EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
Part 1: Technology Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in the
classroom?
1. Blookit •Blookit serves as an
assessment tool for
students, where
teachers can see where
students are excelling
and where they need
more help. The
assessment is in the
form of a game which
keeps students
engaged.
•Teachers access Blookit
through the website.
They must have an
account (which can be
created for free).
•Students can access
Blookit by using a QR
code, going to the
website and entering
the game code
provided by the
teacher, or by using a
link provided by the
teacher.
Easy for students and
parents to access with a
QR code, without
requiring an account
Teachers can create their
own quizzes/questions in
many subjects, and use
them to assess and gauge
areas of strengths and
weaknesses in students
The game concept is
engaging and fun for
students
If the teacher is
using a premade
question bank,
they will need to
verify that the
information is
correct.
Some games may
be difficult for
younger students
to understand.
Games are
accessed on the
internet, so they
require a stable
internet
connection.
•It can be used to
assess student’s
knowledge prior to
the lesson.
•It can be used to
assess student’s
understanding after
a lesson, and
compared to the
results of the
prelesson
assessment.
•It can be used as
homework to
reinforce what was
taught during class.
2. ClassDojo ClassDojo is a tool for
teachers that can be
Students and parents can
not see other student’s
information.
It requires parent
participation.
Parent’s must
Teachers can send
daily, weekly,
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
used for
communication
Provides an easy way to “join” the monthly
communications
Part 1: Technology Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in the
classroom?
between teacher and
parents.
•It can also track
behavior by using Dojo
Points.
•Students can log in and
play educational
games.
•Teachers access
ClassDojo by logging in
to their account on the
website or app. Parents
can access it the same
way.
send communication to
all students/parents at
the same time.
Parents and/or Teachers
are able to send direct
messages to each other
privately
Games that engage
students while
reinforcing skills can be
played by students. It is
a behavior
management tool.
Parents can monitor
behavior points from
their account. Students
get excited to earn
Dojo Points.
classroom. 100%
participation may
not be possible.
The free version
has limitations on
access and tools.
Mostly geared for
younger grade
levels.
such as
newsletters,
special events
coming up,
classroom needs,
reminders, etc.
•Teachers and
parents can share
photos.
•Students can play
games during
down time, such
as if a student
finishes their work
early.
•Teachers access
ClassDojo by
logging in to their
account on the
website or app.
Parents can access
it the same way.
3. Nearpod •Nearpod allows
teachers to enhance
their lesson with
videos, slides, audio,
and games
•Teachers can access
Nearpod offers many
activities which keep
students engaged. There
are games, VR, and
multimedia to enhance
lessons.
There are features to
Nearpod requires a
stable internet
connection.
Teacher time is
involved in
creating lessons
•Nearpod lessons
can be assigned as
homework to
reinforce what
students learned
in the classroom.
•Teachers can
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
Nearpod via the
website. They must
help students, such as that engage and
captivate students.
create plans for
Part 1: Technology Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in the
classroom?
create a free teacher
account. There is also a
paid account that
provides access to
more features.
Students can access
lessons by a direct link
sent to the student, or
by accessing the
website and entering a
unique code provided
by the teacher.
reading text aloud or
translations into
different languages.
Links and codes to
access are easily created
and provided to the
student.
The free teacher
account has
limited access to
features.
substitutes.
Teachers have the
ability to create
more than one
version of a
lesson, which can
be helpful for
students of
differing learning
levels/abilities.
4. Google
Classroom
•Google Classroom
provides a place where
teachers, parents, and
students can
communicate and
collaborate.
•Teachers can send out
lessons and materials,
assignments, and share
grades.
•It works seamlessly
with other Google
products. Login can be
done through a
gmail/google account.
•Access can be done
Google Classroom is free
to use.
It can be accessed
anywhere, by any device
with an internet
connection.
It works with all Google
products which allows for
seamless integration to
things like Google Drive,
Lists, Docs, Slides, etc.
It is a cloud-based
system which
requires an
internet
connection.
It requires a
Google account to
access.
It isn’t as user
friendly or
intuitive as other
systems.
•Google Classroom
can be used to
send out
assignments,
announcements,
and quizzes.
•Teachers, parents,
and students can
access grades on
assignments.
•Teachers can not
only grade
assignments, but
also leave
comments and
feedback to help
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
through the website or
app.
students.
Part 1: Technology Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in the
classroom?
5. ABCya •Teachers can access
ABCya through the
website, which
requires an account
(one can be made for
free).
•ABCya provides a fun
and engaging platform
for students to learn by
playing games.
•Students do not need
accounts to play
games.
ABCya is very user
friendly, and easy for
even young students to
navigate.
There are many free
games for students to
access.
There are games that
cover a broad range of
subjects.
It is geared more
towards younger
students, not
older grades.
The free version
contains ads.
There is no way to
track progress or
assess students.
•Games can be
played during free
time, such as when
a student finished
their work early.
•ABCya can be used
for brainbreaks
throughout the
day.
•ABCya can be
used as a positive
reinforcement, and
as a reward for
good behavior!
6. Chatterpix
and
Chatterpix
Kids
•Chatterpix Kids is an
app that gives photos
the ability to talk.
•Teachers and students
access the app the
same way – by opening
the app and create.
•No account is needed
to use the app.
•The talking photos are
a fun way to share
information with
students.
Chatterpix is very user
friendly and easy to use.
It is free to use and
doesn’t require an
account.
It fosters learning
because it is fun!
It is only good for
short oral needs
– videos are
limited to 30
seconds. It can
only be used on
the app and
doesn’t provide a
way to share the
video or integrate
it into other
platforms. It lacks
robust editing
•It can be used at
the end of a lesson
as a review of the
information
learned.
•Messages and
announcements
can be more
engaging to
students.
•Students can each
create a talking
animal that
introduces them to
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
features. Some
students might
find it silly or
annoying.
their classmates.
Part 1: Technology Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in the
classroom?
7. Biblionasium •Biblionasium allows
elementary students to
share books they have
read and review them,
much the same way
that GoodReads does
for adults.
•Students can connect
with each other as if it
were a social media
platform.
•Teachers access the
platform through the
website and need to
create an Educator
account.
•Students can’t register
themselves for an
account, they must be
registered by their
teacher. They access
their accounts through
the website.
It is private and secure.
Students can only
connect with contacts
that have been
approved.
Encourages student
reading.
It is free for all users.
If students don’t
share their books
and reviews, it will
not be effective.
Teachers must set
up all student
accounts.
Parents may feel
that it is just “one
more thing” they
have to do outside
of regular
assignments and
homework.
•Teachers can
reading challenges
to encourage more
reading.
•Students can
connect to each
other on
Biblionasium and
discuss books they
are reading.
•It can help create a
wish list for books
available in the
classroom.
8. XtraMath •XtraMath is a program
designed to improve
Math fluency.
The free version is
sufficient for most
classrooms.
It is timed, which
can create negative
pressure on
•Teachers can assign
XtraMath as
homework.
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
•Teachers access
XtraMath on the
website. They must
create an account
(free
It identifies strengths
and weakness of
students.
It is very easy to use.
students.
Requires a stable
internet
connection.
•Teachers are able
to monitor student
progress.
•It can be used for a
Part 1: Technology Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in the
classroom?
or paid).
Students access
through the website
as well, and they also
are required to have
an account.
Teachers have to
take the time to
create student
account.
free time activity,
or a warm up
before a math
lesson.
9. Seesaw •Seesaw is a platform
that allows teachers to
create interactive
activities.
•It can be accessed
through the website or
app.
•Teachers require
accounts.
•Teachers must add
students to their
classroom.
Seesaw allows students
to provide lessons and
assessments of
students. It is user
friendly; young students
are able to use the
program just as easily as
older students.
It creates a digital map
for each student that
shows their progress
and growth.
While there is a
free version,
features are
limited. It
requires
significant
teacher set up.
It requires a stable
internet
connection.
•It can be used for
homework
assignment.
•It can be used for
daily check-ins with
questions about
students.
•Activities can
require a student
to record
themselves reading
an assigned
passage out loud to
check for reading
fluency.
10. Youtube •Youtube is a video
sharing site.
•Access is through the
There is countless free
videos on practically
every topic. Videos can
It requires a stable
internet
connection.
•Videos can be
played before a
lesson is taught to
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
website or mobile app.
•Teachers must create
an account if they want
to upload content and
create playlists, but it is
free to view videos.
share information in a
fun way that students
enjoy. It can be
accessed anywhere,
any time.
Teachers can rely
on videos too
much.
There could be
copyright issues.
introduce the
topic.
•Videos can be used
within the lesson
to reinforce certain
information.
•It can be used as a
Part 1: Technolo gy Tools
Name Description Pros Cons How can it be used in
the classroom?
discussion starter.
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
Part 2: Looking Ahead
•Grade Level: 2
•Subject: Language Arts
•Topic: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs
Technology Tool for Learning Activity:
I anticipate using Nearpod as a learning activity as it allows
me to create my own activity. I plan to create a language
arts game to reinforce the difference between nouns, verbs,
adjectives, and adverbs.
Explanation of Technology Tool for Learning Activity:
Nearpod will allow me to create a lesson and games to learn the
differences between nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
Technology Tool for Assessment Activity:
I anticipate using Blookit as a learning activity as it allows
me to create my own activity. I plan to create a language
arts game to reinforce the difference between nouns, verbs,
adjectives, and adverbs.
Explanation of Technology Tool for Assessment Activity:
Blookit will allow me to create a quiz where students have to
choose the right response. I will be able to see which students
need more help to understand.
Write 1-2 sentences explaining the type of research you will need to do before creating a learning activity or assessment activity
with your tools.
I will research effective tools to help students remember the differences and understand their usage. I will then look at other
activities and assessments for creative ideas to add fun graphics and methods to engage the students.
Part 3: Reflection
EDUC 201
Amber Strickland
Write a paragraph of at least 100 words
reflecting on the technology tools that
you’ve learned about. In your paragraph,
address the following areas:
•What have you learned about the
technology available to teachers?
•How has the role of technology
changed since you were a student?
•What concerns do you have about
using technology in the classroom?
•What excites you most about using
technology in the classroom?
In researching different technology tools, I realized that there are so many more tools
than I realized! When I was a student, technology tools were non-existent (I’m a child
of the 80’s). I do have an elementary aged daughter, and I have worked as a
substitute teacher for several years, so I have been exposed to several technology
tools. My biggest concern about using technology in the classroom is overuse and it
becoming ineffective. I am most excited about using it as a tool to engage students
and keep learning fun! Who doesn’t love to play games, even if sometimes it requires
math?
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