Teachers, we’ll hold a brief moment of silence for you as you head back into the classroom this school year. Only kidding. We know most of you are super excited to get back into it and continue making a difference in the lives of your students. As another school year approaches—or maybe it’s your first one—it certainly doesn’t hurt to try new things, like integrating some first-time EdTech tools in your instruction.
Many of those new things will almost certainly come in the form of different educational technologies. Everything from robotics and coding to engineering, 3D printing, and virtual reality is on the table this school year. If you’ve got the budget and an open mind, we’re here with our 10 best back-to-school EdTech recommendations for teachers. They span all grade levels and, honestly, open up a whole new world of innovative possibilities inside the classroom.
1. Cubetto Early Education Coding Robot
We told you our Back to School EdTech suggestions span every grade level and we really meant it! The Cubetto is an extremely simple, introductory robot that’s designed to introduce kids to coding in either Pre-K or kindergarten. Its surface is wooden and its top side has inlets, where kids can insert blocks that act as programming cues. Depending on the combinations, the Cubetto moves accordingly, showing kids the basics of real-world coding earlier than ever!
2. Ozobot Evo Robot
There’s a new way for students to learn programming with robotics and it’s giving them the opportunity for a much more social learning experience. The Ozobot Evo includes many of the same features as the Ozobot Bit, but facilitates a new kind of learning. Kids can collaborate and take advantage of a wide range of features while they take their coding skills to the next level. Ozobot Evo is primed to position kids to get comfortable with the introductory elements of coding, innovative problem solving, and interactive exploration as they use its Bluetooth capability to communicate with their friends!
3. MOD-t 3D Printer
Then, if you’ve been toying with the idea of implementing 3D printing in your classroom or library or maybe even launching a 3D printer lab in your school, the MOD-t 3D printer is the perfect starter model. It’s affordable (just $300!), easy for students to use, and the perfect size for fitting it into your plans. It combines the essential elements of educational 3D printing by seamlessly supplying accessibility, affordability, ease of use, and eye-popping precision. Dubbed the “complete 3D printing experience,” the MOD-t is enormously powerful for its desktop size. It's also completely safe for students who are just starting out with this type of EdTech.
4. Dash and Dot Robots
The robot pair, which is also part of our Back to School Sale, allows kids to get creative with coding and enables educators to access another level of instruction. These ‘bots move fluidly and, when paired with a tablet and any of their compatible apps, are excellent for allowing kids to see how programming works. Not only can students create the programs and gain valuable coding skills, they’re able to extend their creativity and design fun courses for the Dash and Dot to navigate, combining technology and play for a more fun and beneficial learning experience.
5. E-Blox Circuitry Kits
You know that LEGO’s are a valuable tool for STEM education. But, did you know that you could get electronic LEGO’s that are both conductive and luminant? Well, you now can! The E-Blox pieces take the benefits of LEGO learning a step further and extend maker learning in the classroom. Students can construct LEGO structures—just like they’re used to doing—only now, they can add lights to their designs! The best part is that if kids connect the pieces incorrectly, the blocks will buzz to let them they have a short circuit.
6. MakerBot Mini 3D Printer
The MakerBot Mini does cost more than the MOD-t models, but students get more precision and much faster printing. MakerBot is one of the most trusted names in educational 3D printing and EdTech in general and it's an excellent addition to any new makerspace. Students can use its intuitive software to design custom objects and devices they can use to help solve problems or pass on to others to help them execute innovative action. Plus, knowing how to use a 3D printer will benefit students and the MakerBot Mini is a great starting point.
7. littleBits Code Kit
For another coding option in the classroom, the littleBits Code Kit is something that cannot be overlooked. We’re all about combining multiple parts of STEM education, and any educator who’s on the same wavelength needs this kit. Students can construct increasingly innovative inventions and use the power of code to control their movements and functions. The Code Kit multiplies maker education and adds in the all-important aspect of coding to create a top-notch EdTech experience.
8. Edison Robot
We are perhaps the biggest Edison Robot advocates in STEM education, but there is good reason for that. This tiny and virtually indestructible robot helps teach kids programming in a way no other ‘bot does—by using barcodes. Depending on what barcode Edison scans, it can be programmed in one of six different modes, including to respond to noise, follow lines, stay within borders, and more. Kids can also use software to create more complex programs and upload them to the Edison for added exposure to what it’s like to code solutions to everyday problems.
9. Oculus Rift VR Bundle
Before you stop reading, virtual reality is not outrageously expensive and it will only continue to get more affordable. With that being said, to obtain the most immersive VR experiences, you will need to spend some money because they require top computing systems to run at their optimal level. With the Oculus Rift Bundle, you get everything in the package, including the headset, sensors, computing system, and controllers. And, the educational possibilities this tool provides are second to none.
10. Sphero Robots
If you want one more suggestion for robotics and coding, Sphero is ideal for igniting active learning and catalyzing classroom excitement. It uses Bluetooth connectivity and app to introduce coding, but kids can control it with their fingers as well. Integrate Sphero into science classes by sending it off ramps, learning about acceleration, and, of course, build programming skills. Kids can use the Sphero to learn programming with blocks and different languages as they have fun and get ready for their next STEM challenges!
To be honest, we don’t have enough time to recommend all the EdTech products we’d like to share. These are just 10 of the best and the most we can squeeze into one blog post. Each one of them is available at our store and, don’t forget, the Cubetto Robot, Ozobot Evo, Dash, Dot, MakerBot Mini 3D printer, littleBits Code Kit, and Sphero Robots are all available at Educator Discount pricing until Sept. 15 as part of our Back to School Sale! And, remember, you can get discounted prices all year long by signing up for an Educator Discount. Good luck to everybody as you get back in the classroom!