Explore how these tools can help reduce administrative tasks and boost your efficiency as you head back to school. 📚
This guide is designed for teachers at all levels, from primary to high school, who are looking for ways to streamline their workflow and enhance classroom engagement.
As the new school year begins, teachers face an immense workload, often extending beyond school hours. On average, educators spend nearly 11 hours daily on lesson planning, administrative duties, emailing, and evaluating students' progress. Thankfully, advancements in technology have introduced several productivity tools to help manage these tasks. This article highlights five tools that can transform how teachers handle their responsibilities, giving them more time to engage with students.
1. ClassSwift - Enhancing Classroom Engagement 🎨
ClassSwift by ViewSonic is designed to make classroom interactions more engaging and easier to manage. Key features include:
▪️ Real-Time Feedback: Get instant feedback on student understanding.
▪️ Varied Assessment Methods: Use quizzes, sketches, and audio responses to measure learning.
▪️ AI-Powered Insights: Tailor lessons based on detailed performance reports.
▪️ Gamification Tools: Add timers and buzzers to make learning interactive.
Example: Use ClassSwift to quickly check how well students grasp new concepts introduced during the first week, ensuring no one falls behind.
2. Trello - Simple Project Management 📋
Trello organizes projects into boards, making it ideal for managing classroom activities and assignments. Key features include:
▪️ Visual Boards and Lists: Track tasks and assignments.
▪️ Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily move tasks through different stages.
▪️ Collaboration: Share boards with students and colleagues for joint projects.
▪️ Integrations & Add-Ons: Attach documents from Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and automate tasks with Power-Ups like Calendar and Card Repeater.
Example: Set up a Trello board for back-to-school tasks, including lesson plans, classroom setup, and student orientation.
3. Evernote - Organized Note-Taking 📝
Evernote helps teachers keep track of notes, ideas, and to-do lists in an organized manner. Key features include:
▪️ Note-Taking: Capture notes and ideas in different formats.
▪️ Task Management: Organize tasks and set reminders.
▪️ Document Scanning: Digitize paper documents for easy access.
▪️ Paperless: Edit notes easily, and keep everything centralized and searchable.
▪️ Sharing: Export notes as PDFs or share directly, controlling access rights.
Example: Use Evernote to organize lesson plans and ideas gathered during summer professional development.
Read more:
4. GoblinTools - Task and Time Management Support 🧠
GoblinTools is useful for educators and students with executive function challenges. Key features include:
▪️ Task Breakdown: Break complex tasks into manageable steps.
▪️ Organizational Support: Help students develop better organizational skills.
▪️ Generative AI: Provides detailed instructions and strategies for various tasks.
Example: Use GoblinTools to help students break down large projects into smaller tasks, ensuring they stay on track throughout the year.
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5. Kami - Better Feedback and Digital Workflow 💬
Kami is a Chrome extension that enhances feedback on student assignments. Key features include:
▪️ Annotations: Comment on PDFs, scanned documents, and images with text, drawings, and audio/video feedback.
▪️ Digital Workflow: Digitize worksheets and exams, streamline grading, and reduce clutter.
▪️ Accessibility: Designed to empower every student with inclusive learning tools.
▪️ AI-Powered Assessment: Quickly create assessments and provide insights on class performance.
Example: Use Kami to provide detailed feedback on students' first assignments, helping them understand expectations and areas for improvement.
Using these productivity tools can significantly reduce the administrative workload for teachers, allowing more focus on student engagement and learning. Tools like ClassSwift, Trello, Evernote, GoblinTools, and Kami help manage tasks efficiently and enhance the quality of education through tailored support and interactive learning opportunities.
Have you tried any of these tools? Share your experiences and let us know if there are other tools you find effective! 👇