Multitudes of Multi-Tools

16 multimedia learning tools for the classroom

In the process of researching how to use the 'Edpuzzle' tool that we needed to use to edit an informative video and include 5 questions in, I fell down the wormhole of the variety of tools that are available for teachers to use. \

As an occasional teacher, I am often given directions to use various apps with the classes, especially ELL learners. All of the students love the reward of a good round of Kahoots but as curiosity has brought me to look further, I realize there is a multitude of tools that I should be utilizing in the classroom to engage a variety of learners.

The link I have provided above is a compilation of 16 tools to use in the classroom by eSchool News, as a website article. Some require payment and a subscription, such as iMovie but there are some great alternatives to iMovie that the students can access for free. They probably know already. In past classes, I have posted a giant paper on the board and had students write down all of the apps for education that they know of. We have come up with extensive lists. Now, I think I would have the students create this list together on an active/live group document that we all could contribute to.

SoundCloud has been used to create podcasts, but now our schoolboard has Canva, where students can create a multitude of projects from Powerpoint presentations to posters to moving videos and animations.

The concept of BookCreator excites me. The students can collectively, individually, or as a small group can create, edit, and illustrate their books. I know there are also websites like Comicstrip in which students can create their own comics and/or graphic novels using the templates provided. This could be useful in collaboration with a digital drawing pad.

Piktochart is a great place for students to learn how to collect data and create infographics. We have used this app in the past.

I like to be able to offer options of which apps to use. Sometimes students prefer a certain app to the one I provide. When this happens, students chose which one to use and then we will have a class discussion about which one we prefer to use so that we all end up a bit more informed and tool saavy.

There are many tools, even on this one list, that I still need to try, some for teachers while some are for students to use. Modeling good practices of learning and integrating new technology will encourage our students to do the same in their own learning journey and hopefully be less afraid to explore new apps.

Together we are better.