As a kindergarten teacher, I’m always looking for ways to make learning engaging, accessible, and meaningful. Over the past few years, integrating technology and AI into my classroom has transformed not just how I teach—but how my students learn, explore, and connect.
Starting with Purpose
For me, tech isn't about using flashy tools for the sake of it. It's about purposeful integration. Whether I’m using interactive Seesaw activities, QR codes for independent centers, or videos created with Screencastify, the goal is always the same: to support my students' learning and make them more independent and confident.
AI Tools that Work for Young Learners (and Their Teachers!)
I’ve recently started using a few AI-powered tools to streamline lesson planning and differentiate instruction. Platforms like MagicSchool.ai help generate ideas, simplify language for ELLs, and even suggest classroom strategies. It’s been a game changer when I need to adapt something quickly for a student with an IEP or find a new way to introduce a tricky math concept.
I also use Curipod, an AI-powered tool that turns my ideas into interactive lessons with polls, drawing responses, and visual supports. My students especially love Curipod activities that let them draw their answers or vote on class questions—it’s a great way to build engagement while checking for understanding.
Making Learning Interactive with Deck.Toys
One of my favorite platforms to use during centers is Deck.Toys. It lets me create self-paced learning paths with interactive games and activities. I design decks for everything from letter identification to number sequencing, and students love unlocking each step as they go. It’s great for differentiating—some students may work on letter names while others are matching rhyming words or solving counting challenges—all within the same deck.
Creating with Canva
We also use Canva for Education to create visuals, especially for our vocabulary and writing routines. I’ve designed digital picture dictionaries, sentence starters, and even “All About Me” slides that students can customize with help. Canva’s AI tools like Magic Write and text-to-image make it easy for me to build templates that scaffold early writing, especially for ELLs who benefit from both pictures and text.
Seesaw for Voice, Choice, and Language Practice
Seesaw continues to be one of the most powerful tools in my room. It allows students to respond with drawings, photos, or voice recordings—perfect for early writers and English language learners. I often use it for literacy reflections, math explanations, or even a “weekend news” routine where students can speak and draw about their lives, supporting oral language and confidence.
Gamifying Review with Blooket
To reinforce foundational skills, we use Blooket as a game-based review tool. I create picture-supported question sets for letter sounds, sight words, and number sense. Even my youngest learners can access the games with a little modeling—and the excitement during a Blooket match is unmatched!
Streamlining My Teaching with Stream Deck
Behind the scenes, I use a Stream Deck to manage classroom tech more efficiently. With one tap, I can launch a Nearpod lesson, switch to a countdown timer, play transition music, or mute/unmute videos. It helps me stay present with my students instead of fumbling through tabs or tech setups. It’s a small tool that makes a big impact on the flow of my day. Watch below to view three ways you could use a Stream Deck in your classroom!
Empowering My Students with Tech
My kindergartners are becoming tech-savvy in their own right. We use tools like Nearpod for interactive read-alouds and math lessons, and they practice number recognition through games I’ve created on Scratch. I’ve even introduced basic coding through tap-and-play activities—yes, even 5-year-olds can code in a way that makes sense to them!
Staying Grounded in Relationships
Even with all the innovation, one thing remains constant: relationships come first. Tech and AI are just tools—but when used with intention, they help me connect with my students, personalize learning, and free up time to give more one-on-one support.
Final Thoughts
The digital world is moving fast, and I want my students to feel ready—not overwhelmed. By modeling curiosity, digital citizenship, and adaptability, I hope I’m not just teaching them how to use tech—I’m teaching them how to learn in a world where tech is always changing.
Meggan,
ReplyDeleteI like that each edtech tool you mentioned has its purpose, not just to bring more tech into the classrooms, but to actually support the way your students learn. It's easy to overlook how how much time teachers spend managing systems and its great that you've looked for ways to simplify that so you can remain focus on your students.
More importantly, I love the fact that the technology you have chosen are meaningful because you are using it to give your students more ways to show what they know and to build their confidence.
I liked and appreciate how intentionally you integrate technology to meet students where they are while also building independence and confidence. Your use of tools like Deck.Toys, Canva, and Blooket really stood out to me those are platforms I’ve used and love for making learning interactive and engaging.
ReplyDeleteI’ll be teaching kindergarten this summer, so I found your examples especially helpful. I haven’t explored Curipod or Seesaw yet, but the way you described how they support voice, choice, and creativity in the early grades really sparked my interest. You’ve given me new tools to explore and a renewed focus on using tech to empower even our youngest learners!