Using Technology to Spark Summer Learning: A Creative Approach to Engaging Kids

As a child, I loved learning all the time. During summer breaks, when I wasn’t in school, I would play teacher with my brother, my stuffed animals, and even my great-uncle when he visited. None of my “students” ever complained, so I assumed everyone enjoyed learning in the summer as much as I did.

This year, however, I was tasked with tutoring three children and nannying three more, and not a single one of them was excited about learning. One child was so resistant that his mother had to tell him he was helping me practice teaching to encourage his participation. I quickly realized I needed to get creative to make learning fun and engaging.

Creative Strategies for Using Technology to Spark Summer Learning

I experimented with games, science experiments, and crafts, but one of the most effective tools I discovered was technology.

The first time I used technology this summer was with GoNoodle, an app that features fun, kid-friendly songs with dance moves. The girls I nanny love to dance while cleaning, eating, and getting dressed. One day, when boredom struck, I played a GoNoodle song, and they were hooked! They danced, sang, and stayed engaged for a long time, all while getting some exercise. That moment was a turning point: I realized technology could be a powerful ally.

A few days later, I introduced the Shifu Orboot, a globe I won at EdcampGCC. This interactive tool uses augmented reality to explore global culture, food, monuments, weather, and inventions. It even leads kids on mystery-solving adventures. To kick off our journey, we made airline tickets and passports, boarded a pretend airplane, and “flew” to our first country. Once we landed, we used AR to learn about local monuments, people, and weather. We added flags to our passports and wrote down our favorite discoveries.

When we visited the United Arab Emirates, a friend who lives there sent us photos to make the experience even more immersive. Later, while I was making lunch, I overheard the girls saying things like, “Whoa, they eat that there?” and “Wait, Hawaii is part of the United States?” They were learning and loving it! Now, every Friday is globe day, and they look forward to it all week.

After this success, I decided to incorporate technology into tutoring sessions.

I chose GooseChase, a tool that lets you create scavenger hunts where students submit photos of their answers. I designed a math-themed GooseChase around the house. The kids ran around counting shoes, multiplying flowers, and using division to figure out how many banana split pies we could make. They had a blast and were eager to solve math problems. When the game ended, they begged to play again. This week, we’re doing a sight word version!

Technology as a Tool, Not a Teacher

These experiences show how technology can enhance summer learning. But it’s important to remember that technology is a tool, not a teacher. Without my guidance to explain cultural context and answer questions, the girls wouldn’t have absorbed nearly as much from our globe adventures.

Similarly, GooseChase made math exciting, but it didn’t teach the foundational skills. Technology can be a blessing for educators, but it should always be used thoughtfully and intentionally.

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