Which Software to Choose: How to Keep Your Classroom Modern and Relevant in the Digital Age

Technology has been transforming society for many years. Long before ChatGPT, digital technologies began to change the workplace and the skills necessary for success. Keeping kids interested in a physical classroom may be difficult enough. What is more, running lessons online using digital learning may make it much more difficult to complete. The good news is that there are several challenges that teachers have to overcome in order to really engage students in a virtual environment. So you can find the approach that works best for you.

Dedicated instructors can create fascinating classrooms that attract students, whether online or in person by using effective student engagement tactics and employing appropriate classroom technology. Any teacher who wants to thrive in the digital era will benefit from understanding these fundamental educational ideas. We have created a list of top software solutions to be a part of a teacher’s toolbox. So keep reading to learn more.

Classroom Management and Collaboration Apps

It all starts with effective classroom management. After all, you are to maintain the focus of “your” kids. For this purpose, you can arm yourself with the following tools:

• Google Classroom — This is an all-in-one platform that simplifies assignment management, student tracking, and communication. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, making it user-friendly for teachers of all tech levels.
• Apple Classroom — The solution is just ideal for schools using Apple devices. This app allows teachers to monitor student activity on their iPads or Macs, distribute assignments, and manage classroom behavior effectively.
• ClassDojo — It is a behavior management tool that helps teachers track student behavior and communicate with families. It allows teachers to award points for positive behavior and send updates to parents.

Interactive Learning Tools

One of the core teacher’s missions is to ensure that students can catch and digest educational material easily. To make this mission easier to accomplish, you can use the following solutions:

• Kahoot! — A game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create quizzes that engage students in a fun way. It supports large groups, making it suitable for classrooms of all sizes.
• Movavi — A versatile tool for digital media projects. It allows users to convert VHS to digital. Thus, teachers can use Movavi to create instructional videos or digitize older resources for modern use.
• Nearpod — This interactive presentation tool enables teachers to create multimedia lessons that students can engage with on their devices. It includes real-time feedback and assessment features.
• Seesaw — It is a digital portfolio platform where students can submit work in various formats (photos, videos, text). It fosters communication between students, teachers, and parents.

Assessment and Feedback Tools

No successful educational process is possible without on-time and relevant feedback. After all, you should have an open dialog with “your” children. This is where the following tools will come to the rescue:

• Socrative — An app that allows teachers to create quizzes and games to assess student understanding in real time. It helps engage students while providing immediate feedback.
• Formative — This tool enables teachers to assign activities and receive real-time results, allowing for immediate feedback on student performance.
• EdPuzzle — An interactive video platform where teachers can customize educational videos by adding questions and notes, enhancing student engagement and comprehension assessment.

Planning and Organization Apps

You will hardly succeed in your teaching career without proper planning and organization. To solve that, arm yourself with the tools that we have picked for you:

• iDoceo — A comprehensive app for managing classes, including grade tracking, lesson planning, and seating arrangement features. It is particularly useful for teachers who prefer an all-in-one solution.
• Planboard — This digital lesson planning tool allows educators to organize their lesson plans online, offering drag-and-drop scheduling and curriculum alignment features.
• Evernote — A note-taking app that helps teachers organize ideas, manage classroom tasks, and collaborate with colleagues effectively.

Additional Useful Apps

It is always good to have some extra secret apps to bring your teaching experience to a whole new level. Here is where the following tools can support you:

• Quizlet — A study tool that allows users to create flashcards and quizzes. It’s widely used for vocabulary practice and content review before tests.
• Calm — A mindfulness app offering resources for teachers to integrate mindfulness practices into the classroom, helping to support both teacher well-being and student engagement.

These apps provide a variety of functionalities that can cater to different teaching styles and classroom needs, enhancing both teaching efficiency and student learning experiences.

Bring Your Teaching Approach to a New Level in the Digital Era

Simply because you’ve added additional student engagement tactics to your instructional toolkit doesn’t mean you should stop there. Whether you’re a senior teacher looking to improve your classroom effectiveness or a novice teacher looking to make a difference, arming yourself with the above apps may help you achieve your professional objectives.