Popular EdTech Tools for Middle School

Technology has become an indispensable component of K-12 education, influencing instruction, student engagement, and overall success. This article explores a range of popular EdTech tools suitable for middle school students, encompassing coding resources, AI-powered platforms, and tools designed to enhance accessibility and collaboration.

Analyzing EdTech Engagement

The EdTech Top 40, tracked by LearnPlatform by Instructure, identifies the most frequently accessed EdTech solutions by students and educators. These reports offer insights into the average number of EdTech tools used in districts and at individual student and teacher levels.

Top EdTech Tools for Middle School

Every January, a curated list of tech tools worth exploring is compiled. Instead of a traditional PDF guide, an online guide is now available, featuring six standout tools.

1. SchoolAI: AI-Powered Learning and Monitoring

SchoolAI addresses the concern of monitoring and supporting students using AI in schools. It offers an easy-to-use "Mission Control" that provides oversight of student interactions and real-time insights into student progress and sentiment, enabling timely interventions. The platform includes various AI tools, such as co-teachers and exit tickets. The "Spaces" feature allows teachers to create customized learning environments for specific topics or standards.

2. Snorkl: Verbal and Visual Explanations with AI Feedback

Snorkl provides a platform for students to verbally and visually explain their thinking in response to prompts. AI analyzes both the verbal explanation and visual work, providing personalized feedback. Snorkl also offers insights for teachers, showing areas where students are succeeding and struggling. It supports over 50 languages, making it accessible to diverse learners.

3. Interactive Lessons with Deck.Toys

Teachers can create interactive lessons called Decks on this platform. These pathways, similar to visual HyperDocs, guide students through activities that teach a topic or test their understanding.

4. Read&Write for Google Chrome: Accessibility Toolbar

Read&Write is a toolbar for the Chrome browser with features such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text, word prediction, a talking dictionary, and a picture dictionary. It is available for Windows, Mac, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, iPad, and Android.

5. WeVideo: Collaborative Video Projects

WeVideo is a collaborative, cloud-based platform that allows teachers to assign video projects to students. Users can edit videos individually or in groups, using a library of video, image, and audio files.

6. NotebookLM: AI-Powered Information Synthesis

NotebookLM is designed to help users understand information by asking questions of the information itself. It allows users to create a custom chatbot based on the sources provided. NotebookLM synthesizes information and allows users to interact with it via chat, creating study guides, FAQs, summaries, and quizzes.

Padlet: A Versatile Alternative to Flip

Padlet, a "virtual corkboard," can also be used for posting videos, serving as an alternative to the retired Flip (formerly Flipgrid).

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Coding and Makerspace Tools for Middle School STEM

While introducing coding in early grades is crucial, it's equally important to continue developing students' STEM foundations throughout middle school. Here are six tools for transitional STEM learning:

1. Ozobot Ari: Transition to Text-Based Coding

While Ozobot Evo is suitable for younger students, the Ozobot Ari takes programming further. By pairing Ari with the online OzoBlockly environment, students can transition to text-based coding with a Python Preview. Students can toggle between Blockly and Python to see how programs look in both languages, creating interactive programs with loops and variables.

2. Edison Robot: Versatile Coding with Multiple Methods

The Edison Robot is versatile and scalable for upper elementary and middle school coding. It offers four coding methods, allowing students to progress from pre-programmed barcodes to advanced text languages like Python. The free online coding environment provides example programs, code editing, and error checking.

3. Unruly Splats: Active Learning Through Coding

Unruly Splats are durable floor buttons that allow students to engage in games and activities through stomping, dancing, and jumping. Students can use pre-programmed games or code their own, incorporating STEM into any classroom. Splats use block coding and allow for complex programs with loops and variables.

4. 3Doodler Flow: 3D Printing for Makerspaces

The 3Doodler Flow is a creation tool for middle school makerspaces. Its dual drive technology and spooled filament allow for smoother 3D printing experiences. Students can use different plastic types, including PLA, ABS, and wood filament.

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5. CoDrone EDU: Drone Piloting and Coding

CoDrone EDU allows students to experience piloting and coding a real drone. Compatible with both Blockly and Python, it provides a transition from graphical coding to text programming. The CoDrone EDU includes lights and a customizable controller.

6. databot 2.0: Data Collection and Analysis

The databot 2.0 is a data-collecting tool for STEM education. It has 16 on-board sensors for collecting data from the environment, such as humidity levels and acceleration. The Vizeey app allows students to collect real-world data in real time.

Enhancing Learning Through Technology Integration

The true value of educational technology lies in its impact on learning. Here are some examples of technology integrated into classrooms:

NotebookLM for Strategic Plan Dissemination

Google's NotebookLM was used to create an easily digestible 15-minute podcast version of a school's strategic plan. The AI tool effectively extracted and distilled key messages, making the information accessible to busy staff.

Real-Time Captioning and Translation

Teacher Ryan Logan uses a wireless mic and Microsoft Translator to display real-time English captions and Spanish translations for students. This setup enhances accessibility for English language learners and facilitates communication during parent-teacher conferences.

MagicSchool AI for IEP Generation

MagicSchool’s AI-powered IEP Generator tool helps special education coaches create draft IEPs. Teachers input a student’s grade level, disability category, needs, and strengths, and the program outputs a draft IEP. The AI acts as a thought partner, reducing the time needed to produce a final IEP.

Seating Chart Maker

Seating Chart Maker simplifies the creation of seating charts, addressing challenges such as student compatibility and substitute teacher arrangements.

MarketWatch for Stock Market Simulation

Christopher Kelley uses MarketWatch to host an eight-week-long investment game where students research the stock market and compete against each other using $50,000 of fake money. Students keep an investment journal to document each trade.

AI Tutors for Reviewing Material

AI can be used as a tutor to ask questions and guide students through difficult material. Studies have shown that students who work with AI tutors score higher than those who receive traditional lectures.

GarageBand for Fluency Practice

Megan Ryder uses GarageBand to have students record themselves reading, then listen back to identify areas for improvement. This practice is repeated weekly.

Microsoft Reading Progress

Microsoft Reading Progress is a free tool within Microsoft Teams that allows students to record themselves reading. The tool automatically flags skipped, repeated, or mispronounced words.

AI Tools for Differentiated Assessments

AI tools can create leveled-up or leveled-down versions of quizzes. For example, Quizizz allows teachers to automatically generate differentiated versions of quizzes.

Live Listen for Hearing Assistance

The Live Listen feature turns an iPad or iPhone into a wireless microphone for hearing assistance, transmitting the teacher's voice directly to the student's hearing device.

Edthena for Video Coaching

Edthena is a video coaching platform that allows teachers to record and upload lessons and receive feedback from mentors. The platform's AI insights tab surfaces patterns in teacher language and provides assessments of teacher-versus-student talk ratios.

Free Tools for the Modern Classroom

The landscape of educational technology is evolving rapidly, with key trends including gamification, collaborative learning, generative AI, and immersive experiences.

Gamification

Quizizz & Kahoot!: Platforms for creating or using pre-made quizzes and games.
Quizlet: For vocabulary, foreign language, and factual recall, offering flashcards, practice tests, and a game called “Quizlet Live.”

Collaborative Learning

Miro: A digital whiteboard for visual maps, flowcharts, or brainstorming sessions.
Wakelet: A digital curation platform for organizing articles, videos, social media posts, and documents.
Seesaw: A learning experience platform for K-6 teachers to foster collaboration.

Generative AI

Magic School AI: Generates lesson plans, rubrics, quizzes, and differentiated text.
SchoolAI: Helps educators craft engaging, personalized learning experiences.
Google’s “Generative AI for Educators” Course: Provides a foundational understanding of generative AI.

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Blippbuilder: Allows you to create augmented reality experiences without coding.
Google Arts & Culture: Provides access to museums, art pieces, and historical sites through immersive tours and VR experiences.

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