EdPuzzle App Review: Features & Tutorial for Teachers

In the ever-evolving world of education, EdPuzzle has emerged as a total game-changer, offering teachers a seamless way to integrate interactive video lessons into their classrooms. With its digital learning platform, EdPuzzle enables educators to transform ordinary online videos into dynamic teaching tools that captivate students and enhance student learning.

This article will guide teachers through understanding what EdPuzzle is, how to get started, and the tremendous benefits it brings to the classroom. Whether you’re a tech-savvy educator or just beginning your journey with online tools, EdPuzzle is a friendly place to start.

Step into my series as I unveil an array of cutting-edge educational technology tools suitable for the classroom. This collection features tools that bring you a mix of the classics you love and some cool hidden gems – because we all know the best tools aren’t always the ones in the spotlight.

What Is EdPuzzle?

EdPuzzle is a digital learning platform that allows teachers to take online videos from sources like YouTube, Khan Academy, Crash Course, National Geographic, and TED Ed, or even upload their own videos, and turn them into interactive video lessons. By adding assessment questions, audio notes, or their own voice, teachers can tailor content to meet specific learning objectives and ensure maximum engagement.

This platform caters to educators across disciplines, from math and science to history and language arts. Whether you’re a D-E teacher or teaching advanced courses, EdPuzzle offers a wide variety of sources and video channels to align with your curriculum.

Getting Started with EdPuzzle

Getting started with EdPuzzle is simple and user-friendly, even for those new to technology. Follow these steps:

1. Create a Teacher Account

To begin, create a teacher account on EdPuzzle using your Google account or single sign-on credentials. This ensures compliance with GDPR laws and provides secure access for both teachers and students.

2. Explore the Curriculum Library

Once logged in, you’ll have access to a robust curriculum library filled with pre-made video content and EdPuzzle video lessons. The search experience is intuitive, allowing you to find videos from trusted sources like Learn Zillion, Khan Academy, and more.

3. Customize Your Video Lessons

EdPuzzle allows you to personalize videos by:

• Inserting choice questions and open-ended questions to assess understanding.
• Adding audio notes or narrating with your own voice to emphasize key points.
• Cropping or editing videos to create own versions that suit your specific learning objectives.

4. Assign to Students

You can assign video lessons directly through platforms like Google Classroom or via the EdPuzzle app. Students can complete assignments on their own devices, ensuring accessibility for all learners.

5. Monitor Student Progress

EdPuzzle’s detailed analytics track student progress in real-time, allowing teachers to identify areas where students may need additional support.

Benefits of EdPuzzle for the Classroom

EdPuzzle offers numerous advantages that make it a must-have tool for modern educators:

1. Improved Student Engagement

By transforming passive videos into active learning experiences, EdPuzzle increases student engagement. Features like embedded assessment questions and interactive components encourage students to think critically and stay focused.

2. Support for Frequently Absent Students

For frequently absent students, EdPuzzle is a lifesaver. Assignments can be accessed anytime, anywhere, ensuring that no student falls behind due to attendance issues.

3. Tailored Learning Experiences

With the ability to use own videos and add custom elements, teachers can create lessons that align perfectly with their curriculum. This flexibility ensures lessons meet specific learning objectives.

4. Versatility Across Subjects

EdPuzzle’s volume of available content and wide variety of sources make it suitable for all subjects. From using math tutorials in the math center to historical documentaries, the possibilities are endless.

5. Enhanced Formative Assessment

EdPuzzle supports formative assessment by providing detailed analytics on student responses. Teachers can identify strengths and weaknesses, tailoring instruction to meet individual needs.

6. Live Mode for Real-Time Interaction

The live mode feature enables teachers to project video lessons in class while tracking student responses in real time. This fosters collaboration and immediate feedback during lessons.

7. Unlimited Storage Space

EdPuzzle provides unlimited storage space for teachers to upload and save original videos, making it easy to build a library of personalized resources.

8. Integration with Online Tools

Seamless integration with platforms like Google Classroom and the EdPuzzle app simplifies the process of assigning and managing lessons.

Tips for Maximizing EdPuzzle in the Classroom

To make the most of EdPuzzle, consider these strategies:

• Set Clear Objectives: Define what you want students to achieve with each lesson. Use assessment questions to reinforce key concepts.
• Use a Mix of Sources: Combine videos from popular video channels like TED Ed, National Geographic, and Crash Course with your own videos for a diverse learning experience.
• Leverage Analytics: Regularly review the detailed analytics to monitor progress and adjust your teaching strategies.
• Engage with Audio Notes: Personalize lessons by adding audio notes or narrations in your own voice.
• Incorporate Live Mode: Use the live mode for interactive lessons during class, enhancing participation and student engagement.

While EdPuzzle offers incredible features, its main drawback is the time investment required to create customized video lessons from scratch. However, the benefits far outweigh this challenge, as the platform ultimately saves time by reusing and refining content over multiple years.

In addition, you have the ability to use videos other teachers have already created, which on the opposite end, can be a complete time saver!

Real-Life Applications in the Classroom

EdPuzzle has been a game-changer for countless teachers. Here are some examples of its applications:

• Math Centers: Teachers can create interactive math tutorials tailored to their students’ needs, turning the math center into a hub for independent learning.
• Absent Students: Assignments ensure that students who miss class can stay on track, accessing lessons on their own devices.
• Engaging History Lessons: By using content from Crash Course and National Geographic, history teachers can bring events to life, fostering curiosity and discussion.
• Science Experiments: Incorporate videos from TED-Ed and Khan Academy to complement hands-on experiments with theoretical insights.

Why EdPuzzle?

EdPuzzle isn’t just another online tool; it’s a friendly place for educators to enhance their teaching. Born in San Francisco, the platform reflects the innovative spirit of its origins, offering teachers and students a transformative way to engage with video content.

With its emphasis on interactive video lessons, formative assessments, and student progress tracking, EdPuzzle has revolutionized digital education. Whether you’re creating video lesson assignments, catering to frequently absent students, or aiming for maximum engagement, EdPuzzle equips you with the tools to succeed.

Conclusion

In a world where technology continues to reshape education, EdPuzzle stands out as an indispensable digital learning platform. Its ability to customize online videos, embed choice questions and open-ended questions and track student learning in real-time makes it a must-have for educators.

While it requires a bit of setup, the platform’s benefits far outweigh its main drawback. From personalized lessons to fostering student engagement, EdPuzzle transforms teaching and learning, ensuring students thrive in the classroom and beyond.