6 Educational Technology Tools for Teachers

Schools started to open in some levels and some cities as of March, but the pandemic has not yet fully ended, and this means that teachers will still continue distance lessons. For this reason, I would like to tell you about 6 Educational Technology tools that can be useful to teachers in this process and even shape and strengthen your teaching experience when we switch to normal education or hybrid education.

1- Google Drive

I know most of you are already using it but for those who are not, you are definitely missing a lot. Google Drive offers an integrated suite of powerful tools you can use to create, edit and share: documents (Google Docs), presentations (Google Slides), drawings (Google Drawings), forms (Google Forms) to name a few. In my view, the strength of Google Drive tools is their simplicity, accessibility and usefulness. Their integration with each other makes them one of the ideal Educational Technology tools to have in your training toolbox.

2- Video Conferencing Tools

Although zoom is widely used as a video conferencing tool, you can also experience tools like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet because it prevents you from dealing with situations such as the 40-minute time and person limit. In addition, the paid room feature of the zoom can also be used free of charge in these applications. 

3- Collaborative Interactive Board

Collaborative whiteboards are one of the best ways to get students actively engaged in meaningful learning experiences online and in the classroom. One of the tools I highly recommend in this regard is Google's Jamboard. You can use it to draw, scribble, take notes and draw in real time. It is also integrated with Google Meet, which allows you to whiteboard live (in case you use it) in a video call. 

4- Screen Recording and Broadcasting

Screen video recording is another important digital skill that is essential in the pandemic environment and beyond. You can do this to help your students learn how to use a particular tool, to explain a topic briefly, or to create step-by-step guides for students to find solutions to homework, etc. You can use it for. Besides Screencastify, Loom is definitely the easiest and most practical screen video recording tool I would recommend for you. “The tool is very simple and easy to use, and most importantly, it is integrated with Gmail, Google Docs, Dropbox and many more services.

5- Assessment Tools

A-Flipgrid

Flipgrid is an excellent video-based discussion platform that allows teachers and students (and parents) to participate in rich and interactive learning. Flipgrid's way of working is simple and straightforward. As a teacher, you can choose a topic you want to discuss with your students and send discussion prompts that students will answer using short video clips. You can also invite guests to join your discussion community. Participants can comment and provide feedback on each other's inputs. If you run out of topic ideas, Flipgrid offers thousands of lessons, educational activities, and topic ideas to inspire you.

B-Kahoot

Kahoot works more or less like Flipgrid. It also provides a platform for formative assessments through live interactive discussions and learning games. You can create a kahoot for your class and invite your students to a discussion. You can add various types of questions to your Kahoot, import slides, import spreadsheets, and much more. I can say that kahoot, one of the evaluation tools, attracts the attention of children more.