Ed Tech Tools for Virtual, Hybrid, or In-Person Learning

As educators return to teaching in the 2021 - 22 school year, lesson planning is just one of the many challenges they will face. However, whether those classrooms are in-person, remote, or hybrid, teachers can future-proof their lessons with tools that can be used in any classroom environment.


Below we will review some of the best edtech tools that teachers can add to their toolkits.


Google Workspace for Education


Teachers have been using tools like Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Meet throughout the pandemic as a way to engage with students during a challenging time for everyone. Those who know Google well understand that these tools are constantly evolving, as does their impact on student learning. Here are just a few examples of new ways Google tools have changed teaching and learning:


Google Classroom


Teachers can now schedule assignments across multiple classrooms in just a few clicks and all at once! 


This was the #1 requested feature from educators; and teachers finally have this option!


Google also announced a new update at the Anywhere School that has teachers buzzing - student engagement tracking! Teachers will be able to view when a student was last active, the last time they submitted an assignment, and participation through comments.


Docs


Teachers can now use new interactive checklists for activities such as student progress monitoring, collaboration with colleagues, or individual productivity.


New voting table templates will be released soon and can be used for a variety of things like formative assessment, quick student surveys, and so much more!


Google Meet


Meet has recently undergone some major host improvements. Teachers will soon be able to co-host virtual sessions and have greater control over student participation. 


In addition, teachers can leverage some new engagement features within Meet sessions.


Forms


Google is increasing Forms efficiency and customization power for learning activities. From mental health check-ins to formative assessment to gauge student progress and inform instruction, teachers will have more control over the look and feel of Forms for students.


Beginning Sept.15th, Forms will also automatically save participant responses for 30 days - or until the form is submitted.  This is another long-awaited update, and teachers will be thrilled!


Jamboard


Jamboard is Google's collaborative, interactive whiteboard, but teachers don't have to have a physical Jamboard to get the benefits of the app! 


An amazing tool for group collaboration, students can engage with one another using drawings, images, and text. Use Jamboard for emotional check-ins or awesome interactive lessons on topics like coin counting, cell structure, and even the Bill of Rights.


Seesaw


Seesaw is a student engagement and collaboration platform that students and teachers can use in any classroom environment. Students can demonstrate what they have learned through a digital portfolio of sorts where they can insert elements like drawings, videos, voiceovers, and pictures! 


Flipgrid


A video discussion tool, Flipgrid is perfect for social learning, which is more important now that ever. 


Teachers can present a video for discussion and groups of students can then post their video responses seamlessly - even from a smartphone! Flipgrid is a great way to stay connected with students during remote and hybrid learning.


Nearpod


Nearpod "makes every lesson interactive". Teachers can create lessons for students with activities like gamified quizzes and virtual reality. They can also save time by borrowing from the wide array of lessons that are already in the Nearpod library!


The three teaching modes - live participation, student-paced, and front of class -  give teachers the flexibility to use this tool in all learning environments.


Surviving to Thriving


For teachers, the 2020 - 21 school year was about surviving teaching with technology. Now that they have some great foundational edtech skills, the 2021 - 22 goal is thriving with it. 


Even for districts who are facilitating in-person classes, the unfortunate reality is that quarantine will continue to force teachers into some state of hybrid or blended teaching, at least in the near future.


MobileMind provides competency-based, relevant PD on all of the tools mentioned above! Don’t lose the great edtech momentum from the previous year of foundational skill-building.  If you want to ensure that your teachers are thriving with instructional technology this year, schedule a call with us to learn how MobileMind's agile PD platform prepares teachers for any instruction model.

From Observation to Action: How Data-Driven Feedback Fuels Teacher Professional Development

December 23, 2025
Teachers' ability to adapt to new teaching methods, technology, and student needs requires continuous growth and development. This is where teacher coaching and observations become essential—not just as stand-alone practices but as integrated components of a comprehensive professional development strategy. Today’s students are growing up in a digital world quite different from the one that their teachers knew when they were students. For the absolute beginner, the learning curve to using new EdTech can be steep. School leaders are finding that to meet the challenge, they need to update the content and delivery of their district’s professional development (PD) programs. Here is a roundup of educational technology trends that we are seeing today and how these technologies are changing how teachers need to pursue PD. Customizable Rubrics for Tailored Observations One-size-fits-all approaches to teacher observations simply don't work. Every school and district is unique, and so are their instructional needs. By integrating customizable rubrics into the observation process, administrators can easily build and tailor observation tools to meet their specific objectives. Customized rubrics provide a clear framework for consistent, meaningful observations, whether focusing on student engagement, classroom management, or technology integration. With flexibility, administrators can ensure that observations are aligned with the school's instructional goals while teachers receive relevant and actionable feedback. Customizable rubrics also make it easier to acknowledge where a teacher has exceeded expectations, offering a platform for celebrating strengths while pinpointing growth areas. Detailed Feedback: A Pathway to Improvement As the Adult Learning Theory emphasizes, feedback for adult learners should be timely, relevant, respectful of their experience, and provide actionable guidance to foster self-directed improvement and motivation. Teachers need more than a score or general comments to improve—they need detailed feedback and actionable steps. This feedback should not only highlight areas where they excel but also offer actionable suggestions for improvement. The coaching process becomes more effective when observation tools are designed with this level of detail. Teachers can reflect on specific aspects of their practice, understand how to adjust, and work with coaches to implement changes. Detailed feedback is also essential in promoting teacher agency. Teachers are empowered to take ownership of their professional growth when they receive concrete, constructive insights. This kind of feedback loop fosters a culture of continuous improvement, benefiting both educators and students alike. Data Aggregation: Driving Informed Decisions One of the most powerful advantages of integrating teacher coaching and observations with professional development is the ability to aggregate data. By collecting and analyzing observation data over time, schools can gain a holistic view of teacher performance. This information can then inform professional development opportunities, resource allocation, and teacher evaluations when appropriate. For example, data-driven insights can identify common areas where teachers across the school or district may need additional support. This enables administrators to create and facilitate targeted professional development that directly addresses these needs, leading to more effective PD sessions that directly impact classroom instruction. Furthermore, aggregated data ensures a more objective observation process, reducing bias and ensuring that decisions are based on clear evidence. MobileMind, the modern professional learning hub, includes comprehensive coaching and observation tools that align with the entire PD lifecycle . By leveraging customizable rubrics, detailed feedback, and data aggregation, we provide schools and districts with the tools they need to support their teachers effectively and objectively. Through this integrated approach, MobileMind helps administrators and educators work together to create a dynamic learning environment where teachers thrive.

How to Secure Teacher Buy-In When Launching a New Professional Development Program

December 23, 2025
Launching a new professional development program can be pivotal for school districts, impacting everything from teacher engagement to student outcomes. However, even the most innovative PD initiative will only be as successful as its buy-in from teachers. To truly inspire a culture of growth, the PD program needs to feel relevant, manageable, and rewarding to those who will benefit from it most: educators. Below are strategies for securing teacher buy-in. 1. Understand the Core Needs of Adult Learners Teachers, like all adult learners, want to know that their time and effort are being put to good use. Traditional, lecture-based PD sessions often fall short because they don’t align with the practical, self-directed nature of adult learning theory . Adults bring a wealth of prior experience, and they are most engaged when learning is relevant, practical, and can be applied directly to their work. Actionable Tips: Connect Learning to Real-World Applications: Make it clear how the PD content will help solve immediate classroom challenges. For example, if educators struggle with tech integration, provide targeted micro-courses focused on tools they can access. Offer Choice and Customization: Allow teachers to personalize their PD experience by choosing the courses or learning paths that align with their needs or interests. Giving teachers a sense of voice and choice over their learning path fosters a stronger commitment. 2. Embrace Micro-Learning to Respect Time Constraints Time is a precious commodity for teachers. Launching a program that feels like a time drain can quickly lead to resistance. Instead, consider breaking down the PD curriculum into micro-courses—short, focused lessons that fit easily into a teacher’s busy schedule. Micro-learning respects teachers’ time and helps them digest information in manageable portions, leading to better retention. Actionable Tips: Set Manageable Learning Goals: Micro-courses allow for incremental, achievable goals, which can increase teachers’ motivation and sense of accomplishment. Encourage Consistent, Bite-Sized Learning: A structure that promotes frequent, small doses of learning rather than occasional intensive sessions helps to reinforce knowledge without overwhelming educators. 3. Incorporate Gamification to Boost Engagement and Motivation Gamification— integrating game-like elements into the learning experience—can be a powerful tool to engage teachers. Progress trackers, badges, and other rewards provide a tangible sense of achievement and encourage healthy competition. Incorporating gamified elements into PD can inspire friendly challenges and celebrate teachers’ learning milestones. Actionable Tips: Reward Progress and Milestones: Implement a digital badge system to recognize teachers as they progress through their courses. A leaderboard can also motivate by celebrating those who have reached significant milestones. Promote Collaborative Challenges: Gamified challenges or group activities can create a collaborative culture around PD, allowing teachers to encourage each other’s growth and discuss what they’re learning. 4. Highlight the Immediate Benefits and Celebrate Early Wins When teachers can see the value of the new PD program right away, they’re more likely to invest in it. Highlighting quick wins, like how a single session helped a teacher engage their students or streamline lesson planning, can create a positive ripple effect across the district. Actionable Tips: Share Success Stories: Encourage early adopters to share their experiences and successes. Whether it’s a teacher using a newly learned strategy or one achieving a certification, share these wins to inspire others. Recognize and Reward Early Participants: Acknowledge the first group of participants by spotlighting them in meetings or district-wide newsletters. This reinforces a positive perception of the program and encourages others to join. 5. Leverage Peer Influence for a Stronger Commitment Teachers are often most influenced by their peers, so tapping into this social dynamic can be invaluable for PD initiatives. Consider building a “PD Champions” network within your district—educators passionate about professional growth and willing to help their peers navigate the program. When teachers see respected colleagues invested in PD, they’re more likely to follow suit. Actionable Tips: Create a Peer Coaching System: A support system of peer coaches or mentors can make PD feel more accessible and less intimidating for those hesitant to try something new. Hold Collaborative Workshops: Group settings allow teachers to learn together and share insights, creating a collaborative culture around the PD program. 6. Emphasize Flexibility to Reduce Resistance One of the biggest hurdles in PD adoption is the feeling that it adds another obligation to an already packed schedule. By making the program flexible and accessible, you’ll reduce resistance and create a more welcoming environment for learning. Actionable Tips: Allow for Self-Paced Learning: Give teachers the freedom to complete their courses at their own pace, respect their time, and make learning more accessible. Offer Multiple Access Points: Your program should be accessible across devices, with the option to complete sessions during lunch, after school, or even from home, meet teachers where they are, and reduce participation barriers. 7. Gather and Act on Feedback No one knows what teachers need from PD better than teachers themselves. Regular feedback helps you tailor the program and makes teachers feel valued and invested in its success. A successful PD program evolves based on the input of its participants, ensuring relevance and engagement. Actionable Tips: Conduct Quick Pulse Surveys: After a learning path, invite feedback. A short survey or a simple thumbs-up/thumbs-down can provide insights without adding extra work. Host Listening Sessions: Give teachers a voice in the PD program’s evolution by inviting them to share what’s working, what’s not, and what they want to see next. By designing a program that aligns with adult learning principles, respects time constraints, and incorporates gamified and flexible learning options, you’ll create an exciting experience in which teachers are excited to participate. When teachers see the value in PD, they’re more likely to integrate their new skills into their classrooms, benefiting students across the district.