r/edtech • u/meganmeezus • 22d ago
Instructional Tool Recs
Hi all. I'm teaching a university course in the spring that introduces pre-teachers to a variety of technologies. What are some popular websites, games, tools, etc. that I should include in the course for these potential teachers to use in the future? So far I've included Canva/PowerPoint, Kahoot, Quizlet, Padlet, Popplet, Book Creator, and Prodigy.
7
u/BurnsideBill 21d ago edited 20d ago
EdPuzzle, Pear Deck, Kami, Magic Bus. I’d also say give them exposure to an LMS such as Canvas, Buzz, or even Google Classroom.
Edit: maybe an authoring tool too like Adobe Captivate or Articulate 360. My favorite free one is Genially.
2
u/Pretty-Living8498 20d ago
I did a master in Ed tech that had us explore a variety of LMSs and compare and contrast. This was soooo beneficial. Highly suggest
1
u/meganmeezus 21d ago
I'll check those out, thanks! We use Canvas at our university.
3
u/Jabbas-Hookah-Frog 21d ago
Google Classroom is an essential delivery method for any / all of these. If you don’t have a place for students to predictably click a link to open a lesson or activity, it’s all for nothing. Lead with it like a flow chart
2
u/BurnsideBill 21d ago
I’d definitely give them the opportunity to use it as a place for submissions and if students miss work. It tends to be a repository for classroom teachers. You might also expose them to flipped classrooms.
1
u/maptechlady 19d ago
I use Genially a lot! Although, with the latest updates - the windows are starting to be a little uncooperative. I'll hopefully chat with tech support about that soon.
I would be careful of Articulate 360! It's a really neat program, but it is VERY EXPENSIVE. For a paid tool, I've found that Thinglink or Genially are easier to manage. But if you have the funds to spend, the Articulate 360 can be pretty cool.
1
u/BurnsideBill 19d ago
Agreed. It’s mostly in the spirit of allowing them the opportunity to use it in case teaching is not for them. Allow them the experience and a portfolio to take to the learning and development sector.
3
u/eldonhughes 21d ago
Brisk and Diffit and ChatGpt. Along with the list you have. Sure. Are you also teaching them to apply a practical rubric to whatever the next “shiny” is, to curate the possibilities? To identify the tools that “fit their hands”, fit their style and goals.
While I’m at it, teach them the basics of standard classroom tech, the common elements, basic first steps of problem solving in that environment. The last two decades of new hires for the districts I’ve worked for or with have come with teaching degrees from a half dozen universities around the midwest. Not one of them had arrived with a basic understanding of how the classroom tech they. Are walking into works, let alone the basic skills of troubleshooting usage issues. And so, too many of them are facing obstacles and discomfort during daily moments when they have more important things that need their attention.
The good that you will do for them and the schools they will be going to is immeasurable
2
u/Forward-Remove7430 21d ago
Since you mentioned Kahoot and Quizlet, I'd definitely add Nearpod and Peardeck to that list - they're game-changers for interactive lessons.
You might also want to introduce them to some AI tools (although these can get a mixed response - some love them some hate them). I've been using a few:
- ChatGPT
- Diffit for worksheets
- Chalkie AI for slides
Other solid additions would be ClassDojo and Gimkit
Hope this helps!
2
u/Jabbas-Hookah-Frog 21d ago
Nearpod: many schools used it as a support during virtual learning but it has many application for in person and independent practice.
IXL: really robust progress monitoring tools and engaging mechanics to support student use. Basically an AI that continually updates rigor as students progress. Can be used in intervention, as independent practice, or as a home practice tool.
2
2
u/Nonbinarycode21 20d ago
My students love Blookets and Gimkits! They get really competitive and excited about them.
I use Delta Math for student paced assignments that target specific math skills. It has students continue solving problems until they’ve gotten a certain number correct or a certain score.
For engaging assignments and activities, TeachersPayTeachers is always the first place I look.
Math-aids.com generates math worksheets with answer keys
1
2
u/maptechlady 19d ago
If your university has an education for ArcGIS Online - I highly recommend checking out ArcGIS StoryMaps! Maps and coding is not required, and it has some really neat tools for creating interactive presentations. Currently, we have a couple of departments that use thing for virtual exhibits (some use maps and some just use it for curation). It's way easier to manage than Adobe products or creating a website.
1
u/wingsstones 15d ago
You could add Flipgrid for interactive discussions, Edpuzzle for video-based lessons, and ClassDojo for classroom management!
1
u/Brilliant-Freedom-21 2d ago
You could add Read Bytes to that list for quality digital, reading comprehension micro learnings. (www.readbyt.com)
12
u/jschinker 21d ago
Please Please Please pay attention to student data privacy. The schools are focusing a LOT more on it now, and teachers can't just go out and start using whatever shiny app showed up in a methods class or PD session. If they come in all excited about Quizlet or Grammarly, we're just going to roll our eyes and shut them down.
Also, focus on the areas where technology enhances instruction. Does it improve student engagement? Does it help you individualize instructional experiences to meet the needs of each student? Does it help them demonstrate their learning in new ways? Those are the reasons to use edtech.