School classrooms rely on technology. From the technologies that fuel remote learning and provide access to a world of educational resources to those that facilitate interactive, personalized learning, never before have teachers and students had such influential tools at their disposal.
Even though the sky’s the limit, technology can still present challenges — with integration and the associated learning curve of using the software being among the most common.
Luckily, modern classroom software is generally simple to integrate and operate. Successful technology integration just takes some know-how. Read on as we cover six of the best classroom software, how to integrate them, and some operation tips along the way.
5 best classroom technologies, and how to integrate them
Nine out of 10 educators believe that educational technology has a positive impact on their students. And it’s no wonder why — with the rise of EdTech has come tools for personalized learning, remote access to education, centralized document management, and enhanced collaboration among students and teachers, and more.
Classroom technologies can be best thought of in categories. Among the most influential and impactful are digital devices, video conferencing tools, educational software suites, and learning management systems.
Schools also leverage classroom management software as a part of integrating technology properly and to ensure such tools are being used safely and according to their purposes.
Let’s consider each of these categories and how you can integrate them into your school’s classroom environment.
1. Digital devices
Typically, younger years use school computers while older students adopt the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model. However, as educational technology becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s also becoming more common for younger students to use their personal devices in the classroom.
Today, 85% of schools allow students and staff to use personal devices. Bradford Networks conducted an insightful study on the use of BYOD in classrooms across all age groups. In their research paper, they stated that:
“There is strong evidence that BYOD is a dominant model in educational settings at all levels. Putting technology in students’ hands is transforming the educational experience, not only in colleges and universities, but in K-12 schools as well. BYOD is fueling the transition as educators move from traditional lecture-based instruction to new models of learning, teaching and collaboration. Rather than resist this revolution in education, results suggest that more and more institutions are embracing it.”
Commonly, resistance won’t come from a place of denying the technology’s viability; rather, it stems from uncertainty regarding integration and operation. Adopting a BYOD model doesn’t need to be complex, but it does require a systematic approach that accounts for:
Security: Cybersecurity is a serious problem for K-12 schools. Often, malicious actors will gain access to sensitive information through human error, such as a student or staff member clicking a malware link or accidentally sharing passwords. Schools need to have cybersecurity policies in place, including:
- Implementing robust access controls.
- Ensuring regular security updates.
- Educating users about phishing and social engineering attacks.
- Deploying endpoint protection to safeguard both school networks and personal devices from potential threats.
- Leveraging cybersecurity monitoring technology.
Parameters: Schools must set policies that clearly communicate what students can and can’t do. This not only helps to keep students free from distractions and mitigate potential cyberthreats, but it also prevents students from accessing harmful online content. Schools, through the use of content filtering technologies, will commonly set these parameters automatically.
Access: Some students may not have access to a personal device. It’s the job of schools to ensure that students who don’t have a personal device don’t miss out on the educational opportunities that other students have.
Schools should update their device policies routinely — a practice that only approximately 25% of schools do annually. Updating your school’s device policies means considering current trends in classroom technology usage among students based on reliable data, changing cybersecurity threats, and feedback from staff and parents.
2. Video conferencing tools
Video conferencing tools were largely a foreign concept prior to COVID-19, but now they’re a part of everyday common practices.
Interestingly, 70% of students say they find online learning more effective than traditional teaching methods. The growing preference for online learning aligns with forecasts predicting that the number of users engaging with online platforms will reach 57 million by 2027, while the global e-learning market is projected to reach $457.8 billion by 2026.
Even for in-person settings, schools still use video conferencing tools to offer interactive activities and connect with subject matter experts, guest speakers, and other classrooms around the world. This enhances educational experiences by broadening the scope and diversity of learning opportunities available to students.
Video conferencing tools are easy to integrate. The most common tool for this is Zoom, which allows educators access to a range of tools, including:
- Multiple view options: Zoom provides various video layouts, such as gallery, speaker, and immersive views.
- Focus mode: Focus mode lets only the host see participants’ videos and shared screens.
- Breakout rooms: Breakout rooms facilitate small group interactions within the larger class.
- In-meeting chat: Zoom’s in-meeting chat feature enables students to communicate through text during classes, allowing for quiet participation and sharing of ideas.
- Polling: Polling in Zoom offers a quick way to engage students, gather their responses, and assess understanding during lessons.
- Whiteboards: Zoom’s whiteboard feature provides a digital space for teachers and students to draw, type, and collaborate visually during lessons.
To integrate Zoom into the classroom, you need to sign up under your organization’s Zoom account, download the Zoom client, and log in with your school-provided credentials through Single Sign-On (SSO). SSO allows you to access meetings securely and customize settings via the Zoom web portal.
More in-depth information on this, as well as other information on parent and student Zoom adoption, can be found here.
3. Educational software suites
Educational software suites refer to comprehensive collections of digital tools and platforms that facilitate a range of educational activities. These suites typically include applications for creating and managing content, assessing student performance, enhancing collaboration among students and teachers, and integrating multimedia resources into the learning process.
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are two common educational software suites. Here’s how they work.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace combines Classroom, Google Meet, Google Docs, Google Forms, and Google Chat. It also offers tools like Google Sheets for data analysis, Google Slides for presentations, Google Drive for cloud storage, Google Calendar for scheduling, and more.
To get started with Google Workspace in your classroom, sign up for Google Workspace for Education through your school’s administrator and complete the domain verification process. Next, access the Google Admin console to create classes in Google Classroom, invite students using their school email addresses, and configure the various tools that you would like to include.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 offers web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Copilot, alongside other classroom tools. A full list of Microsoft 365’s classroom tools can be found here. Note that for certain educational institutions, free or payment-variation plans are available.
To integrate Microsoft 365 into your classroom, sign up for Microsoft 365 for Education through your school’s administrator, verify your domain, and use the Microsoft Admin console to set up classes, invite students, and configure the necessary tools and applications.
4. Learning Management Systems (LMS)
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a platform that facilitates the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of education. It’s a centralized hub where educators can create and manage course content, assignments, assessments, and student communication.
Google Classroom is a popular LMS. With Google Classroom, educators can:
- Personalize learning
- Gain insights and visibility through analytics
- Enrich and support differentiated instruction with artificial intelligence (AI)
- Create interactive activities and assignments from existing PDFs and Google Forms
Educators can also use Google Classroom to reinforce concepts with self-paced learning, enhance lessons with popular EdTech integrations, and simplify and connect grading workflows.
Moreover, they can manage classes at scale by syncing with student information systems, distribute high-quality class templates and curricula, and allow parents and guardians to view assigned classwork.
It’s easy to integrate Google Classroom. If you’re using a mobile device, start by downloading the Google Classroom app from your device’s app store (available on both iOS and Android). Once installed, open the app and sign in with your Google account credentials. After signing in, you can choose to create a new class, join an existing class as a co-teacher, accept a provisioned class invitation, or invite students to your class (though inviting students can be done at a later stage). Once your class is set up, you can begin utilizing various Classroom features directly from your mobile device.
If you’re using a desktop, navigate to the Google Classroom website by visiting classroom.google.com and sign in with your Google account. After signing in, you have the option to create a new class, join a class as a co-teacher, accept a provisioned class, or invite students to your class (inviting students can be deferred if needed).
5. Classroom management software
Classroom management software allows other technologies and resources to be used safely and optimally — preventing access to harmful material and reducing susceptibility to cyber threats.
Not all classroom management software is made equal. At ManagedMethods, we’re about to release an advanced software called Classroom Manager that allows educators to:
- Offer customized learning: Using the ‘Scenes’ feature, teachers can granularly determine what content is accessible and what isn’t. Teachers can also adjust content access protocols in real-time based on the specific needs of certain students or groups.
- Keep students focused: Teachers can easily monitor student activity on their devices, restrict access to inappropriate content, and guide them toward resources that enhance learning.
- Gain centralized control: All Classroom Manager capabilities can easily operate through its centralized platform. It doesn’t require specialized expertise; instead, Classroom Manager is designed specifically with an intuitive design, making it easy for teachers to use so they can get back to what they do best.
Ensure your students are safe while using classroom technology, with ManagedMethods
With Classroom Manager by ManagedMethods, you gain access to the most advanced, next-generation classroom monitoring software. This cloud-based platform enables teachers to effortlessly oversee student activities on their devices, manage access to content, and tailor resources to meet individual student needs.
