Top Interactive Classroom Technology Tools
The effective use of classroom technology drives student results and also makes the teacher’s job easier. Discover the best classroom technology tools here.
Teachers often face an uphill battle in resource-strapped schools and with kids who face constant distraction from smartphones. While many teachers might draw the opinion that technology is increasingly the enemy of learning, they’d be wrong.
It turns out that tech can actually boost learning outcomes and reduce achievement gaps. This proves especially true among students in the highest risk groups.
So, what are the best interactive classroom technology tools you can put to use in your classroom? Keep reading for our top five picks.
- Google Tour Creator
Most teachers probably wish they could take students to see important historical or cultural sites. Yet, it’s often a challenge to arrange a day trip to a local museum.
Google Tour Creator lets you bridge that gap by creating a custom tour of important sites. You can select a specific point of interest and provide additional information at the click of a mouse or a finger tap.
Want to show the kids the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower? Now you can.
- Wakelet
Wakelet introduces students to collaborative learning and sharing. Either a teacher or student and create a “wake.” Essentially, it’s a board where you can add anything from a tweet to an article.
It’s an excellent way for teachers to help students learn about picking relevant and reliable sources. It also lets students share things they find interesting in a controlled space.
- Periodic Table
Science teachers often have a tough go of it when it comes to chemistry. The material is math-heavy and abstract. A few cool reactions during labs rarely makes the rest of the work easier.
An interactive periodic table of elements can make it a little easier though. Each element pops out and provides a few key pieces of information, such as:
- Atomic weight
- Melting point
- Boiling point
- Common oxidation states
By isolating elements, it lets students focus on individual elements rather than confronting the entire periodic table.
- Canva
No one gets excited about making or seeing PowerPoint presentations. Although it’s intended for design, your students can use Canva to make much less visually tedious presentations.
It’s a drag-and-drop program. That makes the learning curve a little less steep. Plus, one of your students is probably already using it and can help everyone else learn.
- Live Binders
Except for that one kid who is more organized than you, your students will accumulate and lose lots of reference material over the year. Live Binders aims to fix that problem.
Students can store digital reference materials in a way that makes sense to them. Plus, they’ll still have it when they need it six months from now. Win-win!
Parting Thoughts on Classroom Technology Tools
Tech can feel like the enemy in the classroom, but classroom technology tools can help your students achieve learning goals. Whether it’s making better presentations or retaining reference materials, there’s a tool out there that helps.
Looking for more ideas to make your classroom more effective? Check out some of the other great resources on Education 2008.
