Students and teachers in the US and abroad found themselves forced to juggle traditional and online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. While these changes created unprecedented difficulties for the American education system, they also provided opportunities for individuals to use new educational technologies. A recent study shows that, although most online courses are viewed favorably by participating students, approximately 50% of those students still prefer face-to-face instruction. However, with the healthcare crisis now ending, there is good reason to believe that students will be able to opt for traditional courses in the future, while still enjoying some technological perks.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by using new apps to support traditional learning. Some apps developed for tablets and smartphones can actually improve the learning experience for both students and teachers, as research on online learning during the pandemic shows. Easily available on the App Store and Google Play Store, these apps can actually help students improve their skills in fields ranging from Math to Spanish, Science, or Physics. Moreover, these new apps can provide students with new learning opportunities, and they can also be used to boost classroom engagement and create a better learning environment outside the school.
Kahoot!
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform available on iPhone, iPad, and Android. It was developed to transform stuffy lessons into games that improve student engagement. In fact, Kahoot! can help teachers in the US and abroad turn their classrooms into live game shows that make learning fun. The app also allows teachers to monitor student progress, boost formative assessment, and maximize learning outcomes. Moreover, Kahoot! can be extremely useful in remote and hybrid learning, as it transforms an otherwise static environment into a dynamic one.
Duolingo
Improving foreign language skills is undoubtedly extremely important for students, and these skills can also impact their future in meaningful ways. One way of bettering one’s foreign languages skills is by using Duolingo, an app that promises to provide children and adults with a free, fun, and effective way to learn foreign languages. This useful app is available on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, and it allows users to practice their Spanish, Dutch, Danish, French, German, Italian, Irish, and other foreign languages. Moreover, Duolingo also offers teachers new ways of helping their students learn various languages through an app, both in and out of the classroom.
Quizizz
Another app that’s useful for both teachers and students is Quizizz, a platform that helps teachers create effective quizzes that measure students’ understanding of various concepts. Teachers can reuse the already available quizzes from the app’s library, and choose between flashcards and other types of quizzes. Moreover, Quizizz can also help teachers create interactive lessons by using images and videos, importing pre-designed slides, and adding effective assessments. Quizizz can be used on desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and different types of smartphones.
Seesaw
While Kahoot!, Duolingo, and Quizizz were designed with students and teachers in mind, Seesaw allows educators, students, families, and school leaders to join forces in elevating learning. According to its website, this is also the best interactive learning platform for PreK-5. Seesaw is available on both iOS and Android devices, and it comes with an important advantage: it allows parents to monitor their children’s work and progress. The platform is also useful for teachers, as it allows them to share concrete examples of their student’s learning abilities and point out the areas that need more work.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom, one of the most famous platforms now available, is an all-in-one app designed for teaching and learning. The platform is not only easily accessible, but it also encourages collaboration between students and educators. The former can use the platform to create a class and provide their students with easy access to documents, lists, and assignments. After joining the classroom, students can see what assignments are due, join or open conversations on forums, or contact their teachers.
Why Using New Apps Is Important
Apps like Kahoot! and Google Classroom are not only useful in supporting traditional learning, but also in helping students to develop other new skills. They come with the significant advantage of equipping children with the digital skills they will need in the future, while also transforming learning into an easy and fun activity.
