If you are an educator or parent, your main goal is to help your students be successful. The best way to achieve this goal is by regularly working together as well as utilizing resources that are designed to supplement and enhance the learning experience. Thankfully, there are a number of tools available that both educators and parents can turn to.
Here are 6 effective tools to help your student have a better learning experience.
1 Class Dojo. Class Dojo is a tool that can help educators facilitate communication by sending messages, photos, and videos directly to parents, as well as post announcements and create photo albums that are visible to everyone. It is also a powerful behavior management tool, which you can use to easily track student behavior and monitor progress over time. Because it’s all digital, it’s easy to share data with both parents and administrators. Class Dojo is great for facilitating communication, encouraging positive behavior, and simplifying behavior management.
2 Schoology. Schoology is a tool that can be used by both parents and educators to help children learn. It’s an online platform that provides a variety of resources, including lesson plans, instructional videos, and assessment tools. Schoology also offers a social media-style networking feature that allows parents and educators to connect with each other and share ideas.
3 IXL. IXL is a math and English Language Arts (ELA) practice program for grades K-12 that goes above and beyond simple drill-and-kill style exercises. Some of the features that make IXL a valuable tool for parents and educators include:
- aligned with state and national standards so you can be confident your child is receiving a high-quality education
- personalized learning experience
- detailed explanations and helpful hints for every question
- real time content to ensure appropriate, yet challenging curriculum
- rich data tools, allowing for tracking of your child’s progress
4 Khan Academy. Khan Academy is a website that offers free educational resources for students of all ages. The site includes videos, practice exercises, and articles on a variety of subjects, including math, science, history, and more. Khan Academy also offers courses for parents and educators on how to use the site to support their children’s learning. For example, once you’ve administered an excellent math assessment to gauge your student’s current math level, Khan academy’s structured platform can provide you with targeted lessons and instruction.
5 Classwize. Classwize offers a variety of resources for parents, including tips on helping kids with homework, advice on dealing with difficult conversations with teachers, and guidance on navigating the college admissions process. In addition, the platform hosts a community of other parents who are facing similar challenges, providing support and insight. All of these resources can help parents feel more confident and better equipped to help their children succeed in school. Classwize also provides a number of resources for educators, such as tips on differentiating instruction, advice on managing challenging behavior in the classroom, and guidance on using technology in the classroom. As it does for parents, Classwize also hosts a community of educators who can lean on each other for support and camaraderie.
6 Learning Heroes. The Learning Heroes toolkit contains all the resources needed to help your child succeed in school. Among many other things, this toolkit provides the following: A guide to matching your child’s learning style with the appropriate teaching methods, tips on how to encourage a love of learning in your child, a list of recommended educational websites and apps, and an extensive list of resources for parents and educators. This resource is true to its name in every way, helping parents, educators, and students maximize their learning in powerful ways.
Today, there are an abundance of effective educational tools and resources that parents and educators can turn to for help. With the number of different learning styles and needs that students have, these tools can be a tremendous help in meeting and supporting them where they are. Whether it is a communication, curriculum, or pedagogy concern, you can easily access the right tool(s) to help address the problem area. As parents and educators, you strive to provide the best education for your students. By utilizing tools for extra guidance and support, you will ensure a positive learning experience for yourself, as well as for your students.