Top Tech in the Classroom - 2022 Edition (Plus Links!)

Top Tech in the Classroom - 2022 Edition (Plus Links!)

My husband recently shared an article from The Morning Brew, a news outlet that highlights up-to-date information on businesses and current happenings with the stock market. This article, "10 Pieces of Educational Tech, Ranked", focused on different items that we may be familiar with in our classrooms growing up and how they are ranked based on their contribution to education. While many of the items that they highlight, such as the Overhead,  iClicker and Oregon Trail game, may seem outdated, I was interested to see the perspective of how this items have evolved and changed education as we know it. I felt inspired after seeing their list, to create one of my own, based on the items that I use in my classroom in our digital age! 

 

10. Digital Clock 

Many of my students in the primary grades have entered my classroom not being able to tell the time on a traditional analog clock that all classrooms are equipped with. The use of a simple digital clock in the classroom, tucked on a shelf within sight, had been a game changer for students when it came to our class routine and schedule. Instead of students asking constantly "Mrs. Ger, what time is it" or "Mrs. Ger, how many more minutes until lunch", students are able to use the digital clock and posted schedule to determine for themselves! Here's a link to the one we have and LOVE in our class: Digital Clock. 

9. Digital Games 

I am a huge component of the use of digital games to help support a given skill that we are working on in class. While I don't think it is appropriate for students to constantly be playing games on the computer, I think it can be a super fun and interactive way to reinforce different skills rather than just using rote worksheets. I use Prodigy and SplashLearn to help reinforce skills that are relevant to what we are working on in the class. The best part-- students don't know that I control what types of questions they are seeing. That means, they constantly go "wait, this is what we're working on in class" when faced with answering questions. Talk about a huge confidence booster! 

8. LED Lights 

LED Lights have been a huge help in the classroom both in helping create a positive classroom environment and in classroom management! I use LED Lightstrips behind my Promethean Board to help set a calming environment for the students each day. Additionally, I use LED Puck Lights for volume control. Each time I introduce an assignment or activity I would like the students to complete, I use a set of 4 lights to convey how the volume level in the room should be. Not only does this help before they begin, but the light helps to serve as a reminder as they are working! 

7. Video Conferencing - Zoom 

If this was 2020 or 2021, Zoom probably would have made the top 5, but due to me using it less and less this year, it is slowly moving back in rank. However, I still use Zoom as a way to hop on a quick meeting with parents if needed. I have always been a phone call type of gal over an email, and now that video conferencing is an option, I love using it and being able to read facial expressions! This year, in addition to in-person parent-teacher conferences, I will also be providing the virtual video conferencing option for those parents who it just fits their schedule better. 

6. Promethean Board

The Promethean Board is a huge tech tool that is used everyday in my classroom. I use this while students are arriving in the morning to show their morning routine and what items should be done for morning work. The Promethean Board can also be used for instruction where students can see things projected on the board as well as be able to use interactive slides for more engagement in a lesson. This is also a huge help for my more visual learners in the room, being able to see the large screen from almost anywhere! 

5. Document Camera

Going along with the Promethean Board, a document camera is another type of tech that gets used daily in my classroom. I use this to model different items that I would like students to then do with a partner or independently. Document Cameras are a great way to display a worksheet or assignment and be able to talk through the directions before the kiddos get started. We were provided these IPEVO Document Cameras for all classrooms at our school. 

4. Wireless Doorbell 

If you do not use one of these Wireless Doorbells in your primary classroom, you need to reevaluate! This has been a game changer in classroom management and transitions. When it comes time to transition to a new activity or to line up, students are able to hear a chime played through this tiny doorbell and are instantly redirected. This has been a great voice-saver, especially when students are working in groups or partners around the classroom. Once they hear the chime, they know its time to turn voices off and listen for the next instruction. 

3. Chromebooks

Chromebooks have been essential to students in MCPS in the past few years, especially while participating in virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. While virtual learning is not currently taking place, students still use their Chromebooks in the classroom throughout the week. I love to give my students assignments on the Chromebook where they are able to work in groups and made slideshow presentations, videos and other creative items rather than just writing a paper. 

2. Timers

Timers are a wonderful tool to help you and the students in the classroom to stay on track. I constantly use timers as a way to give students an end-time to how long they are working on something before we transition to the next thing. I use timers to help keep myself on track sometimes when teaching as well if I know that I need to get something done in a certain amount of time. Additionally, timers can be a great resource for those kiddos that need a break if they are upset or frustrated. A quick timer set once they begin their break and a chance to calm down before returning to instruction or classwork. 

1. G-suite Applications

Google, Google, Google, and some more Google! I use Google for EVERYTHING! I use Google Slides everyday to make my slideshow presentations for instruction. I use Google Docs to create worksheets for students to complete. I use Google Classroom to push out materials and links quickly to students. I use Google Meet to video-conference with parents and for some IEP and 504 meetings. This current blog that I am typing on? You guessed it...Google. Google is the one biggest tech tool that my classroom truly runs on. Who runs that world....Google! 

There you have it, the top tech tools ranked in Mrs. Ger's 2nd Grade classroom. Please note, this is just based on my own opinion :) What tech tools do you use that you cannot live without? 

Citations: 

Merritt, M. (2022, September 2). Morning Brew. Retrieved September 2, 2022, from https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/10-pieces-of-education-tech-ranked