High school is an incredibly crucial time wherein students can cultivate their knowledge and pursue great educational outcomes. It is likewise a space that helps prepare them for the academic rigors of college. That said, a 2022 report published in Public School Review revealed that 60 percent of students are not ready for college-level work. Although their performance in high school was above average, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they can adhere to their academic efforts and attain success in college.
Fortunately, EdTech tools are available to both improve high school learning and bolster a student’s college preparedness. In fact, EdTech has transformed how students learn in a myriad of ways. For one, a University of Chicago study shows how individuals are more engaged with their education due to digital tools since they’re given unique and interactive learning experiences. This is apparent as new multimedia resources now enable them to visualize abstract concepts, for instance.
So on that note, here’s a list of great EdTech tools that can enhance high school learning.

Remind
Communication is crucial between students and teachers, as this helps high schools identify if their students are performing well. At present, 75 percent of educators believe technology solutions that connect instruction and assessment on one platform are essential to extend students’ capabilities. A digital tool that enables teachers to deliver urgent reminders and tasks is Remind.
This platform allows educators to disseminate classroom updates and check in on students. The latter is largely significant in case high schoolers wish to reach out with concerns about college admissions or other pressing matters. Lastly, with Remind, teachers can update parents with important announcements and subsequently, work together to develop better learning strategies that are tailored to high schoolers.

Quizlet
As the referenced Public School Review report mentioned, more than one-third of students believed that high school courses should have been more challenging. This way, they could be more equipped to handle difficult college coursework. Of course, there are currently various digital apps that are designed to supplement a student’s learning—enabling them to be well-versed in, and tested on, topics they wish to understand.
One of the top educational apps that every student needs is Quizlet. Here, students can choose among seven different study modules, which include flashcards, and gain access to 500 million study sets that cover topics in finance, math, and medicine. In addition to that, Quizlet also offers interactive tools and games, ensuring that students can find the learning materials fun and engaging.

VR Expeditions 2.0

Virtual reality (VR), when deployed in high school classrooms, allows students to learn in realistic settings. Notably, a Frontiers article on virtual reality use explains that with this technology, teachers observed improved academic achievement and engagement scores across their classes. As it stands, there are numerous VR tools on the market, but one that offers a wide range of unique scenes is VR Expeditions 2.0.
With this classroom app, educators can select a trip from hundreds of available expeditions. Students are also provided with comprehensive hand-outs which are curated by Encyclopedia Britannica. By utilizing VR Expeditions 2.0, teachers can effectively take their classes on virtual field trips that sharpen their students' knowledge.

Headspace
Although high school can be a great space to socialize and hone one’s skillset, it can also exacerbate concerns about both the present and the future. For one, a 2022 report by the American Psychological Association shared that 13.2% of high schoolers experienced heightened stress due to homework. On the other hand, a 2020 Choosing Therapy feature on post-graduation depression states that many high school students often experience feelings of paralyzing anxiety at the thought of entering college.
Luckily, one tool that educators can utilize in the classroom is Headspace. This mindfulness app is equipped with a vast array of science-backed guided meditations and resources that can help students reduce their stress. As a final note, the referenced American Psychological Association report pointed out that there's a lack of support for mental wellbeing across US high schools. This makes it imperative to leverage apps like Headspace, which can enhance a student’s mental health while simultaneously sharpening their focus on their studies.
EdTech tools can help students progress not just in their high school academics, these technologies can also serve as valuable resources when they finally venture out to college.

About the author

Nicole D. Peabody is a freelance writer whose works focus on improving educational leadership. She dedicates her time to researching the latest trends and issues within school systems. Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her golden retriever, Carmy.