We use so many edtech tools for teaching, learning, and assessment on a daily basis. Some of these we use because we have district- and school-wide licensees to do so, while others are tools that we may have used while in our teacher preparation programs or read about in Tech & Learning!
Regardless of the tool, it can be difficult to get effective training, and there are likely key features that are being underutilized.
While school-led professional development can be helpful, there are online professional learning communities on various edtech websites that can be leveraged. Also, some of these community spaces offer the chance to monetize your work.
Here is a summary of six online edtech professional learning spaces.
Canva for Teachers Community
Canva offers a global online community of millions of educators worldwide. Within this, there are opportunities to learn how other educators are using Canva in their own teaching as well as learning early on about new Canva features. Sub communities can also be found via Facebook groups that are organized by country. A unique opportunity within the Canva for Teachers Community is the chance to become a Canva Creator, through which you can contribute to the Canva template and resources available for other teachers, and even receive royalties as compensation.
Curipod Teacher Community
Through a private Facebook page, Curipod provides online resources and collaborative opportunities for teachers to connect around their use of the tool. On the Curipod website, there is also a blog that covers a wide range of content. Recent blog posts include “Breaking language barriers for young developing multilinguals” and “The complete guide to social emotional learning (SEL) including engaging activities.”
Kahoot! Community
Kahoot! offers opportunities to earn while contributing to resources that other educators can use. Two pathways for joining the Kahoot! community include becoming a verified creator or ambassador. The Kahoot! community is also an international space, where you can connect through messaging, join a private Facebook, and meet in person at Kahoot!-sponsored events.
Quizizz Teacher Blog
Quizizz offers a teacher blog space with articles and topics relevant to using the tool. Educator stories are highlighted, including details on how Quizizz is being used, challenges overcome, and unique ways that teachers are approaching teaching using Quizizz. Tips and Resources provided have accompanying recorded videos and webinars. Case studies sharing stories of school district and classroom use of Quizizz that may be similar to your own learning environment are also available.
Quizlet Be the Change
For resources to tackle content related to societal issues, Quizlet has created an online space for educators. From NPR and The New York Times, it has the intent to support students in becoming educated, empathic, and empowered to the world around them. Some of the lesson plans and study sets provide support for students to become change agents and focus on mental, activism, and class
Scratch Discussions
Scratch offers an online forum for educators to connect as they use the tool in their teaching. Various topics on the forum are organized by overarching categories, including “Welcome to Scratch,” “Making Scratch Projects,” “About Scratch,” “Interest Beyond Scratch,” and “Scratch Around the World.” The topics of conversation are endless, and you can highlight what you are doing in the classroom, make suggestions, troubleshoot, collaborate, gain project ideas, and more.
As you spend time engaging with different edtech PLC’s and utilizing the varied resources, you will see various ways to incorporate tools into lessons. To get you started, these related sample lessons plans may also be helpful:
