22 Tech Tools for 2022

Do you need to spice up your lesson plans? Add a little pizzazz to your classroom? Or just find a tech tool that makes life easier?

I've compiled 22 Tech Tools for 2022. Each includes a brief description and some of the pros and cons. This list was originally presented at MACUL in March.

Tech tools: Content

1. Book Creator

What is it?

Collaborative app/website to build digital books

Pros

Easy to build pages; allows students to focus on creativity; easy to share

Cons

Younger students may feel overwhelmed with all the options; collaboration can be tricky

2. Sutori

What is it?

Platform to create learning resources, presentation templates, collaborative presentations

Pros

Range of media options; simple visual designs; templates for ease; connects with Google Classroom; can differentiate access level per person

Cons

May need to upgrade for full benefit; prebuilt timelines can vary in quality

3. Mosa Mack Science

What is it?

Online STEM lessons & resources for 4th-8th grade

Pros

Range of media options; simple visual designs; templates for ease; cReal world problems for kids to solve; F2F & remote options; follows NGSS; lesson guides; GC integration

Cons

May need to upgrade for full benefit; prebuilt timelines can vary in Ss must have an email to access; some investigations are loosely linked to the problems presented in the initial video; $$ (one trial unit available; March promo)

4. Gizmos

What is it?

Science & math online simulations for 3rd - 12th grade

Pros

Simple to use; cover nearly every topic in math & science; extra resources & assessments

Cons

Lack of in-program audio or multilingual options; some Gizmos can be text-heavy; no LMS integration or Google log in

5. Book Widgets

What is it?

Create activities tailored to your content (like H5P but with backend data capability)

Pros

Useful widgets for all content areas; Lots of integration options (GC, Schoology, Microsoft, etc.).

Cons

Students have to sign in; $; many widgets promote lower-level thinking; the organization of widgets may be clunky and confusing.

6. Readworks

What is it?

Print and digital level text library

Pros

Easy-to-find content for any subject; leveled reading passages are paired with detailed lesson plans and thorough comprehension activities.

Cons

LMS integration is limited to Google Classroom

7. Clipular

What is it?

Easy screen capture tool

Pros

Archives screenshot history; can create collections; download or drag and drop option

Cons

Must use Chrome

8. Formative

What is it?

Digital assessment platform

Pros

Quickly create simple or detailed assessments; real-time monitoring and feedback

Cons

Could use more opportunities for collaboration; no family access

9. Open Educational Resources

What is it?

Thousands of free and vetted educational resources

Pros

Lots of lessons, tool integration; with the pandemic, getting more traction

Cons

Can be overwhelming; difficult to find exactly what you need

Tech tools: Engagement

10. Blooket

What is it?

Classroom engagement platform; same question set, different games

Pros

Quirky games add variety; students stay engaged, even if they get behind

Cons

Limited to multiple-choice questions; question set library lacks curation; younger players might create accounts after games

11. Jamboard

What is it?

Interactive Google whiteboard tool

Pros

Pull files from Google Drive and collaborate while using Google Meet; add backgrounds/templates to provide more options; duplicate

Cons

Lacks ability to add media (videos, music, live links); one board is limited to 50 users at a time

12. Lumio

What is it?

Engagement and lesson delivery platform

Pros

Ready-made resources (activators, questioning & reflecting, manipulatives, graphic organizers); Google integration; self-paced or whole group; premade lessons; real-time results; collaborative opportunities

Cons

Time-consuming to build your own lessons; does not sync with LMS or GC

13. Gimkit

What is it?

Student engagement platform

Pros

Minimal setup; promotes student agency, GC integration, different ways to play with the same questions

Cons

Students could focus on gameplay at the cost of content

14. Empatico

What is it?

Platform to connect to classrooms around the world

Pros

Easy to set up and find classes; suggested activities are very helpful; Empatico Expedition challenges

Cons

Due time zone differences, connecting live with another classroom across the globe might be challenging

15. PearDeck

What is it?

Interactive presentation tool (self-paced and whole group options)

Pros

Use existing presentations; collect a variety of on-the-spot, useful data for instruction; integration into LMSs, including automatic grading on Schoology

Cons

Takes time to create presentations; some activities (like drawing) can be tricky from phones

16. EdPuzzle

What is it?

Video editing, viewing & data collection platform

Pros

Add voice-overs, comments, resources, and quizzes to videos; Chrome extension; live vs independent mode options; audio responses; looking at student-created video options; EdPuzzle originals as YouTube issue workaround

Cons

At times need to sort through multiple copies of the same video

Tech tools: Accessibility

17. iorad

What is it?

Tutorial builder

Pros

Easy to navigate; Chrome extension available; voiceover options; language translation

Cons

Can be glitchy, resulting in having user re-do tutorial; $$

18. Mote

What is it?

Audio feedback

Pros

Flexible, easy to use; Integrated into the Google suite.

Cons

Only works within the Google ecosystem; $$

19. Mercury Reader

What is it?

Removes adds, clutter from text on website articles

Pros

Removes adds, clutter from text on website articles

Cons

Can be glitchy when toggling the reader on & off

Just for you

20. PDF Candy

What is it?

Free PDF editor/converter

Pros

Easy to use, lots of format options

Cons

Only one task per hour in free version

21. Headspace

What is it?

Wellness app

Pros

Course-like structure makes it easy to build a meditation practice; free for educators; phone and web versions

Cons

Sometimes tricky interface

22. Libby/Overdrive

What is it?

Ebooks, and audiobooks from your library

Pros

Lots of titles available; can recommend titles; select loan time

Cons

May have to wait for popular titles