It’s hard to imagine life without technology. In my everyday school life, it would be nearly impossible to function without it so when the Wi-Fi isn’t working, the struggle is real! It really makes you wonder how teachers ever got by without the tech tools we now rely on.

This year, I finally said goodbye to my paper day plan and switched to Chalk, and I love it. It’s easy to use and saves automatically… what more could you ask for? Another frequently used app in our division is Clever, which acts as a hub for many other programs and makes logging in much easier. Students also have access to their own accounts, which opens the door to a wide range of interactive online tools. Below are some of my favourites (some mandatory), but there are many more!

Students are regularly on their computers, and for good reason. A few apps that they use almost daily include:

• OneNote for class content and organization
• IXL and Esti Mysteries for extra math practice
• Word, PowerPoint, and Canva for assignments
• Kahoot when we want to have a little fun as a class

What I love about these tools is how collaborative they can be. Whether students are working in pairs or groups, or I’m actively participating and monitoring their progress most of these apps offer an interactive element. I actually find that students are more motivated when they know I can follow their work in real time. With larger class sizes, it’s a huge bonus to be able to monitor everyone at once, rather than just a few students at a time.

Of course, there are countless other apps out there I haven’t even explored yet. But the point I’m trying to make is that we’ve come to rely on technology so heavily in the classroom that it’s hard to imagine going back. These tools are more than just helpful, they’re essential. Technology allows us not only to connect within the classroom, but with anyone, anywhere.

As I sit here reflecting on what I just wrote, I’m actually kind of impressed by how much technology is a part of my day. And yet… I still can’t figure out how to get Stock Images to work on my blog.

Have a great evening, everyone!

Danielle