As schools shut down and learning turned remote, this equitable access to educational technology went from being something we were aspiring toward to a downright emergency.

Throughout the pandemic, the educational equity gaps became illuminated. Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Roberto Rodríguez said it correctly when he said, “We’ve all understood that digital equity is no longer a “nice-to-have” condition, but a “must-have” to ensure that all may fully participate in the digital economy and society of today and tomorrow.”

As Rodríguez pointed out, digital equity is critical not just when the world is going through a pandemic but to ensure all students can become successful and contributing members today and in their future working worlds.

What exactly is digital equity, what is the state of digital equity in schools, and what are some strategies for closing the digital equity gap?

What is Digital Equity?

In a simplified definition, digital equity encompasses making sure all students have equal access to technology when it comes to devices, software, and the internet.

Additionally, students must have trained educators to help them navigate those tools. When any of these components are lacking, individuals will not be able to have full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.

It may not seem that dire, but then consider that all students today are digital natives. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.

The State of Digital Equity in Schools

By many standards, the state of digital equity in schools is in crisis. For example, when it comes to the quality and type of students’ home broadband access, we have a problem.

Broadband access has been shown to impact a student’s participation in classes directly, their performance outcomes, and their overall digital literacy. One source even highlights that insufficient access to high-quality and reliable internet makes students less likely to plan for postsecondary education.

This, in turn, impacts their lifetime potential for their career earnings. When 32 percent of U.S households are considered “subscription vulnerable” (meaning these families are unable to afford and maintain internet services), we have a huge disparity in students’ digital literacy access and success. What are some strategies for closing the digital equity gap?

Strategies for Closing the Digital Equity Gap

Now that we know what digital equity is and how greatly it is affecting schools, what are some strategies we can start thinking about and working towards overcoming? Finding ways to provide affordable technology and internet access to all students would help eliminate some large inequalities.

Internet Service Providers

The Office of Broadband Development at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (as well as many other states) have created an interactive map where you can enter an address and find out which companies have service available for your location.

Links are easily accessible, so you can check to see what the companies offer and if they provide any discounted services. This is also a good resource for teachers to provide to families, or as a starting point for districts to help find the appropriate internet service providers.

Digital Literacy Training

While many teachers are familiar with what it means to be digitally literate, many parents and even students have never heard of that expression.

Another strategy to help close the digital equity gap is to provide digital literacy training to students, parents, and teachers.

This could mean having a digital literacy night where parents come and learn what it means to raise a digitally literate child and what cool opportunities technology has to redefine learning.

Discussions could include common digital literacy standards such as information literacy and how to identify credible sources; ethical use of digital resources and how to properly cite information; understanding digital footprints and the permanent mark they leave; protecting yourself online and handling digital communication; and the big one, cyberbullying. Parents, sometimes just as much as students, can benefit from familiarizing themselves with these core digital literacy standards.

Students often begin learning about these digital standards with grade level appropriate language as early as kindergarten.

As students progress through the grades, language and conversations around digital topics deepen as students connect and learn with devices in ever evolving ways.

Teachers, parents, and the students themselves need to keep these digital equity topics on the forefront of their teaching, planning, and learning.

Meaningful Uses of Technology

Lastly, another strategy for closing the digital equity gap is by providing students with meaningful uses of technology in the classroom.

Educational technology has always been meant to provide a redefinition of learning, and far too often it is used for substitution.

When teachers plan for integrating technology into their lessons, it may be helpful to keep the SAMR model on the forefront of their planning:

• Substitution
• Augmentation
• Modification
• Redefinition

Does the technology they are planning for replace something that otherwise could be done to the same degree of achievement without a device?

Or does it help create a more personalized, differentiated, and meaningful learning experience?

Does technology help to take the lesson further than it would be capable of going without the use of tech?

These are all questions that help shape students and their classrooms into 21st century learning.

Ever since the spring of 2020, it has been clearer than ever that access to technology is not equitable. If we want to ensure that all students can become successful and contributing members in their future working worlds, we need to continue thinking about what digital equity is, the state of digital equity in schools, and the strategies we can use to help close the digital equity gap.

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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Virtual Learning Platforms

One virtual learning platform that should stay (or quickly be added) to your teaching tool kit is Code.org. Code became famous for its wealth of resources when it came to the popular “Hour of Code” worldwide event. But if you aren’t familiar with this global movement, let me back up for a moment. Code is a coding platform that teaches students how to code without intimidating set ups or big initial time commitments.

Free to users, Code.org offers coding tutorials based on already popular games like Minecraft and more. There are options for elementary, middle, and high school students and over 200 million projects created. Whether you are a first-time coder or an expert, this platform has something for everyone.

Learning Management System

Google Classroom was created in 2014 as a free public application. These type of learning management systems were designed with the help of educators to make communication, collaboration, and the managing of assignments easier for everyone. It is continuously revamping its features and improving its functionality so teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning. Teachers can use Google Classroom to manage classes, assign assignments, give real-time feedback, post announcements, and even strike engaging question-driven virtual discussions. An oldie, but a goodie, when it comes to LMS, this one seems to be here to stay. 

Collaboration Tools

In the United States, there are 40 million students who are growing up in underserved and immigrant communities. How can teachers effectively communicate with families coming from a variety of countries, with a variety of cultures and backgrounds? There isn’t one quick answer to this loaded question, but there is a good place to start. TalkingPoints is a non-profit organization that is solely focused on engaging families of under-resourced and multilingual communities.

How it works is that teachers can use either a web browser or mobile app to send messages to families. TalkingPoints translates these messages into one of 145 languages. Parents read the message in their preferred language and can message back. TalkingPoints is the only platform invested in enhanced translation, contextualized for education, and uses AI and human translators to ensure the message is delivered in the way it was intended.

Social Emotional 

There has been a huge push in schools to place focus on students’ social and emotional learning. One ed tech tool that is available to help with that is called Along. Along is a free digital platform that teachers implement to reflect and deepen student-teacher connections. This regular check-in tool makes building relationships with students easier and helps keep connections strong. Teachers begin by choosing from a database of research-informed questions and resources.

They take this prompt and add their own response before sharing it with students. Students receive the prompt, listen to their teacher’s response, and then create a video, text, or audio response. The response is posted privately back to the teacher. Along allows educators to ask questions and pose thoughts. Students get the opportunity to respond in a non-threatening, private way. Help your class feel they belong by trying out Along!

Literacy Support

Wish there was a way to get students standards-aligned news articles on current events and engaging topics on a regular basis? Look no further than The Juice. This platform is designed for students in grades fifth through twelfth. It delivers five current event articles at four different reading levels each day. The article includes vocabulary builders, formative standards-based assessments, infographics, and STEAM video content. These unbiased current events articles include scaffolds to help support low readers and English learners. The real-time diagnostic insights give teachers at-a-glance information to help progress monitor students on their comprehension and understanding.

Educational Games

Now for the fun part: educational games. Prodigy is one that has been around for a handful of years and still seems to remain at the top of students’ favorites list. If you are not familiar with this game-based learning platform for math and English, today’s the day. As students compete in battles or build their own worlds, content specific questions are being delivered through the adaptive algorithm.

Student data appears on the teacher’s dashboard to track students’ real-time progress. Teachers can assign specific topics or standards to their class and the number of questions the students should be asked on each standard. Prodigy is even more engaging for students because they can find their classmates within the game and meet them in the various worlds.

Assessment Tools

Hopefully you are familiar with the game-based learning platform, Kahoot. If not, here is a popular assessment tool to try in your classroom today! Teachers create their Kahoot (or access one already made in the library) and play it in their group setting. Students join the game using a unique PIN. Once everyone is in the game and it has begun, students race to answer the questions being displayed on a larger screen (Smartboard, Apple TV, etc.)

Teachers can embed pictures or video clips to further engage students. The students’ answers are saved, and the teacher can later access them in order to better check for understanding on the content. Students love playing Kahoot and teachers love how simple it is to implement into the classroom on a regular basis.

What are the best educational technology tools of 2023? There are so many out there! But hopefully, you find the list above to be favorites in your classroom. Whether you try out coding with Code, TalkingPoints to better connect your families, or along to develop more authentic relationships with your students, these educational technology tools are certain to engage and excite your students in this new 2023-2024 school year!

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

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Reasons to Assign a Student Blog Assignment

Assigning a student blog assignment can be a powerful educational tool with numerous benefits. Here is why you should consider implementing student blogs into your curriculum.

Encourages Critical Thinking

Blogging allows students to express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Through the process of writing, students refine their critical thinking skills and enhance their ability to analyze and evaluate information. Blogs also facilitate continuous dialogue, which enables peers and teachers to provide feedback. This feedback helps to foster a culture of constructive criticism which is a great way to help students learn what they need to improve upon.

Promotes Self Reflection

Student blogs catalyze student reflection, prompting students to look inside themselves and contemplate their thoughts and experiences. By regularly writing and sharing their thoughts and experiences on a blog, students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning journey. This in turn helps students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their personal growth. Blogging also helps students develop metacognitive awareness, essentially becoming aware of their own thinking processes, which can help them identify their strengths or areas they need to improve upon.

Encourages Self-Expression

Blogs provide a personal space for students to share their thoughts, interests, and experiences. It allows them to have a voice and share their perspectives. When students can choose topics that resonate with them, it allows them to express themselves fostering individuality and self-confidence. This freedom of expression allows students to explore different writing formats, find their own unique writing style, and express themselves visually through their creative choices that reflect their individuality.

Advances Technological Skills

In this digital world, proficiency in using online tools is vital, especially in school. By assigning blog projects, we, as teachers, can empower our students to develop their technological skills. Students will learn how to navigate blogging platforms, embed multimedia content, and optimize their writing for an online audience. They will learn the fundamentals of web design, hyperlinking, source attribution, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), as well as collaboration and networking. These skills are invaluable in today’s workforce, where effective communication through digital mediums is essential.

Enhances Writing Skills

Regular blog writing encourages students to refine their writing abilities. The consistent practice of writing helps students improve their writing skills, such as grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall clarity of expression. It also helps them develop their own unique voice. Knowing their words will be read by others may encourage students to pay more attention to their writing quality, resulting in better quality sentence structure and effective communication.

Develops Communication Skills

Blogging cultivates communication skills because it requires students to express their ideas clearly in written form. Through student writing, they must organize their thoughts and concisely present their information. Blogging also encourages students to engage with their readers through online discussions and responding to readers’ comments. This interactive communication of online writing helps students refine their ability to engage with others through active listening and constructive dialogue.

It also helps students develop thoughtful responses since they understand their words carry weight and will be online forever. Additionally, engaging with diverse readers encourages students to consider different perspectives which helps them to appreciate other’s viewpoints, promoting communication through thoughtful and considerate responses with diverse audiences.

Increases Ownership of Learning

Assigning blog projects allows students to take ownership of their learning. Students become more engaged and motivated by choosing topics that resonate with their interests. Blogging allows them to explore their passions, enabling deeper learning and personal growth. Not to mention, the sense of ownership and autonomy encourages students to invest more effort, time, and commitment into their work.

Builds Students’ Digital Portfolios

Creating a student blog acts as a digital portfolio, showcasing students’ progress, achievements, and growth throughout the year. This compilation of work can be shared with peers, parents, and potential employers or college admissions officers. The blog serves as a tangible record of their accomplishments and demonstrates their ability to articulate ideas effectively. This digital portfolio also serves as a valuable resource for self-presentation, college applications, job interviews, and any future endeavors, allowing students to highlight their skills, accomplishments, and growth in a visually appealing and easily accessible platform.

Student blogs have emerged as a powerful educational technological tool for enhancing student learning. Through student blogs, learners can develop valuable skills such as effective communication, critical thinking, and technological abilities. Students become adept at expressing themselves with clarity and through meaningful discussions with diverse readers. Moreover, they have the freedom to explore their unique interests which helps them to gain a deep understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Today, student blogs can equip learners with the skills necessary to thrive in this digital era, preparing them to thrive in this ever-changing technological world.

Interested in educational technology and want to expand your knowledge? Check out our available educational technology graduate programs and get started today!

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What are some key things to keep in mind when it comes to discussing digital wellness with students? What are some simple lessons or activities teachers can use with their students today to start getting them thinking about their wellness when it comes to technology and educational technology use?

The Importance of Digital Wellness

According to a study cited by CNN, students who interact with their cell phones during class were found to perform worse on tests – often a full letter grade or more. Additionally, if a student had their phone within reach (even if they weren’t actually using it), their academic performance declined. This study shows just how distracting it is to always have a phone accessible. Our brains are wired to always be thinking about who we can connect with, social media we can look at, or games we can be playing. It can be hard for adults, and even harder for students, to block out and resist the urges to reach for that phone at any given moment of the day. This also helps when it comes to developing technology addiction.

This is why teaching students how to be digitally healthy is so important. Teachers should teach students how to be mindful and intentional about technology use. They can have discussions on digital literacy and web safety that include identifying credible sources of information, distinguishing between real and fake content, and bringing to students that the things they see on social media platforms are not always a realistic picture of someone’s life.

Encouraging these healthy boundaries with technology and instilling healthy habits will set our students to succeed in so many other areas of their well-being. What are some simple lessons to try with your students today that will help get them thinking about their digital wellness?

Lessons to Try With Your Students Today

PreK to First Grade: Compare and Contrast — What Makes You Happy Online/Offline

Even students as young as kindergarten and first grade come to school already having previous technology experiences. They were born into a digital world, and their entire lives will include technology, whether in their home, classroom, or future careers. This makes it essential for this age group to learn how to be digitally well. This simple activity is one way to get students to start thinking of digital wellness.

Have students compare and contrast things they love about technology and things they love that do not involve technology. Bring students together to share their ideas. Then discuss together why students think it is good to have a balance in their life. Ideas may include many things they love to do, so they have games to play when technology is not available, or even so that they can better interact and engage with friends. In the future, when they are told it isn’t time to use a device, you can refer back to the things they brainstormed that they love that do not involve technology.

Second Grade to Third Grade: I Am a Digital Citizen — Poster Creation

To help shape students’ digital wellness for students in second through third grade, have them create a poster called: “I am a digital citizen.” Students begin by drawing a self-portrait.

Then, have them write bullet points around their portrait that show digital citizenship. Ideas may include:

• Only going on websites their parents or teachers have approved.
• Understanding that the content on websites belongs to someone.
• Knowing that the things they put on the internet are there forever even if deleted.

Showcase these posters by having the class participate in a gallery walk or use ChatterPix Kids to record their poster talking.

Fourth to Fifth Grade: Create a Balanced Media Plan

This age of students can start reflecting on balanced technology use. Begin the lesson by proposing the questions “What is media balance?” Have students create a plan for healthy and balanced media use in their lives. What parts of their day are best to use technology during? How long should they spend on technology during these time frames? What are things in their day they will be doing that do not involve technology? Create a 24-hour schedule that shows what their days are like, when it is appropriate to include technology, and when they could or should be doing other things.

Grades Sixth+: Deescalating Digital Drama — Comic Strip

For students in grades six and up, cyberbullying is a huge topic and extremely important to discuss. According to dosomething.org, 60% of young people have witnessed online bullying and most do not intervene. These statistics need to change. Begin the conversation with students by having them create a comic that shows cyberbullying. Have the students make sure to include someone stepping in and standing up to the problem. Make this an opportunity for some to share their own experiences and how it made them feel. The more awareness that is brought to a situation the better prepared the students will be when they themselves face something similar.

We are aware of what we need to do to live a healthy life; eat well, sleep, and exercise. Yet now that technology and ed tech is such a big part of our world, and our students’ worlds, we need to broaden our ideas on health to include digital wellness. This topic needs to begin at a young age and continue lifelong. By incorporating simple lessons and activities into classrooms, students will be familiar with, and well-equipped to, start thinking about media usage, healthy technology boundaries, and overall digital wellness.

Interested in educational technology and want to expand your knowledge? Check out our available educational technology graduate programs and get started today!

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This form of notetaking can be even more meaningful for students as it allows for a functional system where students can write, create, and explore ideas all in the same place. What exactly is an interactive journal, how can these journals promote student agency, and why is student agency an important component when it comes to educating the whole child?

What are Interactive Journals?

Interactive journals are exactly how the name sounds; journals that students create and interact with. They go beyond a simple notebook where students take notes (and usually forget about them, rarely referring back to them.) Interactive journals get information onto a page using more of the students’ senses.

This helps to engage the student better. These journals use different texts and images, sometimes cutting and gluing (or copy/pasting), and in general, students get to personalize the contents of their journal. Some interactive journals are entirely virtual as well and can be used as an ed tech project.

Many interactive journals start with students creating a cover page. This allows students to start with some personalization, label with their name, and include any details a teacher may need when checking the journal (class period, grade, etc.)

Students then create a living table of contents page where they leave room in the future to record what is on each page. Teachers often keep a running master table of contents visibly displayed in the classroom for students to use if they get lost in their journal.

Finally, students number every page. This can be tedious, but makes sure that everyone in the class is, literally, on the right page.

Once the notebook is set up, students are ready to start adding to it. Not only can students take traditional notes, but there are so many other options for materials to add to their interactive notebooks. Concept maps, graphs, articles, pictures, diagrams, sketches, foldables, brochures, or even comic strips.

Anything that is going to help students solidify their learning and have the information they can later refer back to, is fair game. Many students love that these notebooks become an academic scrapbook. Others love that they are more “user friendly” and easier to locate information than pages upon pages of handwritten text.

Interactive notebooks give a landing place for student learning, help to diversify notetaking, and give students more choices when it comes to solidifying learning.

Promoting Student Agency with Interactive Journals

If you aren’t sold on interactive journals quite yet for student notes, another valuable aspect for using them is their ability to promote student agency.

According to an article entitled, “Student Agency, Promoting Student Engagement,” student agency is a term that describes the learning process that includes the implementation of a variety of activities. These activities are considered both meaningful and important to learners.

Student agency means that students become the agents of their learning and the teachers become the facilitators. By giving students a voice and choice in their learning, they become more invested in their work and in turn, have a deeper understanding of the material they need to learn (Kathryn Starke, 2021).

In addition to becoming agents of their own learning and projects, interactive journals also motivate students to study. They have a personalized study guide that they better understand, have invested in, and connect to.

Why is Student Agency Important?

What are some other reasons student agency is so important? Student agency is a very important component to add to any and every classroom.

Independence

Along with the reasons mentioned above, student agency and student ownership fosters independence. It teaches students that there are a variety of ways they can learn new information, retain information, and revisit information.

It lets them make choices with notetaking and adds that level of student choice to how they want to go about doing so. It also lets students be creative. They no longer have to record notes only in written sentences.

They can make comics, draw or add pictures from online, physically cut and glue, or insert a brochure. Students love having a say in their learning, and interactive journals allow for that creative choice to come to life.

Confidence

Additionally, student agency builds confidence. Students can experiment with many notetaking forms and decide what works best for them. Maybe they learn better by writing down everything they hear. Maybe they need to draw diagrams to compare and contrast material.

Or maybe sketching pictures allows them the best way to process what they are learning. Regardless of how they take notes, interactive journals allow for the practice students need to explore their notetaking needs.

And what better tool could teachers give students as they prepare to be college and career ready than giving students the understanding of how they learn best.

Interested in educational technology and want to expand your knowledge? Check out our available educational technology graduate programs and get started today!

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Moving forward, technology will always be familiar to students, but there are some things that students today may need to familiarize themselves with when it comes to being a digital citizen. What is digital citizenship for kids, what type of information should students be careful to share, what does one need to know about copyright, and what is cyberbullying?

What is Digital Citizenship and Why is it So Important?

According to the International Society for Technology in Education, or ISTE, digital citizenship goes beyond the ability to use technology responsibly. It is about being an active and contributing citizen of the digital world. Students need to learn how to show respect to others, even when they are hiding behind the comfort of their computer screen.

With the ability to connect to millions of people worldwide, there is so much to learn about when it comes to understanding and respecting others from different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. The technology world is a very powerful one, which is why learning to be a positive digital citizen is so critical.

Digital Citizenship to Teach Your Students

Private Information

When it comes to technology and privacy, there are many things users need to fully understand. Because of this murk, personal privacy can be at risk. There is one organization who has created a landing base of information to help students better understand their safety and rights when it comes to sharing information.

The website, Teaching Privacy, is an informative website created by computer science professors partnered with educators at the University of California-Berkeley. The website breaks down privacy into ten principles, creating a sort of digital citizenship curriculum.

These principles include “You’re Leaving Footprints”, “Information is Valuable”, “Someone Could Listen”, and “Privacy Requires Work,” to name just a few. For every principal, there are articles included that provide examples of situations where someone misunderstood their privacy rights.

For example, one article wrote about how a man tried, and failed, to sue his family over an unwanted Facebook photo he was tagged in.

The website also provides educators with ideas on what they can do to ensure privacy in all areas, as well as a guide on ways to better control your own privacy. What it means to have “private information” on the internet is hard to understand, but this particular resource sheds a much-needed light on it.

Copyright 

Computers make it so easy to copy, paste, share, and create. Convenient and easy, but it also can make a thin line between casually sharing work and breaking laws. Copyright is the legal concept that art, writing, images, music, and more, belong to the people who create them.

This means that any original content one creates is their personal property. If others copy their work and pretend it is their own, they can run into legal trouble. If you are going to refer to someone else’s work, be sure to cite where you got the work from to give credit to the owner.

If you are going to use, change, or copy someone else’s work, you will need permission from the owner. This license you obtain will give you the permission needed to use their work. When in doubt, be sure to include where and who you got the information from in order to avoid any chance of copyright infringement.          

Cyberbullying

Bullying is not an unfamiliar word. In fact, it gets thrown around so often that sometimes people only understand the surface level definition. According to the American Psychological Association, bullying is a form of aggressive behavior where someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Bullying can be both physical and emotional.

Now enter the internet. Information is now able to be spread within seconds. Which means bullying has taken on a whole new life. Think about how easy hurtful comments can be posted on platforms such as Facebook or Twitter. Or pictures that can be shared without someone’s permission.

With the prevalence of social media platforms, opportunities for harassment are endless. This new form of bullying described above is known as cyberbullying. This form of bullying has unique concerns as it can be persistent, permanent, and hard to notice. All states have laws that require schools to respond to bullying.

So, if you hear or see something, say something.

Technology is a huge part of our lives, and educational technology is a huge part of teaching. We work with it, learn with it, and play with it.

Students from here on out will be digital natives; us educators must teach students what it means to be a digital citizen and know digital literacy.

This way, students will learn how to positively contribute to the technological world and be respectful of all the members that make up it.

Interested in educational technology and want to expand your knowledge? Check out our available educational technology graduate programs and get started today!

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Regardless, some may say that back in 1912 with the creation of the American Cracker Jack snack, gamification also came to life. While Cracker Jack may not be gamified in its modern sense, the use of fun and a prize entices people to buy (play, complete, engage, etc.), which is what gamification is all about.

How did gamification continue to rise from the start of its creation, and why is gamification a very suitable educational technology trend?

The Rise of the Gamification in Education

The American Cracker Jack snack provided buyers with the incentive to not only enjoy a delicious snack, but with the purchase of any box you also gained a hidden treasure.

In the same era, but with a slightly different format, 1908 Boy Scouts of America also exhibited an example of gamification when they adopted their badge system. With the badge system, Boy Scouts earn badges over time as they progress through various areas of knowledge.

They wear these badges on their uniform to showcase their accomplishments. The motivation of seeing other fellow scouts obtain and display badges was encouragement for others to work towards the same goals.

Both Cracker Jacks and Boy Scouts are early examples of gamification. When the gamification entered the educational scene, it was seen in similar ways. Students would earn toys or stickers for the completion of work. Other classrooms use visual badges (sticker, star, etc.) to represent students’ hard work. Transforming into this day and age, gamification often involves technology.

There are hundreds (dare I say thousands) of apps and programs that incentivize students with digital coins, stars, or virtual stores where they can buy pretend objects upon completion of their assignments. For many students, gamification is the tool they need to engage, excite, and spark interest in their learnings.

So why is gamification such a suitable ed tech trend, how can it be used in classrooms, and why is it particularly intriguing post-pandemic?

Gamification is an Extremely Valuable Ed Tech Trend

Gamification is a classroom tool that continues to trend all over the world. Students love that they can earn various items as they progress through levels.

Teachers also love using gamification because it encourages students to stick with the material being taught and, in turn, further solidify the content at hand. There are many ways gamification can be used in classrooms through education games, and more.

Ways to Increase Gamification in Education

Below we will explore several ways to gamify your classroom activities that are user-friendly, easy to implement, and sure to be favorites for your students.

Goose Chase

Students love a good scavenger hunt. With GooseChase you can mix the fun of a traditional hunt with technology to gamify your planned activity.

How it works is that teachers build scavenger hunts from the “Game Manager” portion of the website. You can then add missions that students complete by submitting photos, videos, text responses, or check-in points, or simply as an engaging classroom game.

This is a fun way to review for a test:

• “Find an example of a liquid and take a photo of it.”

Get to know a new space:

• “Find the poster of our class rules and record yourself reading one of them.”

Kahoot!

Kahoot! is another great way to add some gamification to your classroom. If you are not familiar with this very popular tool, here is your push to try it out.

This game-based learning platform lets students race against each other as they answer questions created by their teacher. Educators can create questions as a unit introduction, as a review for a test, or as a get-to-know-you activity.

There is also a library of pre-made games that cover a variety of topics, so you are likely to be able to find just what you are looking for without taking the time to generate your own quiz. This is a fan favorite for many and will likely be for your students as well!

Classcraft

Classcraft is a free, online educational tool that links teachers with their students to monitor and motivate behavior. Students can level up, work in teams, and earn various powers as they work to follow expected behavior.

Students feel motivated by the custom avatars and enjoy receiving feedback from their peers and teachers. Through reviews, many educators are saying that Classcraft has helped them revive their classrooms as they get back into a “normal” school year, post-pandemic.

Breakout EDU

Breakout EDU is another excellent way to gamify learning and engage students of all levels. The standards-aligned games challenge players as they apply their content knowledge in collaborative ways.

Students uncover clues alongside their peers as they set off on an enriching adventure to unlock the mission. Whether you as a teacher are looking for a five-minute daily activity or enter a full-on immersive experience, Breakout EDU is worth a second look.

Whether or not you were a member of the Boy Scouts or have tried Cracker Jacks, you probably have been motivated one way or another with some incentive. Gamification has combined playing games with obtaining prizes. In education, gamification has become a phenomenon that helps redesign and supercharge learning through classroom games.

Adding a competitive edge with games like Kahoot!, creating engaging activities with GooseChase, or simply assigning a fun BreakoutEDU puzzle can help reignite and revamp learning.

Interested in educational technology and want to expand your knowledge? Check out our available educational technology graduate programs and get started today!

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During the 2020 school year, educators not only found themselves in the middle of a pandemic, but also reinventing education as we know it. School districts shifted instructional delivery from face-to-face learning to online learning in a matter of days to ensure students are able to access adequate instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic as many cities were ordered to stay home. Within weeks, educators implemented new technology strategies with little training or sufficient time for planning. Some educators embraced technology, while others struggled to implement and effectively use it. School districts are now charged with ensuring all teachers are proficient with technology skills to support the foundation of online learning and blended learning for students.

Where Should You Start?

Campus leaders should take a grassroots effort approach to help teachers learn new technology. There must be a clear vision and purpose for teachers to embrace the new norm of using technology in schools (Anderson, 2003). Growth mindset is critical for teachers to positively embrace using new technology in the classroom and in the online delivery platforms. Teachers have to approach learning about technology with the mindset that student achievement will be enhanced as we prepare students for a global world post high school. Therefore, the quest to help teachers learn new technology should be a shared and collective vision as all educators are responsible for ensuring students are equipped for their future (Culatta, 2019).

Once collective efficacy among teachers is established, leaders should assess the tech proficiency of staff to determine their significant needs. Teachers may be at different levels of technology proficiency and should not all be treated the same when planning for professional development delivery. Classroom observation data, self-reflection feedback from teachers, and giving teachers choice to a variety of technology professional development sessions are great platforms to help teachers grow their technology skills.

Technology savvy teachers should be the first to lead professional development and mentor their peers. They can also coordinate long-range planning to ensure teachers can effectively implement technology in all content areas. Technology vendors and consultants could provide ongoing support for teachers as technology is ever changing in the field of education. Campus leaders need to plan a budget to secure the necessary training and equipment to support the sustained use of technology for instructional delivery and provide a cycle of feedback to teachers on a consistent basis.

Teachers must also be able to set up technology equipment and troubleshoot basic software. For example, knowledge of how to properly set up laptops, desktops, install printers and scanners, cameras, and other supporting equipment can alleviate stressors that come along with learning new technology. One cannot assume that all educators have the basic knowledge and skills of managing technology equipment. Technology accessories can be intimidating if basic set up skills are not the norm for teachers. Most campuses and school districts have technology specialists dedicated to maintaining technology equipment, but teachers may have to wait for extended periods of time to receive assistance. The more comfortable teachers are with technology hardware, they can focus on the instructional delivery and content of using technology with students, despite tech barriers.

Tips and Strategies to Try

Now is the time for educators to embrace the instructional use of technology as education continues to evolve. Web 2.0 tools, video conferencing, and virtual white boards are just a few components that teachers can explore to enhance their craft with using current educational technology. Web 2.0 tools include a plethora of site-based instructional platforms such as Animoto, Kahoot, Schoology, Canvas, Grammarly, Flipster, Flipgrid, etc. as well as current social media resources such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Teachers should also be well versed in using basic presentation platforms using Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezis, etc.

Using one of the aforementioned tech resources is one of the most practical ways to deliver content to students but should not be the only way. Students need teachers who can engage them at high levels and pique their interest during online or blended learning when using technology. Therefore, teachers must get of their comfort zones and try a variety of technology tools and strategies to meet the needs of all of their students.

Campus leaders should establish a technology committee to provide ongoing support to colleagues as they face unexpected obstacles such as equipment shutdowns, software updates, and the use of new tools. The technology chairperson of the committee should continue to receive professional development and attend technology conferences to support the overall campus regardless of their technology proficiency. As technology evolves, strategies may be adjusted to better meet the needs of students.

Last but not least, educators must acknowledge that some students are very tech savvy and can also teach their peers and educators on how to use the latest tech tools. Millennials and Generation Z students are the leaders of the future of technology. Student ownership is key to ensuring technology is embraced by all learners and successfully implemented in schools across the country.

Campus leaders and educators must take advantage of the use of technology despite challenges of implementing online learning and getting teachers to learn new technology tools. The world as we know it is forever changing with technology at the forefront of education. Educators must also remember the technology present today will be obsolete in 5-10 years, hence the dire need to continue to be lifelong learners and ongoing technology implementers in the world of education (Schaffhauser & Nagel, 2016). Technology is definitely here to stay.

References

Anderson, M. A. (2003). Creating tech-savvy teachers. School Library Journal, 49(2), 6-8.
Culatta, R. (2019). Creating a shared vision: How one district reworked a failed ed-tech strategy to transform learning. Educational Leadership, 76(5), 26-30.
Schaffhauser, D. & Nagel, D. (2016). Teaching with tech: A love and hate story. T H E Journal, 43(5), 6-15.

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We are only a little over two years removed from the beginning of the COVID-19 virus outbreak in the United States. Thus, it is impossible to diagnose what the long-term implications will be in education when measuring the pandemic’s impact. We can now look at the short-term effect has had over the last two and a half years and project the possible long-term effects.

According to Desiree Carver-Thomas, a researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute, teacher shortages were becoming a significant issue prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. A 2018 estimate completed by the LPI showed that the nation was short of teachers by at least 100,000. This was especially true in content areas already hard to staff: math, science, special education and ESL.

“Because of these long-standing conditions, even small changes in teacher supply and demand during the pandemic have resulted in serious disruption for schools that had already been struggling to fill teacher vacancies,” Carver-Thomas stated.

Now what happened once the pandemic was in full effect? According to all the research I have read, there were some premature retirements and resignations as a result of the pandemic. The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds reported seeing a 14 percent increase in retirement in 2020.

However, educators explain that the shortage began years before the pandemic and continues to this day. It was also pointed out that this was not a consistent nationwide trend. Some districts and states across the country saw relatively little increase in retirements.

How Teacher Shortages Affect Educators

A teacher shortage, whether brought on by the pandemic or not, affects educators. From my personal experience as an elementary principal, I have not witnessed any shortages in our local workforce. However, there was a significant shortage of substitutes. Some of this was seemingly due to fears about COVID-19 pandemic, but it was also because some neighboring districts instituted very high and abnormal pay increases for their substitute teachers.

So for a limited amount of time, my school and district had to utilize their teachers to cover classes, resulting in a loss of prep time. I can attest that this does significantly affect teacher morale, at least for the teachers who have to use time to cover classes.

The significant effect in morale I witnessed was most related to the time that school had to move to virtual instruction. This wasn’t because our teachers didn’t like being home. It was simply because our teachers knew they could not give the students what was educationally needed. They fretted and continued to fret over the lost in-person instructional time.

High Demands in Education

Why is the education job market currently facing a shortage post-COVID? The same question can be asked why it faced a shortage pre-pandemic. An article from The Hill points out that burnout, low pay, and a significant decline in graduates with teaching degrees are the major trends and reasons why the U.S. is experiencing a teacher shortage. COVID merely highlighted and accelerated these trends.

I believe it is safe to conclude that the pandemic temporarily exacerbated and accelerated the trends already in place in education but will not stand as a significant lone reason for teacher shortages. Burnout, low pay, and a sharp decline in undergraduate education degrees are what are driving teacher shortages. These need to be addressed by policymakers if we expect to see an increase in the amount of teachers.

Specifically, teachers are desperately needed in rural areas, low-income urban areas, and across certain subjects. No matter if you are a college student just beginning your education or if you are a veteran educator seeking new ways to set yourself apart in your district, the right credentials can vastly improve your job opportunities.

If you have an interest in any of these subjects, or if you have a desire to serve students through these subjects, you can find yourself in high-demand positions across the state and country. On the other hand, if you are a leader within a school district that cannot seem to adequately staff certain subjects, you are not alone. You can use information about national and regional teacher shortages to better understand the issues facing professionals throughout your district so that you can make better decisions to enhance your recruitment efforts.

Special Education

Special education teachers are needed in districts nearly everywhere, but perhaps California’s situation shows us just how much. The state reports that nearly 800,000 students are being taught by teachers who do not have proper special education credentialing. While this number is staggering, it is, unfortunately, becoming the norm throughout the country and can cause serious consequences for the students, their families, and the staff members who are unprepared to teach this special population.

Special education teachers often have a heart for serving a challenging population and are more likely to understand the impact of medical diagnoses and past trauma has on students. However, they are also more likely to burn out without the proper resources and support from their team and from their supervisors.

Aside from special education teachers, paraprofessionals are also in high demand. These key members of the student’s team assist with more than just daily care; they also offer verbal or physical cuing that can help students stay on task and meet their IEP goals.

In contrast, special education teachers currently have a median pay of $61,820 (2021) and typically enjoy full-time benefits from the district. However, the salary and benefits are not always enough to keep special education teachers with the district long-term. They must also feel empowered and encouraged within the district.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL educators are also in high demand throughout rural, suburban, and urban school districts. While the number of ESL educators currently pursuing the degree is increasing in many colleges and universities, there simply are not enough in the workforce right now to meet the growing needs of students. More and more K-12 students are not native language speakers, with educational research pointing to more than 12 million bilingual children across the country (a 1.2 million increase over the previous ten years.)

It’s a classic case of supply and demand, with the demand for specialized language education far outweighing the supply of educators. Even with the increased number of ESL teachers in programs today, there simply isn’t enough to serve the students now or in the future.

Administrators are working hard to entice ESL teachers to their districts. Perhaps the answer is to also look at current educators within the district who have a desire to serve students in this capacity and offering tuition reimbursement and bonuses to increase the opportunities for current students.

ESL teachers in elementary and secondary settings have a salary that is typically around $65,000.

Educational Technology

The coronavirus pandemic radically changed education, shifting students and teachers to take a virtual approach focused even more on technology. Many administrators and leaders saw immediately the need for additional educational technology support throughout their districts, highlighting the shortage that was already there. For districts that already had team members with a technology specialist endorsement, they were reminded why these positions are crucial to a well-rounded district.

Educational technology has never been more important, and there simply are not enough experts to serve school districts in rural, urban, and suburban settings. Further, educational technology roles are not just for K-12 districts. The demand in university settings is only increasing as well, making the shortage feel even more acute. The average salary hovers around $52,000 and most districts offer management-level benefits to enhance their recruitment strategy.

Reading and Literacy

Teachers seeking a reading specialist credential are on the rise, which is good news. Many schools and districts are lacking these specialists in their schools. Reading or literacy specialists are tasked with providing intervention for students, consultations for teachers, and support in the classroom, as well as ensuring that their school provides high-quality reading instruction to all students.

Educators with this credential also have the opportunity to move into other positions grounded in leadership such as district literacy coaches, instructional coordinators, or curriculum developers.

Reading and literacy specialists have a salary that is typically around $53,000, while a position like instructional coordinator will get you a salary around $64,000.

Foreign Language

The U.S. Department of Education reports that foreign language is historically fourth on the list of subjects experiencing a national shortage. Recent reports note that 58% of states experience a foreign language teacher shortage over the last 20 years (Pg. 23, Figure 5). While the foreign language teacher shortage is nuanced, perhaps the beginning of the problem lies within the K-12 curriculum.

Less than one-quarter of K-12 students are exposed to a foreign language before they graduate from high school. Once in college, that number drops to less than 10%. It can be impossible to inspire future foreign language teachers when students are simply not exposed to another language in a school environment.

Why is there a lesser focus on foreign language in the K-12 curriculum? One reason is the teacher shortage. While it is impossible to know which came first — the teacher shortage or the decreased exposure to foreign language built into K-12 curriculum — it is certain to continue for the foreseeable future.

Foreign language teachers make around the same amount as high school teachers of other subjects with similar experience, which is around $61,000 per year.

The important takeaways here? Teacher shortages are nuanced and vary from subject to subject, district to district, and state to state. However, if you have a passion to serve students in any of these capacities, now is the time to work for that extra endorsement or credential. Leaders in school districts, now is also the time for you to take a hard look at your recruitment plans to determine if there are ways to enhance your benefits or school culture that could bring more of these specialists to your schools.

Interested in advancing your credentials and education? Check out our 190+ available masters, doctorates, endorsements, and certifications to advance your career today!

*Updated July 2022

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As an administrator for eight years and a teacher on campus for 10 years who was the campus tech person, I can tell you that the person who can make technology a seamless integrated tool to help students learn is amazingly valuable.

There is a bit of a generational gap between the teachers in the classroom (at times 30 and 40 years older than their students) and their students who are growing up immersed in technology. The ability to bridge this gap is amazing.

Another challenge that exists is that as technology improves, it does so at an exponential rate. So what was learned technology-wise four or five years ago is likely outdated, slow, or not as useful as what has come out in the past year or two.

Those that can help keep a staff up to date and relevant with the world around them is invaluable in that it takes a special ability to teach teachers how to use new tools.

What is an Educational Technology Degree?

An educational technology degree prepares those who are working with students to leverage technology in the classroom. The leverage word there is key — technology is a tool in the classroom. Technology cannot make students learn, but it can put them in a more comfortable environment to learn.

Picture a quarterback coach at any level. Their job is to leverage the tools of the quarterback to make that player effective; this is one of the primary roles of the EdTech person in a district or campus.

Students utilize digital tools, hone pedagogical skills, develop classroom strategies, and learn to support education through technology. Examples of how this looks in the classroom include blended learning, flipped classrooms, how students use chromebooks, and how prepared they are to use technology in the real world.

Reasons to Get an EdTech Degree Right Now

There are many similarities between the classroom from 100 years ago and the one that exists today. There are still chairs, desks, teachers, students, books, etc. However the chalkboard has morphed in most places to dry erase boards, and in the more modern classrooms, there are smartboards, smart TVs, chromebooks, ipad, and tablets. As the students get older, they all have cell phones and can use it for kahoot games, to text in answers, and more.

There needs to be a point person who can help teachers leverage all of these new tools into student success. If a district or campus is making a dedicated effort to integrate technology into the classroom, the second key piece to success is a person who can train and coach teachers and staff in using these tools.

This has never been more relevant than the past three months where most of the learning in the world occurred in an online environment. One of the last effects of the COVID-19 experience will be an integration of elearning into the already existing classroom.

Beyond that, many colleges already have highly developed online degrees and online learning in place and need people to help expand this into their faculty and their program offerings.

Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects openings for instructional coordinators to increase nationwide by 6% between 2018 and 2028, indicating that there will be EdTech jobs available.

Benefits of an EdTech Degree

Let’s talk salary! Let me start with my own personal experience here. As a middle school teacher for 10 years with a technology applications certification, I was able to get an additional stipend to help with tech issues and integration around the campus.

Payscale.com lists the master’s in educational technology degree as earning on average around $63,000 per year. Glassdoor.com lists the salary average at $70,000 a year.

Another benefit of this degree is that it allows you the chance at jobs in the long run that connect with education but not necessarily are in a district and a school building. There are numerous education companies that exist to help students learn and are selling their product to schools every day. They need people with experience in training teachers, showing how to use their product in the classroom, and developing their product so that it is truly a tool that helps students learn.

Finally, and this really comes from the heart of a high school principal, our job is ultimately to prepare students to be able to be contributors in the real world. We have a responsibility to develop students who know how to use technology responsibly and properly.

The right person who can leverage technology to help students learn and apply technology into their world can not only help a staff make students successful, but they contribute to the future success of the student.

Ready to take the next step in your career and explore EdTech? Check out our available educational technology programs today!

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