Extension and Enrichment Ideas

This page is built to help educators consider ways they can leverage technology to extend and/or enrich student learning. 

There are so many different formats we, as teachers, provide these opportunities to students. I don't believe that technology should always be used to provide these services. However, I am looking through the lens of technology, after all, we are TeacherTech.Tips. You will see ideas that seem to focus more on technology.

Often times, we could be using our technology more intentionally to provide digital structures and routines that can help us carry out our enrichment and engagement activities. Even if the activities themselves are not digital, the digital structure can be used to provide those directions for student learners. 

Digital formats allow the teachers to update live, plan ahead, collaborate with our teacher teams, and create student autonomy.

Check out more on this page for tips and ideas specifically related to enriching and extending learning. 

Want some ready made activities? Check out my TPT store with lots of activity ideas you can choose from. 

Keep learning, visit my YouTube Channel for more!

Start Small: 

• Choose one or two tools to focus on and introduce them gradually.
• Build routines and procedures around the tools you want to use.

Incorporate Choice:

• Offer digital choice boards where students select activities based on interest and learning styles.
• Allow students to choose how they demonstrate learning, whether through videos, presentations, or digital creations. (I have a great creation choice board already built for you, check it out HERE.)

Leverage Free Tools:

• Use free, high-quality tools like Canva for Education, Google Workspace, or Wakelet for interactive lessons.

Track Engagement:

• Use analytics features in platforms like Seesaw, Google Classroom, Canvas, or Edpuzzle to monitor student participation and progress.
• Incorporate digital badges or leaderboards to celebrate achievements.

Integrate with Curriculum:

• Tie technology activities to standards and objectives to ensure they enrich core content rather than becoming add-ons. The content always comes before the tool.

Build Engagement Routines:

• Use "Tech Tuesday" or technology options for station time each week for tech-based enrichment to help students anticipate and engage with tools.

Take their learning to the next level. Use your learning standards and extend what students can do to demonstrate their understanding. 

💡Enjoy this digital template freebie!

• Create and use a digital structure to establish procedures on how students will find their activity to complete each day. Grab the free resource 👆 
• Provide STEM challenges, using STEM cards or STEM buckets containing everything they need to be independent. You can even include components of the engineering design process. HERE is a great free poster on the EDP, download it today.
• Allow students to explore a topic of personal interest and present it through a project, blog, or video.
• Let students teach a concept they’ve mastered to their peers.
• Ask students to create from a unique perspective, such as writing a story as a historical figure or explaining a scientific concept as a journalist.

There are lots of ways to enrich learning. Here are just a few ideas to get you started. Enrichment is where we go deeper, don't just give kids more.

• Use platforms like Nearpod, Kahoot, or Quizizz for engaging and interactive lessons that deepen understanding.
• Introduce simulations or virtual labs (e.g., PhET Interactive Simulations or Tinkercad) for hands-on exploration.
• Encourage students to create digital projects like podcasts, blogs, or infographics to showcase their knowledge.
• Use tools like Canva or Adobe Express to allow students to create with their knowledge. 
• Share online courses, coding platforms (e.g., Scratch, Code.org), or TED-Ed videos for students ready for more challenges.

Want even more websites and links for great digital tools? 💡Visit my cheat sheet HERE!