Welcome to the EdTech Essentials blog, your weekly source for insights, trends, and practical applications of educational technology aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and research in our academic community.
Note: Features may change with future updates.
As the Spring 2025 semester wraps up, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the tools, tips, and teaching strategies we explored together in the EdTech Essentials blog. From accessibility and engagement to storytelling and gamification, this semester’s posts were designed to spark ideas and support your ongoing work in the classroom—whether online, in-person, or hybrid.
Below is a roundup of this semester’s highlights in case you missed any or want to revisit a favorite!
Faculty Development and Foundational Skills
- Faculty EdTech Bootcamp Wrap-Up
A recap of our January Bootcamp featuring essential tools and strategies for starting the semester strong. - Panopto vs. Canva vs. Google Vids
A head-to-head comparison of video creation tools to help you choose the best fit for your needs. - Quick Charts Using Google Sheets
Create simple visuals fast to bring data into the classroom in a meaningful way—no design degree required.
Creative Teaching and Visual Engagement
- Storytelling with Timelines
Tips and tools for turning timelines into storytelling platforms that build context and spark student curiosity. - A Practical Guide to Enhancing Student Engagement with Zoom Polls
Move beyond simple yes/no questions to boost interaction and formative feedback. - Bad Photos and Shaky Video Welcome
A reminder that authenticity trumps perfection when it comes to building connection through multimedia. - Level Up: A Recap of Gamification Workshop and Next Steps at FTD
Highlights from our Faculty Technology Day session on gamification and how to bring these ideas into your own course.
Accessibility and Equity
- Speechify for Accessibility
An overview of this text-to-speech tool and how it supports neurodivergent learners and those with reading challenges. - Top Five Accessibility Tips
Simple, high-impact changes to make your course more inclusive and accessible to all students.
Deep Thinking and Innovative Pedagogy
- Navigating the Cognitive Eras Information Flood
A big-picture reflection on how students process information today—and what that means for teaching and technology. - Transforming Higher Education with Project-Based Learning
Strategies for creating authentic, student-driven projects that connect classroom learning with real-world outcomes.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new Accessibility in Action blog series this fall, featuring practical tips, tools, and success stories that highlight inclusive teaching strategies in action across our community.
Have a topic you’d like to see covered? Email us or book a consultation to share your ideas.
Thank you for being part of this community of creative, curious, and compassionate educators. Here’s to a restful summer and more tech-powered teaching ahead!
Looking for assistance in integrating educational technology into your classroom? Visit the EdTech website for resources or reach out to our team!
EdTech Consultation Calendar | edtech@fordham.edu | www.fordham.edu/edtech