The Gatekeeper

There are so many edtech tools out there, it is often tempting to try everything - kind of like a Las Vegas buffet.  Classroom teachers neither have the time nor the patience to wade through the smorgasbord of choices.  As the tech integrationist I see that as one of my responsibilities - testing programs and apps to determine which ones are worth the time.  I use the network of other tech integrationists through TCEA, ESC Region 11, Common Sense Media, and Kasey Bell’s Shake up Learning. Ironically, I also often find out about new things from students - Blooket for example!  If I think something is worthwhile, I generally have my Techspert team test drive it to get the student perspective.  
Teachers on my campus love screencastify and flipgrid for student responses - especially now that screencastify integrates with Google Classroom!  They also use Quizziz, Quizlet Live, EdPuzzle, and Kahoot pretty regularly.  I personally adore Symbaloo.  I use it to curate websites and activities for students to do during stations, for research, and during ‘free time’.  See my Digital Citizenship Symbaloo here:https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/lddigitalcitizenship