Educational Resources for Teachers (part 2)

   In the digital age, technology has become an integral part of education, transforming traditional teaching methods and providing educators with powerful tools to engage students. Two of the most widely used web browsers, Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, offer an impressive list of features that teachers can leverage to enhance their lessons and streamline classroom activities. In the first part of this article we presented some software tools and also some hardware requirements for a great teaching experience, now we focus on some additional tools with great educational potential.

   Microsoft Edge (image above), the revamped and improved browser from Microsoft, comes with several features that can significantly benefit teachers in their daily tasks: the built-in Collections feature in Microsoft Edge allows educators to gather and organize online resources quickly. Teachers can collect relevant articles, videos, and web pages related to their lesson plans, making it easy to share curated content with students. This feature not only saves time but also ensures that educators have a well-organized set of resources at their disposal. In addition to its productivity features, Microsoft Edge prioritizes security and privacy. The browser incorporates robust security measures, making it a reliable choice for educators who deal with sensitive student information online. Teachers can rest assured that their online interactions are protected, fostering a safe learning environment for their students.

   Google Chrome (image above), with its user-friendly interface and extensive range of extensions, is another valuable tool for teachers. One standout feature is the ability to create and manage multiple user profiles. This feature is particularly useful for educators who share devices with their students, allowing them to switch between profiles and maintain personalized settings for different classes. Google Chrome’s integration with Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, enhances collaboration and communication in the classroom. With applications like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, teachers can create, share, and edit documents in real-time with students. This fosters a collaborative learning environment and facilitates feedback, making the teaching and learning process more interactive. Furthermore, the Chrome Web Store offers a vast array of extensions (for the desktop versions of Chrome and Edge) and apps designed specifically for educators. Tools like Kami, a PDF and document annotation app, and Docamatic, an enhanced tool that can help teachers add sticky notes and text content to web based lessons during presentations. These extensions (which work on both browsers, Edge and Chrome) enable teachers to customize their lessons and adapt to diverse learning styles.

   If you want to have a smooth Internet browsing experience – without ADS (ads have absolutely no justification to show up during educational activities – teachers and students DO NOT have time to waste, and they are not the target audience anyway), use the extensions below to enhance and protect your internet browsing on your computer, on Google Chrome or the new Microsoft Edge Browser – click “add” or “get” after you reach each link:

➛ Sponsor Block blocks sponsor parts in YouTube videos.

➛ Privacy Badger blocks social networking tracking.

➛ AdGuard Adblocker blocks ads.

➛ Ghostery blocks the tracking of your web visits.

➛ uBlock Origin blocks all ads and popups.

   Additional Apps for Classroom Success:
1. PDF-XChange Pro – This one has to be installed to be used but it is the ultimate tool when you have to work with PDFs. PDF-XChange Pro has been reviewed twice here, on our site: it’s an indispensable tool if you work with multiple PDFs every day.
2. Quizizz.com (web based): it’s the platform where you can create or generate interactive quizzes that can be used to check knowledge level and gather feedback.
3. EdPuzzle.com (web based – image above): this website allows teachers to turn videos into interactive lessons by embedding questions, quizzes, and comments. EdPuzzle ensures that students stay engaged and provides educators with valuable insights into their comprehension.

   To wrap things up, integrating these tools on a computer makes any educator ready to face head on any potential challenges that may come up when one has to create, manage and distribute educational e-learning content. Such tools will also show to the students that the edu-content creator cares for the quality of the work for them and that the teacher likes to come to class prepared. Of course, some teachers may have different preferences, but each of them should do proper research and find out the best tools that can assist in getting the job done faster and easier. It’s all about “working smarter, not (necessarily) harder”.