What Tools are EdTech Coaches Using to Enhance Engagement?

The ISTE EdTech Coaches Network has been engaged in a Book Study and Slow Chat using the Hashtag #ETCoaches. The focus is on using technology to enhance learning and engage students. 

The weekly discussions have been great, but two questions this week really caught my interest.

I will be the first to tell you that you need to know why you are doing something before focusing on how or what. I do not believe that there is not a tech tool in existence that can enhance engagement if the teacher and the student don't know why they are using it. 

"Work with purpose is passion. Work without purpose is punishment."

Jillian Michaels

Here are some of the tech tools that the EdTech Coaches shared. I believe these are tools being used with a purpose in classrooms across the world. These are roughly in order, with the most mentioned first. 

What purpose could you find for each of these tools?

Padlet - It works like a sheet of paper where you can put anything (images, videos, documents, text) anywhere, from any device (pcs, tablets, phones), together with anyone.

Seesaw - Student driven digital portfolios and simple parent communication.

Flipgrid - A video response platform where educators can have online video discussions with students or other educators.

Pear Deck - Interactive, engaging slide presentations to your classroom. Real-time formative assessments and discussions enhance understanding and empower your students' learning process.

Kahoot - A game-based platform that makes learning awesome for millions of people all over the world.

Insert Learning - Insert instructional content on any web page. InsertLearning is a Chrome extension that lets you turn websites into interactive lessons.

EdPuzzle - Make any video your lesson. Pick a video, add your magical touch and track your students' understanding.

These are not the only tools mentioned, but they were the most common.