of students away from the traditional grade symbol. After all, whoever hated getting a gold star?
This product is future of the grade book. Gradealyzer offers educators a single space to keep grades across subjects and even school wide. Not only is the easy to input grades but teachers can share in-depth reports with parents. There are features to rate behavior, look at overall performance and see school-wide statistics. This edtech is becoming a fast favorite both for its simplicity and its aim to reduce paperwork and stress.
So, there you have it. Whether you are looking to make grading more efficient or improve parent- teacher relations, there is an edtech product out there for every educational need. As educators, it is important to change with the times, and curiosity in edtech is an excellent way to encourage change.
