Teachers are constantly looking for ways to improve their productivity and efficiency. With so many educational apps available, it can be difficult to know which ones are the best.This article will provide you with a curated list of the best productivity apps for teachers, based on user reviews and ratings. These apps will help you to streamline your workflow, engage your students, and improve your overall teaching experience.
So, if you're looking to save time and energy, keep reading!
Part 1. Best 5 Apps for Teachers
1. Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a web-based platform that enables educators to create and manage virtual classrooms. It is primarily used in K-12 schools and higher education institutions, but it can also be used in various other educational settings. Google Classroom integrates with other Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) tools, such as Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, to provide a comprehensive online learning environment.
Key Features:
Assignment distribution and grading.
Communication tools.
Resource sharing.
Integration with Google Apps.
Class calendar.
Pros:
Streamlines teaching and learning.
Easy access from anywhere.
Integration with Google Workspace.
Environmentally friendly (paperless).
Teacher control.
Cons:
Learning curve for users.
Dependency on technology and internet.
Potential distractions.
Not as feature-rich as some dedicated LMS.
2. ClassDojo
ClassDojo is an educational technology platform designed to enhance communication and engagement between teachers, students, and parents. It provides a digital space for educators to manage classroom activities, share updates, and create a positive classroom culture.
Key Features:
Communication Hub: ClassDojo serves as a central communication hub, allowing teachers, students, and parents to interact and share information in real-time.
Classroom Management: Teachers can use ClassDojo to manage classroom activities, assign tasks, and track student behavior.
Reward System: The platform includes a reward system where teachers can award points to students for positive behavior and achievements, fostering a positive classroom environment.
Messaging: Teachers can send messages and updates to parents, and parents can communicate with teachers through the platform.
Portfolios: ClassDojo provides a space for teachers and students to create digital portfolios showcasing their work and progress.
Pros:
Facilitates Communication: ClassDojo promotes open communication between teachers, students, and parents, fostering collaboration and engagement in a child's education.
Behavior Reinforcement: The reward system encourages positive behavior in the classroom and helps improve student behavior.
Parental Involvement: Parents can stay informed about their child's school activities, assignments, and behavior, which can lead to increased parental involvement in education.
Digital Portfolios: The ability to create digital portfolios allows students to showcase their work and progress, which can be beneficial for self-reflection and assessment.
Cons:
Balancing Online and Face-to-Face: While ClassDojo enhances online communication, it's essential to strike a balance between digital interactions and in-person connections in the classroom.
3. Kahoot!
Kahoot! is an interactive and engaging platform designed to make learning fun through quizzes, surveys, and games. It was created to promote active participation and knowledge retention among students.
Key Features:
Quiz Creation: Educators can create custom quizzes, surveys, and polls using a user-friendly interface.
Game-Based Learning: Kahoot! turns learning into a game where participants answer questions against a timer, earning points for correct answers.
Accessibility: It is accessible via web browsers and mobile devices, making it versatile for different classroom setups.
Real-time Feedback: After each question, Kahoot! provides immediate feedback on the correct answer and participant performance.
Collaborative Learning: Some Kahoot! modes encourage collaboration among participants, fostering teamwork and discussion.
Reports and Analytics: Educators can track participant performance and access detailed reports to assess learning outcomes.
Pros:
Engagement: Kahoot! is highly engaging and can motivate students to actively participate in learning activities.
Assessment: It can be used for formative assessment to gauge student understanding and adjust teaching accordingly.
Customization: Educators can create personalized content to align with their curriculum and teaching goals.
Accessibility: It's accessible on various devices, promoting flexibility in how it can be used.
Gamification: The game-based approach makes learning enjoyable and can help improve retention.
Cons:
Overuse: While Kahoot! can be a valuable tool, overusing it may lead to disengagement or trivialization of educational content.
Limited Depth: It may not be suitable for complex or in-depth learning objectives as it's primarily designed for quick quizzes and engagement.
Competition Pressure: Some students may feel pressure or anxiety in competitive settings, impacting their performance.
Need for Devices: Access to devices and the internet is necessary, potentially excluding students who lack these resources.
4. Seesaw
Seesaw is a digital learning platform that allows students to create and manage their digital portfolios, providing a space for them to document and reflect on their learning journey. It is commonly used in K-12 education to foster student agency and showcase their work to teachers and parents.
Key Feature:
Student-Driven Digital Portfolios: Seesaw enables students to curate their digital portfolios by uploading various types of content, including photos, videos, drawings, and documents. They can add descriptions, annotations, and reflections to their work to demonstrate their learning progress.
Pros:
Supports Student Agency: Seesaw empowers students to take ownership of their learning by allowing them to curate their portfolios, making them active participants in the learning process.
Parent Engagement: It provides a platform for parents to stay informed about their child's learning journey and progress, enhancing parent-teacher communication.
Versatile Content: Students can upload a wide range of multimedia content, showcasing their skills and creativity.
Reflection and Assessment: The ability to add annotations and reflections helps students think critically about their work and assists teachers in assessing student understanding and growth.
Cons:
Learning Curve: Navigating and effectively using digital portfolios in Seesaw may require some time and training for both students and teachers, particularly those who are new to the platform.
Digital Divide: Access to technology and the internet is essential for using Seesaw, potentially creating disparities among students with limited access.
Privacy and Security: Given the digital nature of the platform, ensuring privacy and security of student data and content is crucial and requires careful management.
5. Remind
Remind is an education-focused communication platform that enables teachers, students, and parents to easily connect with one another. It provides a secure and efficient way for educators to send messages, announcements, and updates to students and their parents.
Key Feature:
Easy and Secure Communication: Remind allows teachers to send messages, reminders, and announcements to students and parents through a secure and user-friendly interface. It supports text messaging, emails, and mobile app notifications.
Pros:
Efficient Communication: Remind simplifies communication between educators, students, and parents, making it easy to send important updates, assignments, and announcements.
Privacy and Security: The platform prioritizes privacy and security, ensuring that contact information remains confidential and adhering to strict data protection regulations.
Accessibility: Remind offers various communication channels, including text messages and email, making it accessible to users with different preferences and access to technology.
Saves Time: It helps educators save time by providing a centralized platform for communication, reducing the need for individual emails or phone calls.
Cons:
Managing Notifications: Depending on the frequency of messages and notifications, users may find it challenging to manage and prioritize incoming information, potentially leading to information overload.
Dependence on Technology: Effective use of Remind relies on access to technology and internet connectivity, which can be a barrier for some students and parents.
Communication Etiquette: Ensuring appropriate and timely responses and maintaining a respectful communication etiquette can be a challenge, especially when dealing with a large number of messages.
Resonating Reminder:
Teachers, using technology in your classroom can make teaching better. It can be tricky, but picking the right apps and using them carefully can help your students learn more and make your work easier. Don't forget to also use traditional methods for a well-rounded teaching experience.
Part 2. How Can You Improve Your Productivity with AI?
WPS AI is a powerful AI tool that can help you to improve your work efficiency. WPS AI is integrated into WPS Office, a free and open-source office suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, and PDF reader.
To download and use WPS AI, simply follow these steps:
Step 1 Go to the WPS Office website: https://www.wps.com/.
Step 2 Click the Free Download button.
Step 3 The WPS Office will be downloaded.
Step 4 Install WPS Office on your computer.
Steps to Use WPS AI:
Step 1 Open a blank document in WPS Docs and click on the WPS AI widget on the top menu. You can also type @AI to activate the AI features.
Step 2 Write a prompt for the AI assistant based on what you want to create. For example, if you want to write an article, you can write something like “Write a brainstorm about environment”.
Step 3 The AI assistant will generate content for you based on your prompt. You can review and edit the content as you wish. You can also refine the prompt by adding more details or changing the tone or style of writing.
Step 4 Save and export your document in your preferred format. You can also share it with others via email or cloud storage.
FAQs
1. What is the free app for teachers and parents?
There are several free apps designed for teachers and parents to facilitate communication and collaboration. Some popular options include Bloomz, brightwheel, ClassTag, and GroupMe. These apps offer various features for managing classroom communication, sharing updates, and coordinating with parents.
2. How often does Teachable pay out?
Teachable offers different payout frequencies depending on your preferences. If you choose weekly payouts, your earnings and unlocked reserves are distributed every Thursday. Alternatively, if you opt for monthly payouts, they are distributed every 30 days on the first business day of the month. For creators using Teachable's payment processing service, initial payouts typically take 7-14 days but may take longer in certain cases, depending on various factors.
Summary
In summary, this article presents a curated list of the best teacher apps in 2023, aiming to enhance productivity and efficiency in education. The highlighted apps offer diverse functionalities, from creating virtual classrooms to fostering positive classroom culture.
Moreover, the article emphasizes the integration of WPS AI into WPS Office, offering teachers a powerful tool to enhance work efficiency. The steps for downloading and using WPS AI are outlined, providing a valuable resource for educators seeking to streamline their teaching process.
