It's certainly a challenge to engage today's students. Learning theory shows that one of the keys to successful learning is engagement. Using Philip Schlechty's "Qualities the Affect Engagement" as a framework, Tony Vincent outlines 21 technology tools, strategies, and tips educators can use to increase authentic engagement. Learn ways to motivate learners using online tools that are freely available. Examples include polling students, illustrating concepts with crazy cartoons, creating jazzy slide shows, and touring some of the newest coolest sites the web has to offer. 

1. Bring YouTube into the classroom
2. Contribute to a wiki
3. Collaborate using a Google spreadsheet
4. Collect and rank questions, ideas, and suggestions
5. Assign roving reporters
6. Students create podcasts
7. Teachers create podcasts
8. Create a zooming presentation
9. Create online quizzes
10. Collaborate on a document
11. Make flash cards for phones and iPods
12. Publish a website for mobile phones
13. Make comic strips
14. Create talking pictures
15. Co-create rubrics for projects
16. Design an online poster
17. Connect to the world through Skype
18. Have fun with images
19. Give choice of end products
20. Host game shows
21. Celebrate learning with jazzy slide shows