In today’s tech-filled world, bringing gadgets into education sparks debates. But let’s face it, devices and apps offer a whole range of benefits! They help to engage students, simplify tasks, aid lesson plans and unlock a treasure trove of free teaching goodies, saving you precious time.
We’ve curated a selection of top-tier apps and websites. They serve as invaluable tools for educators, elevating lessons to engaging experiences, for both themselves and the students. Check out our list below:
(Don’t forget, you must always check the school’s policy with regards to using devices and certain websites & apps in the classroom, before proceeding).
Lesson Planning:
Twinkl: Offers an extensive library of resources, lesson plans, worksheets, and activities aligned with the UK curriculum, catering to various subjects and ages. Search, browse, save, print, download and use over 600,000 resources on your device with the Twinkl app.
TES Resources: A platform hosting an array of teaching resources shared by educators worldwide, including lesson plans, activities, and teaching tips.
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources
Planboard: Easily craft lessons anywhere with an easy-to-use editor featuring curriculum standards and attachments. Planboard seamlessly arranges your lessons and subjects within a pleasing aesthetic portable timetable. Download the app to your tablet or smartphone for accessible planning.
https://www.powerschool.com/classroom/curriculum-and-instruction/chalk-gold-and-planboard/
Interactive Learning & Content Creation:
Kahoot!: An engaging platform to create interactive quizzes and games, fostering student participation and reinforcing learning in a fun and competitive environment. Students of all ages love racing to the top of the leaderboard in a frenzy of fun learning!
Nearpod: An innovative educational platform that infuses learning with a dynamic blend of fun and professionalism. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of teaching tools, offering a seamless integration of presentations, interactive activities, and assessments that transform traditional lessons into engaging adventures. With Nearpod, educators can captivate their audience, encourage student participation, and elevate learning experiences.
Flip: A free web and mobile app from Microsoft that encourages student voice and collaboration by enabling short video discussions, presentations, and reflections on various topics, enhancing communication skills.
https://info.flip.com/en-us.html
Specialised Subject Tools:
BBC Bitesize: This is a professional treasure trove packed with bite-sized lessons and engaging resources across various subjects. This handy website offers comprehensive resources and study materials across subjects, including revision guides, quizzes, and videos, aiding student learning and understanding.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Seneca Learning: Your academic sidekick in digital form! It’s a professional powerhouse, a platform where students dive into interactive courses across various subjects, making learning an adventure. Teachers harness its magic to personalise learning, track progress, and unleash the full potential of each student.
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
GeoGebra: A mathematics software for all ages and levels, integrating geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics, to support the visualisation and exploration of mathematical concepts. GeoGebra hosts a range of free offline apps for all types of devices.
Administrative and Organisational Tools:
Microsoft OneNote: A fantastic and easily accessible app that can be used both inside and outside of the classroom for note-taking, lesson planning, and organising teaching materials, providing a flexible digital notebook.
https://www.onenote.com/?public=1
Trello: Trello is a bright and beautiful digital organiser, which teachers can use to craft lesson schedules, manage assignments, and collaborate with students or colleagues in an intuitive visual layout, making organization and task management a breeze in the teaching journey.
TickTick: Love ticking you to-do list but always losing your paper? TickTick is a free multi-tool app that can help you make lists for any work-related tasks or personal life admin that you are juggling and need to keep track off.
Utilising these online resources empowers educators to streamline their work, engage students effectively, and foster a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Experiment, explore, and integrate these tools to enhance your teaching experiences!
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