The world has shifted away from traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms and towards online and hybrid learning. However, looking at laptop displays allows pupils to become disoriented and do something else (maybe chase lovely dreams in their bedrooms) while perfecting little more than their ability to pretend to concentrate. We can’t blame everything on the pupils for not studying hard; it’s also the teacher’s job not to offer uninteresting and dry lessons that bore them. Many schools, teachers, and trainers have experimented with novel teaching practices in the new normal to keep pupils interested and engaged. And digital programmes have enabled them reach out to students’ thoughts and improve their access to lectures.

In 2021, 47% of all students in Malaysia had access to digital tools (Hashim & Osman, 2021). Moreover, 65% of schools in Malaysia had plans to transition entirely to virtual learning (Cheong & Hashim, 2023). Education platforms accounted for 35% of student device usage, indicating a significant reliance on digital resources for education (Bujang et al., 2020). The use of remote management apps for educational purposes experienced a notable increase of 82% (Rathakrishnan et al., 2022). Collaboration apps also saw a substantial surge, with a 136% rise in usage. Additionally, 75% of schools and universities in Malaysia either purchased or intended to purchase additional technology tools for students, reflecting a widespread investment in educational technology. (Leading the future of education with technology – Microsoft Malaysia News Center, 2020).

As we transition back to in-person schooling after nearly a year of remote learning, engaging students in the classroom is more crucial than ever. With the abundance of distractions in today’s digital age, educators face the challenge of captivating students’ attention and fostering a love for learning. Fortunately, modern technology offers a plethora of apps and virtual tools designed to make lessons inspiring and exceptionally educational. Let’s explore 20 digital classroom tools that can revolutionize teaching and learning experiences:

1. Google Classroom: A versatile platform for organizing assignments, distributing materials, and facilitating communication between teachers and students.
2. AhaSlides: Engage students with interactive presentations, quizzes, and polls to encourage active participation.
3. Baamboozle: Turn learning into a game with customizable quizzes and activities to make studying more enjoyable.
4. Trello: Organize lesson plans, track progress, and collaborate with students on projects in a visually appealing manner.
5. ClassDojo: Foster positive behaviour and communication in the classroom through a user-friendly interface that allows teachers to reward students for their achievements.
6. Kahoot: Transform learning into a fun competition with interactive quizzes and games that promote retention and understanding of key concepts.
7. Quizalize: Assess students’ understanding in real-time with personalized quizzes tailored to their individual needs and learning styles.
8. Sky Guide: Spark curiosity in astronomy and science by exploring the wonders of the night sky through an interactive stargazing app.
9. Google Lens: Enhance learning opportunities by allowing students to explore the world around them through visual search and augmented reality features.
10. Kids A-Z: Provide access to a vast library of interactive eBooks and resources to support literacy development at various levels.
11. Quizlet: Reinforce learning with flashcards, quizzes, and study games that help students master new vocabulary and concepts.
12. Socrative: Gauge student understanding through formative assessment tools such as quizzes, polls, and exit tickets.
13. Trivia Crack: Stimulate critical thinking and general knowledge with trivia challenges that cover a wide range of topics.
14. Quizizz: Gamify learning with customizable quizzes and competitive challenges that motivate students to review and retain information.
15. Gimkit: Transform traditional quizzes into engaging, interactive experiences that promote active learning and collaboration.
16. Poll Everywhere: Encourage participation and gather feedback from students in real-time through live polls and surveys.
17. Explain Everything: Facilitate dynamic and interactive lessons by creating multimedia presentations and screencasts.
18. Slido: Foster audience engagement and interaction during lectures or presentations with live polls, Q&A sessions, and quizzes.
19. SeeSaw: Empower students to showcase their work and collaborate with peers through digital portfolios and communication tools.
20. Canvas: Streamline course management and delivery with a comprehensive learning management system that supports online learning and assessment.

Incorporating these digital tools into classroom instruction can help educators create dynamic, interactive, and personalized learning experiences that captivate students’ attention and foster a lifelong love for learning. By leveraging the power of technology, educators can inspire curiosity, promote engagement, and empower students to reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond. Whenever you start to feel that your teaching routine is falling into a rut, you can break out any of the above ideas to shake things up and re-energise your class and yourself!

Reference

Bujang, S D A., Selamat, A., Krejcar, O., Marešová, P., & Nguyên, N T. (2020, April 30). Digital Learning Demand for Future Education 4.0—Case Studies at Malaysia Education Institutions. Informatics (Basel), 7(2), 13-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics7020013

Cheong, D C S., & Hashim, Y. (2023, July 30). Implementing eLearning As Edutainment in Malaysian Higher Education: Challenges and Solution for Educators. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 8(7), e002421-e002421. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v8i7.2421

Hashim, N H C., & Osman, K. (2021, June 12). Teaching and Learning by Using Online Application during Movement Control Order. International journal of academic research in progressive education and development, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v10-i2/10143

Leading the future of education with technology – Microsoft Malaysia News Center. (2020, July 23). https://news.microsoft.com/en-my/2020/07/23/microsoft-leading-the-future-of-education-with-technology/

Rathakrishnan, M., Raman, A., Yaakob, M F M., Nawi, A., Yusof, M R., Ali, B., Kamaruzaman, A C K C., & Idris, I Z. (2022, June 15). A SCOPE REVIEW ON MOBILE LEARNING ADOPTION IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN MALAYSIA DURING THE PANDEMIC COVID-19. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, 7(46), 146-153. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijepc.746013

Written by Yang Qammarina binti Mohd Toha

*The views expressed in this article may not necessarily represent HIVE Educators.