Student Engagement Tools for High School Classrooms by Angela Yarbrough

TED-Ed

conleyar — 2025-08-06 18:40:25 UTC

TED-Ed provides high-interest, curriculum-aligned animated videos with built-in questions, discussion guides, and further reading (Liu, 2023). Perfect for sparking curiosity, supporting flipped classrooms, or launching discussions in high school.

Prezi

conleyar — 2025-08-06 19:08:32 UTC

Prezi allows teachers and students to create visually engaging, animated presentations that zoom between ideas instead of moving slide-by-slide (Bender & Bull, 2012). This motion-based design captures attention and helps students organize and retain information more effectively (Bender & Bull, 2012). Prezi can be used by teachers for lesson delivery or by students for project-based learning.

PhET Interactive Simulations

conleyar — 2025-08-06 19:17:13 UTC

Developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET offers simulations in physics, biology, chemistry, math, and earth science (Perkins et al., 2006). Students can manipulate variables, run experiments, and observe cause-and-effect relationships.

iCivics

conleyar — 2025-08-06 19:23:39 UTC

iCivics offers game-based simulations that place students in real-life decision-making roles (Stoddard, 2016). Learners explore topics such as leadership, community roles, and problem-solving in a virtual environment. iCivics builds engagement through role play, narrative-based learning, and real-world scenarios (Stoddard, 2016).

Amplify

conleyar — 2025-08-06 19:32:20 UTC

Amplify Classroom provides interactive lessons and simulations in math, science, and literacy (Amplify Education, Inc., n.d.). Teachers can select or build activities that engage students in real-world problem solving and critical thinking (Amplify Education, Inc., n.d.).

Brainscape

conleyar — 2025-08-06 19:39:34 UTC

Brainscape is a study tool that simulates adaptive flashcard-based learning (Cohen, 2025). It uses cognitive science to repeat complex concepts at spaced intervals based on each student's self-assessed mastery level (Cohen, 2025).

Wayground (Quizizz)

conleyar — 2025-08-06 20:16:53 UTC

Wayground (Quizizz) offers self-paced, game-based quizzes with automatic grading, real-time feedback, and detailed performance reports (Göksün & Gürsoy, 2019). Teachers can create their own quizzes or choose from thousands of ready-made options across all subjects.

Kahoot

conleyar — 2025-08-06 20:18:01 UTC

Kahoot! turns formative assessment into a competitive game where students answer timed multiple-choice questions and see live rankings (Göksün & Gürsoy, 2019). Teachers can assign quizzes as live or asynchronous sessions.

Blooket

conleyar — 2025-08-06 20:20:33 UTC

Blooket combines content review with strategy-based games (Erlangga, 2025). Teachers or students can create question sets that integrate with arcade-style games, making quizzes fun. It adds novelty and interactivity while reinforcing content knowledge (Erlangga, 2025).

Gimkit

conleyar — 2025-08-06 20:25:13 UTC

Gimkit is a live or asynchronous quiz game platform created by a high school student. Students earn in-game currency for correct answers and can use it for power-ups and gameplay advantages (Chang & Chang, 2025). Gimkit encourages repeated play, mastery, and engagement through choice and competition (Chang & Chang, 2025).

CrashCourse

conleyar — 2025-08-07 13:02:42 UTC

CrashCourse offers fast-paced, engaging video series on a wide range of high school subjects, including biology, history, economics, literature, and study skills (Crash Course, n.d.). CrashCourse is fun, informative, and perfect for flipping classrooms or reinforcing complex concepts (Crash Course, n.d.).

Khan Academy YouTube Channel

conleyar — 2025-08-07 13:04:33 UTC

Khan Academy’s official YouTube channel includes short instructional videos on math, science, ELA, computer science, and college readiness (Khan Academy, n.d.). Videos break down concepts into manageable steps with a calm, clear teaching style. It supports differentiated learning and can be used as supplemental instruction or remediation (Khan Academy, n.d.).

Edutopia YouTube Channel

conleyar — 2025-08-07 13:23:57 UTC

Edutopia shares real classroom examples, teacher interviews, and student-centered strategies (Edutopia, n.d.). Videos cover engagement, project-based learning, social-emotional learning, and classroom management (Edutopia, n.d.). Edutopia is research-based and practical for instructional improvement and professional development (Edutopia, n.d.).

Veritasium YouTube Channel

conleyar — 2025-08-07 13:56:37 UTC

Veritasium is a science and engineering channel that explores big questions, real-world experiments, and counterintuitive concepts with engaging demonstrations and storytelling (Veritasium, n.d.). Topics range from physics and math to critical thinking and problem-solving.

Smithsonian Learning Lab

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:00:46 UTC

Smithsonian Learning Lab provides access to digital museum collections, lesson plans, interactive tools, and primary sources (Smithsonian Learning Lab, n.d.). It supports history, science, culture, and art instruction. The Smithsonian Learning Lab encourages student inquiry through multimedia exploration of authentic artifacts and themes (Smithsonian Learning Lab, n.d.).

CommonLit

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:02:46 UTC

CommonLit offers free reading passages, paired texts, discussion prompts, and comprehension questions aligned with secondary ELA standards (CommonLit, n.d.). Includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and historical texts (CommonLit, n.d.).

ReadWriteThink

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:06:06 UTC

ReadWriteThink provides free lesson plans, interactive tools, printables, and strategy guides for literacy instruction (ReadWriteThink, n.d.). It offers engaging student activities, writing tools, and cross-curricular resources to support language arts and beyond (ReadWriteThink, n.d.).

Newsela

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:08:03 UTC

Newsela provides current events and nonfiction texts adapted for different reading levels, aligned to standards across subjects such as ELA, social studies, science, and SEL (Newsela, n.d.). It helps students connect classroom content to real-world issues while supporting differentiated instruction and student choice (Newsela, n.d.).

BrainPop

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:13:38 UTC

BrainPOP offers short, animated videos across core subjects like math, ELA, science, social studies, health, and arts (BrainPOP, n.d.). Each video is paired with interactive activities, quizzes, and vocabulary builders (BrainPOP, n.d.).

Canva

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:14:42 UTC

Canva for Education allows teachers and students to create visually animated presentations, infographics, timelines, graphic organizers, and concept maps across all content areas (Canva, n.d.). It includes animation features such as transitions, motion graphics, and engaging visual elements that help explain concepts step-by-step (Canva, n.d.).

References

conleyar — 2025-08-07 14:22:26 UTC