Organizations and schools have had to adjust the way they teach students, moving from an in-person environment to virtual learning. The world of virtual learning is advancing, with students and teachers learning how to adapt and learn or teach in new, innovative ways.
There are benefits and disadvantages to virtual learning.
Benefits
- Flexible online learning schedule
- Quick or immediate test feedback
- Teaches time management
- Ability to do coursework anywhere
- Discussion options with teachers and classmates
Disadvantages
- Technical issues
- Loss of face-to-face solutions
- Lack of typical learning experience
- Difficult to manage time
6 Tools to Enhance and Boost Effectiveness of Virtual Learning
1. Edpuzzle
Edpuzzle is an option for grade 3 to 12 learning. The platform allows teachers to create engaging videos that keep the attention of their classroom. The interactive tool enables custom video content to be created with the option to:
- Customize videos
- Remix videos
- Crop videos
Teachers can make any video into a lesson. Creating self-paced learning enables teachers to add their own narration and questions into the mix.
2. Edmodo
Edmodo allows teachers to better manage their classrooms and engage with students. Tools are provided to enable today’s teachers to connect with students using technology that gets students excited.
A few of the tools available include:
- Class material sharing
- Message sending
- Integrated parental updates
Edmodo allows users to connect in a social way that benefits the learner and helps ease the struggle teachers face when students learn virtually.
3. Pixlr
Students and educators can learn and use design thinking with Pixlr for education. Lightweight and easy to use, the platform allows students to improve their design thinking skills in a fun way.
Ad-free and available with 3,000 overlays, 7,000 icons and 5,000 texts, the editing tool plans to go a step further in the future with Google Classroom Integration.
The tool provides advanced design and editing solutions that are perfect for digital art classes, graphic design and more.
4. TED-Ed
TED is a massive platform, but TED-Ed takes it a step further for educators and students. The platform allows for interactive lessons to be created with the collaboration of:
- Students
- Teachers
- Animators
TED-Ed allows for an educational environment where information can be shared in a way that allows for active participation from students.
5. Buncee
The Buncee platform is designed to empower teachers in ways that other platforms do not. Buncee gives teachers the power to create fun, exciting lessons for students that includes:
- Online lessons
- Lesson boards
- Easy communication
Teachers can communicate intimately with students in a new, exciting way that is similar to a traditional learning environment.
6. Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a tool designed by Google that acts as mission control for teachers. The platform enables teachers to:
- Create unique classrooms
- Added assignments
- Share links, videos and images
- Reuse assignments and content for future classrooms
Google’s Classroom is an easy way to help teachers learn and stay organized.
Whether you’re trying to help students learn design thinking with Pixlr or creating advanced videos with Edpuzzle, there are tools that can help make virtual learning a success as much as traditional learning.
All images by Cathy Yeulet. For photos like these and more, visit 123RF’s image library.
