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Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a brilliant scientist? I wondered myself a few times. We could assume that the most desirable skills for someone who enters a STEM field would be things like large scientific knowledge or laser attention to detail. However, when I questioned a group of local scientists for their opinion, these qualities only appeared in 15% of the responses. Instead, they prioritize qualities such as curiosity, creativity and, above all, teamwork.
As a long-standing STEM Educator, I intend to understand the value of teamwork, both in the class and beyond. Teamwork is essential to build the socio-emotional intelligence of students. It allows students to make responsible choices, to build healthy relationships and to explore various ideas. Collaboration is also essential to human scientific progress. Almost all the great progress of human history has involved several people working together to achieve a common goal. This is why I wanted to search for the best Edtech tools to promote teamwork and communication between my students.
Here are only four Edtech tools that can help transform teamwork into class::
- Pagayé: One of my first essential tools is Padlet – it is super easy to use and works very well for classes 3-12. Students can publish text, images or videos, which makes it perfect for brainstorming, digital discussions and resource sharing. I particularly like to use it for collaborative deadlines, cards and comments by peers. Better still, it can be used for free, while larger subscriptions remain affordable.
- White board: The whiteboard is ideal for K-12 classes and works particularly well for drawing, images and mathematical symbols. Unlike Padlet, it is not free – but the features are worth it. I used it for activities such as labeling parts of a bulb, where students can draw, type and share without the pressure of the presentation. It is a fun and low stressful way to make the whole class work together.
- Figjam: This Edtech tool is like an endless digital canvas where students can make their own space and enjoy the tons of creative features. I used Figjam to accommodate course debates, project planning and even facilitate games. Students can even record their voices to analyze poetry or break out famous speeches. No matter how you use it, Figjam is talking about children, thinking and working together.
- Parley:: Parley is excellent for the main structured conversations from 3rd to 12th year. The tool is delivered with real -time monitoring of the contributions and the commitment of students while allowing individual or group comments. It is the tool for the teacher who seeks to organize a Socratic seminar or robust debates in class. The main drawback is that students must be comfortable with textual communication. As such, it may be preferable to use this Edtech tool in more advanced classrooms.
Although the education landscape is still changing, the continuation of knowledge will forever remain a group project. By integrating these Edtech tools into my lessons, I cultivate an environment of curiosity and collaboration where each student feels heard. This gives them skills and trust not only to meet the challenges of the class, but also those waiting for them in adulthood. So, let's take advantage of these Edtech tools and help our students take their first steps in the daring future full of stems.
