Building a successful virtual classroom requires more than just a webcam and Wi-Fi. Schools today work in an EdTech ecosystem that is growing, and digital tools help students learn, teachers communicate and keep the classroom running smoothly.
Together, they make up the best digital tools for working together in schools. Platforms help teachers run more open, interactive, and effective virtual classrooms. But with so many options, school leaders often face one big question: Which tools work in practice?
In this post, we’ll summarize five standout tools that support how teachers can enhance virtual learning based on real-world classroom needs, trusted education research, and user feedback from U.S. schools.
Rethinking Engagement Beyond Screens
Technologies alone do not create meaningful interaction. The right tool must feel natural in a teacher’s workflow, reduce friction, and help students stay present and active during lessons.
This is where the magic occurs: platforms that combine video conferencing tools, student engagement apps, and digital whiteboards to replicate the dynamics of traditional classrooms.
Let’s dive into five EdTech tools that are getting it right.
1. Zoom Education: Still the Backbone of Virtual Instruction — But Smarter
Zoom may seem like old news, but they have changed a lot since the days of simple video calls. There are now built-in tools on the Zoom Education platform created just for K–12 and higher education: Think of meeting rooms that give you fine-grained control, tools for making notes, polls, and ways to track your attention.
After recent updates, Zoom works perfectly with popular learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas and Schoology. It’s easier to run a virtual class when teachers can plan lessons from their course dashboards.
What is its most overlooked value? It makes tech easier to learn. Teachers and students already know how to use it, so they can focus on teaching instead of asking, “Where’s the mute button?”
Zoom is still one of the most flexible video conferencing tools for keeping up with a teaching presence, interacting with peers, and holding planned synchronous sessions.
2. Whiteboard.fi & FigJam: Visual Collaboration via Digital Whiteboards
While physical whiteboards have long been a classroom staple, their digital counterparts redefine how teachers and students visualize ideas online. Platforms like Whiteboard.fi and FigJam lead the way in bringing visual, hands-on learning into virtual spaces.
Whiteboard.fi is explicitly designed for teachers. It gives every student a personal whiteboard while allowing the teacher to monitor all boards in real-time. Educators can push prompts, write math problems, or display diagrams. Students can respond live with drawings, text, or annotations. It’s particularly effective in math, science, and early literacy lessons where step-by-step thinking needs to be visible.
Because it’s browser-based and doesn’t require accounts, Whiteboard.fi is easy to deploy quickly across devices. It’s a simple, secure, and student-friendly solution for schools prioritizing formative feedback and individualized learning moments.
Meanwhile, FigJam from Figma takes a more collaborative, open-ended approach. It’s ideal for older students and group-based projects where brainstorming, planning, or visual storytelling are central. With tools like sticky notes, voting systems, and emoji reactions, FigJam encourages active co-creation.
Digital whiteboards enable students to participate naturally and expressively, especially those who are less talkative on camera but thrive visually. The National Center for Educational Statistics found that 26% of schools reported a lack of attention from students, which impacted teacher morale. This can be remedied with the use of digital collaboration tools.
3. Nearpod: A Heavyweight Among Student Engagement Apps
If your district is serious about how teachers can enhance virtual learning, Nearpod is likely already on your radar. It is powerful because it builds data into the lesson loop.
Teachers can embed quizzes, polls, matching games, open-ended questions, and even VR experiences into their lesson slides and then track responses in real time. This feature allows instruction to become adaptive on the fly.
The integration of Nearpod with formative assessment data is truly revolutionary. It’s one of the most effective student engagement apps for linking participation with insight.
Nearpod reported that their users saw an 90% increase in-student engagement during online classes.
4. Padlet: The Sticky Note Wall for Digital Minds
Padlet brings a low-barrier, high-creativity solution to digital collaboration. It functions like an interactive bulletin board where students can post notes and other file types. It is an excellent tool for conducting drills, engaging in asynchronous discussions, or group brainstorming.
Equity is one of Padlet’s most significant strengths. Students who aren’t sure how to talk on live video often do well when they have a Padlet board where they can share. This is crucial in encouraging inclusive participation, particularly in large or mixed-ability classrooms.
Teachers can also decide how to moderate answers and set up boards using timelines, grids, or maps. This is an excellent place for exit tickets and student-led stories.
5. Microsoft Teams for Education: A Full-Service Hub That Scales
Teams are a must-have for schools that already use Microsoft 365. It has video conferencing tools, chat, file sharing, keeping track of assignments, and working together in the classroom.
However, its growing ability makes it one of the best educational digital collaboration tools. It works well in multi-classroom and multi-campus settings, and it has strong compliance and permission control support.
Teachers can create different “channels” for group work, set up rubrics, hold talks with the whole class, and hold live class sessions without switching platforms.
Accessibility tools like Immersive Reader, live captions, and OneNote features make it easier to reach students who have different needs when it comes to learning.
What Makes a Collaboration Tool Work?
There are ways for teachers to improve virtual learning without having to take 10 more steps to get ready. The best tools don’t get in the way of teaching; instead, they make it easier.
- Are they easy to learn?
- Do they support real-time AND asynchronous collaborations?
- Can they be customized to different learning styles?
- Do they help students feel seen?
These tools, from FigJam’s scribbles to Nearpod’s tests, give teachers more than just power. They help students bond.
Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Just Tech
Technology won’t replace effective teaching. However, selecting the appropriate technology is crucial. It makes its effect bigger. As hybrid models become more common in K–12 and higher education, spending money on collaboration tools that are easy to use, flexible, and made for real educational processes is essential.
When choosing tools or enhancing the efficiency of existing ones in your school, it’s not about selecting the most advanced platform. It’s about picking what works best for your teachers and students.
Ready to Bring These Tools to Life?
TechCastles Media Services helps schools set up and get the most out of the best digital collaboration tools for education. They do everything from setting up digital whiteboards to picking your school’s best videoconferencing tools and student engagement apps.
Contact TechCastles Media Services, and let’s talk about improving your virtual classes and making it easy for students to work together, no matter where they are studying.
