Educational Technology
As a result of technological development, the education sector has experienced tremendous growth. Institutions are more aware and have embraced the importance of technology to advance and equip the educational process. Introducing technological tools in the classroom has enhanced teaching engagement and improved service delivery.
Educational technology helps instructors integrate new technologies and tools into their teaching style. We encourage the adaptive use of technology tools to upgrade and improve our classrooms’ learner-centeredness. Doing this will engage students uniquely, innovatively, and equitably.
We have put together some technology tools that instructors and students can use to enhance education in the classroom to make learning fun and engaging.
Microsoft Power BI
Power BI is a data visualization and report creation tool. Instructors can leverage this tool to create custom interactive reports or data-related materials to tell stories from complex data. Visualization helps fast learning.
Blooklet
Blooket is a fun interactive product instructors can use to create an exciting and interactive classroom. With Booklet, questions are in game mode. You can create memorable experiences with classroom content. Blooket can be used to check student performance without imposing intimidating test environments.
Canva
Instructors and students can also use Canva to enhance teaching and learning. Canva is a creative graphic tool that allows instructors to create engaging posters and attention-grabbing presentations to enhance student learning. Students can also use this tool for very detailed presentations and visual-related assignments.
Book Creator
Book Creator allows instructors to create an eBook for classroom learning. Instructors can develop interactive resources and share them with their students. Students are also encouraged to explore their creativity with Book Creator.
Quizizz
Make your quizzes fun and engaging with Quizizz. The tool provides instructors with an alternative for weekly quizzes and a way to help students challenge themselves.
Grammarly
An online grammar checking and proofreading tool that helps instructors and students correct their writing errors. It provides personalized feedback for punctuation, spelling, and grammar suggestions.
Headspace
Teaching and learning require sound mental health. Headspace is an accessible educational technology tool that aims to support students’ and instructors’ mental health.
Poll Everywhere
Sometimes we encounter students who are often shy to respond in class. Poll Everywhere is a tool instructor can use to get feedback and response from their students. Engage your introverted students by leveraging Poll Everywhere.
Microsoft OneNote
OneNote is a digital note-taking app with a single place to keep your notes, research plans, and information. It allows instructors and students to leverage this Microsoft tool for information gathering and multi-user collaboration, compiling notes, drawings, and screen clippings.
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive helps student collaboration using shared folders and documents. Instructors can create short or long-term assignments and merge formative assessments.
Additional Resources
Cool Tools Archive (EdTech Digest) – EdTech Digest is an online publication specializing in tools, interviews & trends in Education Technology. Cool Tools is a regularly updated column featuring the latest in education-related technology.
Collaboration Tools (by Ashley Deal, Carnegie Mellon University) – For instructors interested in project-based learning, this article provides an overview of technologies to support collaboration.
Hypothes.is – This is a collaborative text annotation tool that is integrated with Canvas. Contact Lisa Scranton (lscranton@newhaven.edu) for training & guidance.
Integrating Instructional Technology Into the Classroom (University of New Haven) – A curated list of strategies for teaching with technology, and integrating tech into your courses.
Kaizena – This is a tool for leaving embedded voice comments on students’ papers. (Note: this is not integrated in Canvas. May be best for reviewing drafts or collaborating on documents.)
Kahoot – Use this platform to create online learning games (quizzes, polls, short answer, puzzles, use images as answers, and more). Great for exam reviews.
Perusall – Social e-reader/annotation tool similar to hypothes.is, but you can integrate digital textbooks. (Cannot annotate the internet. Only materials uploaded or activated by instructor. )
Poll Everywhere – A free service to ask a question and collect live responses in class.
Powerpoint Alternatives (by Ryan Dornfield, blog.glisser) – This post offers 10 presentation programs to use when you’re having PowerPoint fatigue.
Faculty Tech Spotlight
Struggling to engage students in your remote, hybrid, or flex class? Or just want to try something new? Try out Mentimeter, an interactive presentation/polling software program.
Our first CTE faculty tutorial comes to you thanks to Matt Wranovix, honors program director and senior lecturer in the History Department. In the short tutorial below, Matt shares how he uses Mentimeter to check in with students about course content knowledge or just to get a quick emotional pulse check.
There is a free version of Mentimeter, as well as a paid version. In the tutorial, Matt explains the differences between the two. With Mentimeter, faculty can create live polls, quizzes, word clouds, Q&As, and more–getting real-time input on the screen in return.
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Looking for a customizable discussion board? Or a way to get feedback from your students? Or perhaps looking to increase asynchronous participation? Try out the virtual bulletin board, Padlet.
This CTE faculty tutorial was created by Laura Silva, director of the speech-language pathology program and lecturer in the Allied Health department. In the video below, Laura shows us how she uses Padlet to build discussion & increase collaboration with students, as well as how it can help students react to course materials and activities.
There are both free and paid versions of Padlet. Laura explains the differences, and highlights how the archive option allows users to extend the usability of the free version. Padlet can also be used to create timelines, track pros & cons, and more!
Many thanks to Laura for sharing!