There is a wide variety of ICT tools and resources that, used well, can add value to the teaching process. – learning. Teachers can use technology to create attractive and dynamic teaching materials, manage our work efficiently, communicate with our students and their families, and evaluate student learning.
In this article I propose some of the most useful free technological tools for teachers.
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Free ICT tools for teachers
Canva
We started strong 🙂 And I will never get tired of recommend Canva. Without a doubt, for me it is the essential tool for teachers. Canva is an online graphic design platform that offers teachers an easy way to create engaging visual materials for their classes. With Canva, you can design presentations, posters, infographics, and more. The intuitive interface and pre-designed templates make creating visual content easy, even if you don't have graphic design experience.
Most notable information:
- Canva offers a wide variety of free templates and resources to get you started.
- Teachers can create their own custom designs or use existing templates.
- Canva is a collaborative tool that allows teachers to work together on projects.
- It enables real-time collaboration, which is ideal for group projects and interactive presentations.
- It includes Artificial Intelligence functionalities that will help you take your content to the next level.
Genially
Genially is an interactive presentation creation tool that allows teachers to create engaging presentations that encourage student engagement.
Most notable information:
- Genially allows you to create interactive content, making it ideal for dynamic lessons.
- Offer a wide variety of interactive elements, such as animations and links, to keep students engaged.
- Genially is especially useful for engaging multimedia presentations and educational resources.
Educaplay
Educaplay is a platform that allows you to create quizzes, crossword puzzles, interactive maps and other online educational resources. You can use it to evaluate your students' knowledge in a fun and effective way. In addition, it offers a library of activities already created by other teachers that you can use or customize according to your needs.
Most notable information:
- Educaplay allows teachers to create personalized quizzes, crossword puzzles and educational games.
- The platform includes a library of activities already created by other educators, saving time creating content.
- It is a versatile tool that adapts to formative and summative evaluation.
Kahoot
Kahoot is an educational gaming tool that allows teachers to create online quizzes and trivia games. Students can join through their mobile devices and participate in a fun way while demonstrating their knowledge. Kahoot is a great way to make learning interactive and motivating.
Most notable information:
- Kahoot is an educational gaming tool that motivates students through questions and quizzes.
- Teachers can access a wide variety of quizzes already created on the platform.
- Kahoot encourages active student participation and makes it easy to evaluate their progress.
Paddled
Padlet is a digital whiteboard that allows teachers to create virtual boards for collaboration and content presentation. You can add notes, images, videos and documents, and share the board with your students. It is a versatile tool for creating collaborative murals, online discussions and group projects.
Most notable information:
- Padlet is a versatile digital whiteboard that facilitates collaboration and presentation of content.
- Teachers and students can easily add notes, images, videos and documents.
- It is useful for creating collaborative murals, online discussions and group projects.
Symbaloo
Symbaloo is a visual bookmarking platform that makes it easy to access online resources. Teachers can organize links, websites, and multimedia resources on custom visual boards. This helps students quickly access the materials they need and stay organized.
Most notable information:
- Symbaloo is a platform that allows you to organize and access online resources efficiently.
- Teachers can customize dashboards with links to websites and multimedia resources.
- It is an ideal tool for organizing resources and keeping students focused on tasks.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a virtual learning environment that integrates Google Suite tools, such as Google Docs and Google Drive, in one place. Teachers can create online classes, assign homework, communicate with students, and evaluate progress. It is a complete solution for online teaching and class management.
Most notable information:
- Google Classroom integrates Google Suite tools, such as Google Docs and Google Drive, into a virtual learning environment.
- Teachers can create online classes, assign assignments, provide feedback, and track student progress.
- It facilitates effective communication between teachers and students, in addition to simplifying the delivery and collection of assignments.
Jamboard
Jamboard is an online interactive whiteboard from Google that allows teachers and students to collaborate in real time. You can create drawings, add notes, images and more. It is an ideal tool for brainstorming sessions, problem solving and group activities.
Most notable information:
- Jamboard is a collaborative digital whiteboard that allows users to create drawings, notes, and documents in real time.
- Teachers and students can work together on creative projects and solve problems interactively.
- Integrated with Google Workspace, Jamboard makes online collaboration and teamwork easy.
Recommendations when using technological tools with your students
When using any technological tool, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Learn how to use the tool before using it with your students. Make sure you understand all of the tool's features and options before you start using it with your students. This will help you avoid problems and get the most out of the tool.
- Plan how you are going to use the tool in your class. Think about how you can use the tool to support your learning goals and engage your students. Create a lesson plan that describes how you will use the tool in each lesson.
- Consider the needs of your students when choosing a tool. Not all tools are suitable for all students. Think about your students' skill level, their interests, and their learning needs. Choose a tool that is appropriate for your group of students.
- Experiment with different tools. There are many free technology tools available. Experiment with different tools to find the ones that best suit your teaching practice.
- Get help when you need it. If you have any questions or problems using a tool, seek help. There are many resources available online and in the educational community.
It is important to remember that technology is a powerful tool, but it should not be seen as the end in itself. Its true value lies in how teachers use it to enrich and enhance students' learning experience. Education continues to be a human process that requires the passion, dedication and understanding on the part of the teachers. Technology can facilitate and amplify these efforts, but it cannot replace the unique connection established between a teacher and his or her students. Therefore, as we leverage these technological tools, let us continue to remember that they are just a means to achieve a larger goal: inspiring and empowering the next generation to meet the world's challenges with knowledge and skills.
The free technology tools mentioned in this article offer a wide range of possibilities to enrich teaching and learning. From creating engaging visual materials with Canva to real-time collaboration with Jamboard, these tools provide resources and functionality that can adapt to different teaching styles and student needs. By integrating these tools into your teaching practice, you can improve student engagement, facilitate access to educational resources, and make the teaching process more effective and engaging. Take advantage of these free tech tools and take your teaching to the next level!
