Happy Valentine’s Day! One of my favorite learning resources in this season of remote teaching is Boom Learning. Ever heard of it? I’m here to share 10 reasons I looooove this platform. My middle schoolers even have all the heart eyes for it! Let’s get into it:
1. Boom Cards are interactive and self-checking.
Enough said. Game features keep students engaged and wanting more. Probably my favorite feature is the auto-grading. Each card lets kids know right away if they responded right or wrong. They’ll hear a bell “ting” or a “whoops!” in addition to the green and red visuals. The interface is clean, sleek, and straight forward.
2. The cards provide immediate feedback to students.
Because Boom decks are self-checking, students no longer nag you for their score. I love the accountability! Kids can check their progress and accuracy with each deck. This has been so helpful as we continue learning remotely. I simply cannot get to each student right away over video conferencing. Boom allows me to check in on students as they work. No one is getting to the end of a deck not knowing what the heck is going on!
3. Boom Cards are 100% paperless.
Unlike printable task cards, Boom cards are no fuss! Save paper and ink using Boom decks. No laminating and cutting are required for repeat use. This alone has saved me hours of prep time!
4. Multiple devices are not a problem.
Boom Cards are compatible with most tech devices: tablets, computers, smartboards, etc. Regardless if you’re operating Apple or Android, as long as you’ve got internet, you can play!
5. All you need is the internet!
As I stated above, if you’ve got internet, you can play! Boom can be accessed by website in modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge). They also play on the Boom Learning app (available in the Apple iOS, Amazon Kindle Fire, and Android Google Play stores).
6. Boom Cards are easy to make.
Teachers and parents alike can create interactive lessons on the Boom Learning platform. Task cards can be digitized with Boom using multiple-choice, fill in the blank, and matching (drag and drop). You can create mystery picture reveals, task cards, escape rooms, and so much more! The decks are an engaging way to use technology and gamify education.
7. Boom Cards are easy to use.
For security and privacy, adults must have a Boom Learning account to use and assign Boom Cards. Once a “Fast Pin” or classroom link has been shared with students, the platform is pretty simple and straight forward for independent student use. Kids can play right away!
8. Progress monitoring is a breeze!
Teachers love data. Collecting it, though, can be such a pain. Not with Boom! Jessalyn H. said using one of my decks “was an easy way to measure data for IEP goals.” With a paid membership of Power or higher, Boom allows you to monitor up to 200 students and their progress in real-time. Check when students last logged in, how long it took them to work through a deck, which questions were challenging, and more!
9. Boom Cards are loved by students of all ages.
Boom Cards can be used by students young and old! With the right graphics and content, decks offer differentiated practice for elementary, middle, and high school scholars. My middle schoolers are especially fond of mystery picture reveals. As they work through the problems, answers fade away from the grid, revealing a fun picture underneath. Drag and drop secret picture tiles are also a fan favorite. Check them out in my blog shop, Boom Learning, or TeachersPayTeachers.
10. The novelty hasn’t worn off!
Boom has been around since 2016 and quickly gained popularity in the lower grades. The marketplace is now heavily saturated with material for grades K-4. whatever the lesson you’re thinking of, it’s probably there for grade school. Upper elementary content isn’t so plentiful, though it is growing every day and even moreso since the start of the pandemic. Remote learning has paved a way for new technologies and educational material. If you enjoy creating, particularly for grades 5 and up, there is money to be made as a Boom teacher-author!
I’m telling you: Boom Learning has been a gamechanger in my middle school classes! It’s not yet widely used like Kahoot and Quizlet so my students were naturally curious about this new kid on the block. Boom Learning still has that funky fresh vibe. Create a free account and give it a go with your students! Boom even has a Facebook group and great YouTube tutorials to help get you started. Some of my favorite videos are:
- Boom Learning – An Overview
- Making Cards in Boom – Master the Deck Editor
- Using PowerPoint to Create Boom Cards
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Hop on over to Boom and get started! Search free decks to play with your students. You can even try (up to 4 cards per deck) before you buy! For additional information on Boom Cards, check out an earlier blog post I did on FAQs.
