15+ Top Educational Tech Tools for Teaching in the Classroom
In a technology-driven era, students who are proficient in using technology products get a head start and have a competitive edge in gaining admission to prestigious schools and securing better employment opportunities. It is our responsibility to create a digital environment for children, to harness their tech-savvy. Therefore, in this article, we will list out the 15 top educational tech tools for teaching in the classroom to improve the digital level of student's learning environment.
When it comes to technology tools, we define them as electronic, digital, or physical tools that can expand the human ability to perform tasks or generate products. For the moment, there are spates of technology tools in the market that can be used in the classroom. In general, we could divide them into five types:
1. STEM Teaching Tools
In recent years, coding and programming tools have gained increasing popularity in educational settings. These tools typically include physical robots or kits that can be programmed using coding language or visual programming environments. They are often used in classrooms, after-school programs, and at home to teach students how to code, enabling them to develop logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to create their own projects. Below are some examples of such tools:
Makeblock mBot Neo
This programmable robot kit encourages students to learn about robotics, programming and engineering principles. As an entry-level programmable robot, it is designed for beginners to get hands-on learning experiences.
It is easy to assemble and customize with its modular design. With the built-in sensors and mentors, mBot Neo can be programmed to follow lines, detect obstacles, and perform various tasks. The robot is compatible with Makeblock's graphical programming platform and mBlock app, which allows students to learn coding through a drag-and-drop interface.
mBot Neo's affordability and educational value make it an excellent tool for classrooms and home learning environments, sparking curiosity and fostering STEM skills.
xTool P2
xTool P2 is a smart and unique cutting laser machine equipped with 55W immense power, and multiple smart cameras allowing for carving large objects with automatic passthrough.
We could use it to cut a variety of materials such as acrylic, wood, metal, and glass to improve students' hands-on experience. xTool has given extra attention to the safety of the machine and its users. You will find it is very safe for students to use.
It is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used in educational settings to improve students' operational abilities. This tool can help students develop their hand-eye coordination and precision skills, which are valuable in many technical and scientific disciplines.
xTool F1
xTool F1 is another tool that can be beneficial in a classroom environment. It is a compact and portable laser engraver and cutter designed for precision work. It features a 40W laser tube and a 3.5-inch touchscreen interface, allowing users to easily operate and control the engraving process.
xTool F1 is capable of engraving and cutting a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, leather, and fabric. Its compact size and lightweight design make it suitable for both home use and school teaching settings.
This tool can be particularly useful in teaching students about the intricacies of mechanical systems, electronics, or other technical subjects where precision is key. xTool F1 can help students develop their fine motor skills and understanding of how to manipulate and control small parts effectively.
2. Gamification Tools
Gamification tools are software applications, platforms, or techniques that incorporate elements of game design into non-game contexts, such as education, business, or personal development. The goal of gamification is to increase user engagement, motivation and participation by making activities more enjoyable and rewarding. Here are a few popular gamification tools used in the classroom:
Kahoot!
Kahoot! is an interactive gaming and learning platform that became available to the public for free at the end of 2013. It has now expanded its reach to more than 180 countries around the world.
The platform offers interactive quizzes and provides real-time feedback, which makes learning a fun experience for students. It encourages active participation and peer learning. At the same time, it is easy to create and share quizzes, making the teaching process easy and fun.
Classcraft
Classcraft is an innovative educational platform that transforms classroom learning into an immersive game experience. It blends role-playing elements into the curriculum, where students take on the roles of heroes, wizards, and other fantasy characters.
The platform promotes teamwork, positive behaviors, and academic achievement through a system of points, levels, and challenges. Students earn experience points for completing tasks and participating in class, while negative behaviors result in penalties.
This gamified approach fosters a sense of community, motivation, and engagement, making learning more enjoyable and effective. It also encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and learn from mistakes.
Minecraft: Education Edition
Minecraft: Education Edition is a specialized version of the popular sandbox game, designed to inspire creativity and learning in students. It offers a vast, open-world environment where students can explore, build, and collaborate on projects.
The platform integrates with various subjects, including science, math, history, and language arts, allowing teachers to create lesson plans that align with educational standards. Students can engage in problem-solving, critical thinking, and computational thinking activities, all while developing digital literacy skills.
Minecraft: Education Edition provides a safe and moderating environment for students to learn, with features like lesson plans, teacher resources, and a secure multiplayer mode.
3. Collaboration Tools
Collaboration tools bring all students' thoughts together and cultivate them to be collaborative. Collaboration is an essential part of students' core quality. Therefore, it's vital to introduce collaboration tools into the teaching process. Here are some up-to-the-moment collaboration tools used in classrooms:
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is an intuitive and streamlined learning management system of Google focusing on providing free service for schools, non-profits, and a personal Google account. With seamless integration into Google Workspace suite, Classroom simplifies the organization of educational materials and enhances learning efficiency by offering a user-friendly interface for both teachers and students.
With its support for a variety of file types, real-time collaboration, and instant feedback, Classroom is a versatile tool that can be used in classrooms, flipped learning, and distance education. Teachers can efficiently distribute and grade assignments using this platform, making it an excellent tool for getting the overall learning and teaching experience.
Padlet
Padlet is a digital bulletin board that encourages students to post and share their ideas, images, and links, creating a sense of community and collective learning. It is accessible through any device with a web browser and is an excellent platform for brainstorming and generating ideas.
Padlet is highly versatile and it empowers users to create interactive online bulletin boards, also known as "walls". This tool is widely used in educational settings for facilitating group projects, brainstorming sessions, and class discussions.
Flipgrid
Flipgrid is known as the commonly used video discussion and sharing app, offering students and teachers a platform to interact with each other. It provides a special way for students to join in asynchronous discussions by recording short video responses to prompts set by teachers.
Those videos can be easily shared and viewed by classmates, promoting peer-to-peer learning and reflection. It combines features such as the ability to add text, images and audio alongside videos, promote creativity and foster a dynamic learning environment.