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Apple iPad released
The iPad was released and quickly became a huge staple amongst educators and students. In the years to come, educators and students will have personal iPads kept in the classroom. -
Chromebooks in Classrooms
Chromebooks were an affordable and beneficial tool for educators and students. By 2011, majority of schools had adopted these using them for research, and a variety of online educational programs. Eventually, each student would soon have access to their own chromebook. -
Incorporating Videos for Differentiating Instruction
Due to all the new technology resources, many educators began to take advantage of this by using videos to "bridge the gap". Tools like Khan Academy, were even used as homework at times! This was monumental as it allowed students who needed extra assistance a chance to receive it. -
Google Apps Entering Classrooms
Many google apps were adopted into the classrooms to foster collaboration and presentation skills. Apps such as google classroom google slides, google docs, and more were quite popular! Both students and educators used these. -
Digital Assessments
Digital assessments were huge in 2014! Things like kahoot, quizlet, and more, were a huge part of teachers review/assessments. This was a great way to keep students engaged and ensure retention of material. -
Personalized Learning
Personalized learning began to gain momentum in 2015 with programs such as iReady, Knewton, and more. These programs were also beneficial in "bridging the gap" as it would work with a student exactly where they were at. For example, if a fourth grader was on a 3rd grade reading level, but a 5th grade math level iReady could help to build both skills sets! -
Class Dojo Expansion
Class dojo had been around for a bit, but its popularity grew in 2016 due to its expansions! Class dojo could now be used as behavior management, parent communication, classroom stories, and a place to store student portfolios! Many teachers began to use this in their classroom. -
Introduction of AI
AI had been around for a bit, but in 2017 it became a large tool for students. Apps and programs like Photomath, and Socratic helped students to solve problems step by step. This could have been used as a tool for students to learn where they went wrong and build their skills, however, it unfortunately was often used as a way to simply not think. -
Videos as Learning Tools Expansion
EdPuzzle had become quite popular in 2018. EdPuzzle allowed for differentiated instruction, whole group lessons, as well as additional support, and assessments all through one program! Naturally, many teachers began to adopt this and in many cases it would spread district wide. -
Expansion of Coding
Coding, robotics, and more took off in 2019! Coding was included in many technology classes, and even assigned as special projects amongst core courses. In the upper grades (middle and high school) there was even elective opportunities for students to further build these skills. -
Emergency Remote Learning
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, things were forced to go remote very quickly. Teachers used the many tools that had been introduced prior as their main source of educating. Tools like Canvas, and Google Classroom were extremely popular. The tools used in Covid are still very prominent today due to the productivity of them!