What good is a nifty new device if you don’t know how to use it? What’s the purpose of loading up your new iPad Air with a gazillion apps if you never figure out how to properly use them in the classroom?
What if there was a simpler way to figure out how to use the most popular tech tools in education? That’s the idea behind the new Global Education Database (GEDB) – it’s still in the very early stages but has an aim to be something akin to the ‘Yelp for Education’ thanks to the robust and brilliant education crowd around the globe. Each listing in the GEDB features expert reviews, pros, cons, tips on using each product in the classroom, what the product is good for (flipped classrooms, Common Core, etc.), and more. I’m proud to be one of the folks helping make the ‘Yelp for Education’ dream a reality as it’s something sorely needed in education.
There are a lot of teachers and students alike who want to use education technology but there’s no cohesive way to research cross-platform products that align to a particular goal. In other words, it’s currently far too difficult to find the best tablet, apps, web tools, and even MOOCs that would work well with a flipped classroom. That’s the aim of the GEDB – to fix the discovery process at least a bit.
Let’s review just a handful of the popular education technology tech tools that are in the database. Below are snippets of the listings you’ll find including how to use each tool in education.
Edmodo: Why 31 Million Users Love It
It’s like your very own Facebook for your classroom. Complete with the addictive tools that let you communicate with your students, parents, and others. Share homework, pictures, and start learning together.
Use it in the classroom: Use Edmodo to streamline your workflow, get assignments actually turned in on time, and even flip your classroom. You should also integrate some of the apps that Edmodo now offers as part of the package.
Edmodo is powerful and relatively straightforward. It will save you time and effort so you can actually teach. Use it to help kickstart a flipped classroom so you spend more time learning and less time focussing on accomplishing tasks and finishing assignments.
Apple iMac: The Massive Learning Machine
The Apple iMac has a massive screen and is overpowered. That means the only limits to how you use these two big assets is your imagination.
Use it in the classroom: Dive into the Mac App Store and download some education apps. There are a ton that are available only for the Mac and look great on either size iMac screen.
Apple TV: How It’s Perfect For Your Classroom
The Apple TV is just a ‘hobby’ for Apple but so many people use it … they must have to update it and improve it soon. Keep an eye out for Apple to make a move in the television space soon.
Use it in the classroom: Great for collaborating (sharing screens on AirPlay), demonstrating concepts (mirroring your iPad or MacBook), or simply watching some educational videos on YouTube or Netflix.
Great for browsing YouTube videos, watching an educational video snippet on Netflix, or even watching live news.
Socrative: How A Complex App Simplifies The Classroom
To be frank, this is one of my most favourite apps currently available.
Use it in the classroom: Use Socrative to boost the level of engagement in your classroom in no time flat. This is a great tool to lift the spirits of students not normally inclined to raise their hand or participate in class in any capacity. Socrative makes it easy and quite fun to upgrade your classroom in no time.
Evernote: The Time-Saving Elephant Loved By Education
Evernote is an easy to use tool that you can employ in your classroom to replace almost anything that you’re currently doing on paper. Create digital portfolios, take notes, share student work via shared notebooks, and store and organise notes and work in a variety of media. An awesome tool that spans all age groups and subject matter.
Use it in the classroom: Use Evernote in your classroom for note taking, list making, individual student documentation, grading, collaboration, creating digital portfolios, sharing information with students and parents, storing photos, documents, and clippings from the web, organise audio recordings, and much, much more.
Evernote offers a number of free add-on tools for drawing, digital handwriting, study note cards, web clippings, food, distraction free reading, and remembering information and experiences about individuals – great for both student and teacher use.
