7 Actually Cool Tools to Make In-Class Teaching Less Boring (and More Interactive)
From AI prompts to real-time feedback, these tools are built for classrooms that don’t just talk at students — they talk with them.
There’s no shortage of edtech tools that promise to “transform” the classroom. But let’s be honest: most of them are either clunky, cringe, or make more work for the teacher.
This list is different. These tools actually work — and more importantly, they don’t suck the energy out of your teaching. Whether you’re looking to increase student interaction, spark better questions, or add structure to discussions, these platforms offer something useful, even for skeptical educators.
Here are 7 tools worth exploring:
1. Landbot.io
Use it for: Interactive, choose-your-own-path experiences
Want to make theory less abstract? Build a scenario-based chatbot that lets students “walk through” a decision, story, or ethical dilemma. Great for media literacy, business ethics, or communication strategy. Think: Black Mirror, but pedagogical.
2. Slido
Use it for: Real-time polls, Q&A, word clouds
Perfect for breaking the ice, checking comprehension, or surfacing anonymous questions students might be too shy to ask. Bonus: integrates smoothly into PowerPoint and Google Slides.
3. Mmhmm
Use it for: More engaging lectures or presentations
Tired of flat slides? Mmhmm lets you float alongside your content or mix live visuals in a way that feels more like a news broadcast than a Zoom lecture. It adds motion, pacing, and energy — without looking like a TikTok.
4. Padlet
Use it for: Collective brainstorming or asynchronous discussion
Students can post ideas, resources, questions, or even memes. Works great for visual learners and group activities. And because it’s spatial, it doesn’t feel like a boring comment thread.
5. Curipod
Use it for: AI-assisted lesson planning and interactive content
Think ChatGPT meets Kahoot. You enter a topic and Curipod helps generate discussion prompts, polls, and even drawing tasks. Great for when you want structure and spontaneity.
6. Mentimeter
Use it for: Icebreakers, exit tickets, or on-the-fly reflections
Similar to Slido but a bit more visual. Great for warm-ups, pulse checks, or turning “any questions?” into actual engagement.
7. Parlay
Use it for: Structured discussions and student-led dialogue
Perfect for when you want Socratic energy but with data. Parlay lets you run discussions where everyone contributes, then gives you a report on who spoke, who listened, and what ideas emerged. Ideal for building communication skills without grading participation manually.
Bottom line? These tools won’t replace your teaching. They’ll just make your classroom feel more like a conversation — and less like a slideshow.
