Using Ed Tech for Active Learning
Educational technology, commonly referred to by the shorthand ed tech, can be integrated into any only course to promote active learning. Consider creating active learning in your course using one or two of the following ed tech tools:
| Tool Name | Main Functionality | Considerations | Help/How-To Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Jamboard | Collaborative digital whiteboard. | Available to learners with their Humber learner email or individuals with Gmail accounts. | Introduction to the Jamboard App |
| Padlet | Big corkboard on which you can pin all kinds of content. Brainstorming, collaboration, assessment. Very flexible. | Free plan includes 3 Padlets. These Padlets can be downloaded as PDFs or images and shared with others. After you’ve downloaded a Padlet, you can delete it and start a new one. | Padlet Support |
| Canva | Easy-to-use graphic design, infographic creator. No design experience required. Upload own images and graphics. Invite collaborators to contribute to design. Download designs as PDF, JPG or PNG. Share designs with a link. | 8,000+ free templates; 100+ design types (social media posts, presentations, letters, and more); Hundreds of thousands of free photos and graphics. Premium templates, photos, and graphics available. | Getting started with Canva |
| Flipgrid | Video sharing tool that engages learners in discussions through short video creation. Incorporate rubrics to assess learner work and provide feedback to learners with video, audio, or text. Encourage discussion among peers. | Learners access the topic with a link or QR code and need to log in with emails or learner IDs (created and provided by the teacher). Accessible through a browser on computers. To access it from a mobile device, learners must download the app. Guest link available for external participants. | Getting Started with Flipgrid |
| Poll Everywhere | Poll Everywhere transforms one-sided presentations into two-way conversations with the audience. Choose from a large variety of poll activities, including multiple-choice, open response, live word clouds, clickable images, up-and-down-voting for Q&A, and rank order. View and share results. | Learners access the poll with a link from a browser or mobile device. Avoid the text-in option to respond to questions. Unlimited questions. Free version for Education provides a maximum audience size of 40. | Getting started with Poll Everywhere |
| Mentimeter | Mentimeter creates interactive presentations that incorporate opportunities for learner input, polling, and responses (multiple choice, word cloud, open-ended questions, Q&A, quizzes, scales). | Learners access the poll with a code or a link from a computer or mobile device. Unlimited audience size. Free plan includes 2 questions and 5 quizzes per presentation. Unlimited presentations. | Getting Started with Mentimeter |
| Google Forms | Create surveys and quizzes. | Available for learners to create through their Humber email. Available to individuals with a Gmail account. Forms or quizzes are easily shared through a link. Multiple users can edit the forms. | Google Forms Training and Help |
| Kahoot! | Use Kahoot! to create a learning game or quiz, adapt a quiz created by other users, host the game live in a group setting and invite your learners to play. learner-paced games, called Challenges, are available. | Learners access their gameshow-style quiz using a numerical code that is provided. Kahoot! free plan only permits a maximum of 10 users simultaneously, and only a few question types. | Getting Started with Kahoot! |
| H5P | Use H5P to develop a wide variety of learning activities, ranging from multiple choice quizzes, to drag-n-drop activities, to image slideshows, and much more. H5P is constantly being expanded, so check back often for more activity options and features. | Anyone with a valid Ontario college email address can access H5P for free via eCampusOntario’s H5P Studio. There are no limitations on the types of activities or number of activities you can produce. Students are also welcome to use this tool. | H5P: The Basics |
| EdPuzzle | Insert your own comments, guiding questions, or quick quizzes in videos to activate your learner’s viewing experience. Videos from YouTube can be modified using this ed tech tool when copyright restrictions allow. | The free version of EdPuzzle allows you to create and store up to 20 videos for use in your classes. You can then assign videos to your class from the EdPuzzle app. | EdPuzzle: Getting Started |
Consider This
When selecting ed tech for your online course, make sure that the chosen tool is accessible by reviewing the accessibility statement for the ed tech. Furthermore, remember to reduce hidden learning curves by using only one or two ed tech tools in a course, and ensuring that the tools are used regularly.