If you’re new to teaching or looking to learn more about digital tools for teachers such as Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, or Flipgrid--and all the related apps and resources--here’s where to get started. We have the basics for each one, including how to get started, plus tips and advice to get the most out of your experience.
Google Education Tools and Apps
Google Classroom is the most popular digital tool in education, due to its cost (free!) and the multitude of easy-to-use apps and resources related to it.
Google Classroom is a suite of online tools that allows teachers to set assignments, have work submitted by students, to mark and return graded papers, and more.
Google Classroom uses the Google ecosystem of tools such as Docs and Slides, for easy materials sharing, and helps simplify student work evaluation.
How Do I Use Google Classroom?
Google Classroom allows teachers to teach remotely with features such as being able to set assignments, post announcements, share resources, communicate, and grade papers with annotations.
If you’re a new teacher looking to set up a class, a student interested in how the platform works, or a guardian looking to learn more about Google Classroom, this start-up guide will help.
Google Classroom for Teachers: A How To Guide
Everything a teacher needs to know about using Google Classroom to its fullest.
What is Google Forms and How Can It Be Used by Teachers?
Google Forms is a quick and easy way to leverage a form-based system to create online quizzes, make grading faster and simpler.
5 Ways to Prevent Cheating on Your Google Form Quiz
Here are five tips for designing "cheat proof" Google Forms!
What is Google Sheets and How Does It Work for Teachers?
Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet tool that allows teachers to create useful spreadsheets for planning class, grading, and organizing resources, activity reviews, quizzes, and more.
What is Google Slides and How Can It Be Used by Teachers?
Google Slides is a free and super simple presentation tool akin to PowerPoint that teachers can use to create presentations and learning resources.
Google Slides is the online presentation tool for teachers to create free resources for students, presentations and more.
How To Turn Google Slides Into An Animated GIF
Many tools to make animated GIFs are available, but it is always helpful to find one that is free and super easy to use with Google tools.
4 Best Free and Easy Audio Recording Tools for Google Slides
Four excellent, free options for recording audio right in a web browser, and then how to add that audio to Google Slides.
How to Use Google Jamboard, for Teachers
Google Jamboard is an innovative tool that allows teachers to interact with students with a whiteboard-style experience, without even needing to be in the same room.
Tips and Tricks for Teaching with Google Jamboard
Even though Google Jamboard was initially designed with business meetings in mind, it can be a super powerful collaboration tool for schools.
How to Use Google Meet Grid View and More Tips for Teachers
Google Meet is a popular free-to-use video conferencing tool that replaces Google Hangouts and can be used to hold group or one-to-one video chats.
6 Tips for Teaching with Google Meet
A variety of lessons can be presented over video with Google Meet, from teaching the history of the Iroquois Confederation, the parts of speech, or how radioactive decay works. Here’s how to make the most of the platform.
Best Google Docs Add-ons for Teachers
A Google Doc add-on is a software addition that allows educators to expand the capabilities of Google Docs so they can be more creative in helping students learn most effectively.
Best Student Templates for Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and Drawings
These templates are great for students who want a quick and easy Doc, Slide, Sheet or Drawing.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a popular communications platform that works with the entire suite of Microsoft education tools
Microsoft Teams: What Is It and How Does It Work for Education?
Microsoft Teams is an online collaboration platform that allows for video chat, document sharing, collaborative editing, and more – making it ideal for teachers and students.
How to Setup Microsoft Teams Meetings for Teachers and Students
Microsoft Teams allows educators to hold meetings online and create a class environment with students, no matter where everyone is.
Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks for Teachers
From holding an online class to collaborating on a document as a class, Microsoft Teams integrates layers to make sure the experience is as seamless as possible. These tips and tricks will help educators get the most out of the platform.
Flipgrid
At its most basic, Flipgrid is a video communication platform
What is Flipgrid and How Does it Work for Teachers and Students?
Flipgrid is a discussion tool designed to work specifically for teachers and students in a digital classroom by using video to create an open platform of discussion and learning.
Best Flipgrid Tips and Tricks for Teachers and Students
The Flipgrid tips and tricks you need to know, from creating the best videos to engaging more with your Grid
Remind
At its most basic, Remind is a communication platform
What is Remind and How Does it Work for Teachers?
Remind is a communication tool that connects teachers, students, and parents instantly, no matter where they are.
Best Remind Tips and Tricks for Teachers
Remind tips and tricks to help turn the communications platform into a powerful tool that will enhance the learning experience of students in and out of class.
Kahoot!
Kahoot! is an online game-based platform that allows users to create quizzes.
What is Kahoot! and How Does it Work for Teachers?
Game-based learning has never been so easy for teachers and students to enjoy, thanks to Kahoot!
Best Kahoot! Tips and Tricks for Teachers
Kahoot! can help educators engage with students and enhance the teaching experience in class and beyond.
Minecraft
Minecraft is an online game that is often used for gamified learning
What is Minecraft: Education Edition?
Minecraft: Education Edition is a learning-focused version of the popular block-based game, with special options for teachers to offer control while still giving students that open-world freedom for which Minecraft is known.
Minecraft: Education Edition: Tips and Tricks
Minecraft: Education Edition can be a powerful teaching tool when used with the right tips and tricks
Minecraft is about freedom, a trait sorely lacking in education. Kids can build what they want, how they want, block by block, and are only limited by their imagination.
How To Turn A Minecraft Map Into A Google Map
Building a world in Minecraft and then turning it into a Google Map, complete with points of interest, is only limited by your creativity.
How Colleges are Using Minecraft to Create Events and Activities
Higher ed institutions have discovered the value of Minecraft to bridge gaps brought on by remote learning.
Bitmoji
What is a Bitmoji Classroom and How Can I Build One?
The use of Bitmoji, a commonly used app and image-based digital social interaction tool, makes sense for adapting classrooms to feel more natural to students.
Adobe Spark for Education
What is Adobe Spark for Education and How Does It Work for Teachers and Students?
Adobe Spark for Education is a smart yet simple to use digital tool that allows students and teachers to create visually engaging graphics, web pages, and videos.
Best Adobe Spark for Education Tips and Tricks
The best tips and tricks for Adobe Spark for Education can make all the difference in the classroom
Seesaw for Schools
What is Seesaw for Schools and How Does It Work for Teachers and Students?
Seesaw for Schools is a digital, app-based engagement platform that allows students, teachers, and parents or guardians to complete and share classroom work.
Seesaw for Schools Best Tips and Tricks
Seesaw for Schools can enhance the student's learning experience and make a teacher's task more straightforward if you know how to get the most out of it.
Zoho Notebook
What is Zoho Notebook and How Can The Best Tips and Tricks Help Teachers and Students?
Zoho Notebook is a digital note-taking tool that works across devices and operating systems, offering an online suite of tools, including a word processor and an image and audio creator and organizer.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free online teaching resource that offers courses to students to further deepen their knowledge to enhance learning for all. While it was created to bring learning to those who either couldn't afford or didn't have access to education, it's now grown into a powerful resource used by many schools as a teaching aid.
ClassDojo
ClassDojo is a digital platform that connects teachers, students, and families in and out of the physical classroom by using a feed of photos and videos as well as messaging.
Best ClassDojo Tips and Tricks for Teachers
Whether you're toying with the idea of introducing ClassDojo in your class, you're a regular user, or you've just reached a point at which you need something new, these tips and tricks will help.
Animoto
What is Animoto and How Does It Work?
Animoto is free and easy-to-use video maker that allows for the creation and sharing of videos online. Since it is cloud-based and browser-accessible, it works with nearly any device, making it ideal for education settings.
Best Animoto Tips and Tricks for Teachers
Here are the best Animoto tips and tricks for teachers so you can get the most out of using videos inside and outside of your classroom.
Grackle
What is Grackle and How Can It Be Used to Improve Accessibility?
Grackle is software designed to help make digital files more accessible. It makes sharing files easier and everyone will be able to open and see anything they're sent.
TikTok
How Can TikTok Be Used in the Classroom?
The music video-making social media app is free to use, easily accessible for students, and can be a powerfully creative tool in the teaching toolbox.
Buncee
What is Buncee and How Does It Work?
Buncee is a slideshow system designed specifically for educators, students, and administrators that offers end results that are easy to share and is ideal for both in-classroom use and remote learning.
Buncee Tips and Tricks for Teachers
From videos and images to animations and emojis, there is a lot of media to pick from when building a Buncee, but with a few good ideas from those who have used the platform before, you can make Buncee brilliance.
Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship is the responsible use of technology, including learning tools, personal devices, and social media
How to Teach Digital Citizenship
Students need to have a thorough understanding of their digital footprint, how to effectively communicate, the tools they can use, strategies for when they feel unsafe online, and what is considered appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
Supporting Digital Citizenship During Remote Learning
Educators from New York City’s Department of Education share their best practices and advice for supporting digital citizenship.
Which Digital Citizenship Skills Do Students Need Most?
The data suggests that teachers and schools should consider adopting a more holistic approach to digital citizenship.
Fact-Checking Sites for Students
Online resources for students to properly research reports, papers, and more.
As it always is with education technology, evolution and change come quickly. Check back here regularly as we update these resources with the latest tools and best practices. Learning in the classroom can't happen if the teachers themselves stop learning!