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
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for sharing such an honest and relatable reflection, your post made me smile more than once! I completely felt the “Wi-Fi struggle is real” line….. it’s wild how dependent we’ve become on tech, and yet how grateful we are for what it allows us to do. I really appreciated your shoutout to tools like Chalk and Clever, I heard they truly do streamline the day in ways that paper planners and passwords never could. And the way you’ve embraced student-centered platforms like IXL, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Kahoot really shows how tech isn’t just a teacher tool, but something that actively supports engagement and learning for students too.
Your point about being able to monitor student progress in real time resonated with me especially with large class sizes it was such a hassle for me when I was teaching a large class back in Nigeria. It really is one of the biggest benefits of these tools: more feedback, more connection, more insight into student learning as it’s happening.
And don’t worry, you’re not alone on the Stock Images mystery. Tech wins most of the time, but it always throws us one little curveball!
Thanks again for this great reflection. It’s inspiring to see how many ways we can make tech meaningful, even if we’re still learning as we go.
Hi Danielle,
I couldn’t imagine life without technology either…. When the Wi-Fi goes down, it seriously feels like the whole world will stop! It’s amazing how much we’ve come to rely on tech for staying organized and connected to our students. I love that your students get to learn all these technologies right in your classroom. How awesome they get to learn this all within your class. I swear my kids are better at computer stuff then me and its because of their classroom teachers!!
Jill
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for your great post! I love how often you are able to integrate technology in your classroom. It is inspiring to me because I often struggle to find meaningful ways to integrate technology. I think that the more practice students can get with technology, the better equipped they will be for our digital world. Thank you for being a teacher that intentionally integrates technology into your day!