The 2026 "Level Up" – 6 Tools to Transform Your Practice - HoET266

Kicking off 2026, let's cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters: edtech tools that can genuinely move the needle for educators. Rather than chasing trends or shiny new platforms, this episode is about intentional, practical technology use that supports feedback, collaboration, creativity, engagement, organization, and student voice.

#EdTech Thought: Shrinking the Engagement GapThe episode tackles the growing disconnect between students’ highly interactive digital lives outside of school and the passive digital experiences they often encounter in classrooms.

Chris challenges the idea that more screen time equals more engagement and introduces the 80/20 Producer Strategy:

For every 80% of the time students spend consuming informationEnsure at least 20% is spent creating something with value beyond the gradebook

The core message:

Engagement in 2026 isn’t about flashy tools. It’s about student agency. When students create, design, build, and solve real problems, the engagement gap begins to close.

Six Tools to Level Up in 2026#1 Mote — Rethinking FeedbackFeedback is essential but time-consuming. Mote allows educators to leave quick voice comments directly inside Google Docs, Slides, and LMS platforms.

Why it matters:

Faster than typingMore personal and humanAccessible through audio + transcription

Level-Up Question:

Where in your workflow could your voice be more effective than your keyboard?

#2 FigJam — Making Thinking VisibleFigJam is a collaborative digital whiteboard that turns learning into an active, visible process.