With COVID-19, virtual/remote learning has become a standard within education. Whether the student is 100% virtual, or if the student is face-to-face with virtual elements, it is important to find new, engaging ways to grab students’ attention. There are several technology apps within education that are beneficial to the teacher and student. The students’ engagement levels will quickly rise with these sites or apps: 

1. GimKit – GimKit is a newer site in which students are highly involved in a competition of wits. GimKit allows educators to ask students questions, in which the students earn “money” to use for special upgrades or powerups to use against other students. However, wrong answers take away their money! GimKit was created by a student for students, which is what makes this site so successful. Students know what students want and how they are engaged best. Although this team and site is continuously growing, no one can deny this site has an amazing start!

2. Kahoot – Kahoot is another competitive site and app in which students compete for a place on the podium. The faster your answer is correct, the more points you receive. If you have an answer streak, you also gain additional points. If the student chooses the wrong answer, they do not gain points or lose them. This site and app allows students to answer questions based on shape or color. One positive aspect of this site is the pre-made quizzes that educators may choose from, or the educator may create their own quiz. Kahoot has made many developments over the years to focus on other areas outside of education as well. 

3. Nearpod – Nearpod is a newly popular site and app that educators enjoy. Nearpod features different activities for the educator to use: matching cards, virtual field trips, race games, interactive drawing, interactive response boards, interactive polls, and more. Over the years, Nearpod has developed their system to include additional features and engaging activities for educators to use in their classroom. The great benefit of Nearpod is the site or app can be teacher-led and controlled or student-led and controlled. Teacher-led presentations allow results in real time, whereas student-led presentations can be set for students to complete on their own time. 

4. Flipgrid – Flipgrid is a great tool for virtual and remote learning, especially when connecting a classroom locally or from a distance. Teachers present a prompt for students to answer in which they can record their responses. This is great for students who may be shy, used for practicing speeches, or presenting information in general. Another benefit to Flipgrid is that students get to connect with people around the world, which is great for learning about cultures, education in other countries, and more. 

5. Socrative – Socrative is a great resource for quick quizzes and tests, exit tickets, or reflections. Educators can keep students engaged while limiting use of paper. With options like multiple choice, short answer, or true/false, students can race each other in a competition of wits. 

6. Quizlet – Quizlet is a tool in which flashcards can be made for or by students. This is great for implementing new vocabulary within the classroom. Educators may search for already created sets of vocabulary. Educators can have students compete in groups using the Quizlet Live feature. In this feature, students compete to receive the correct answers in a race for first place. Other options include a game and a matching set for vocabulary terms. 

With so many tools available to educators, it can be overwhelming on where to start or what to use. The best way to determine what works within the classroom is to practice and try some of the sites and apps. Many of these sites and apps you can share with coworkers and collaborate together on the project.