Education is the key to child development. Any society without a working educational system will eventually fall into chaos. As a result, when the pandemic hit in 2020, governments and educators around the world were left wondering how to fight the raging virus while kids continue to learn. This is where we need online language teaching tools.
Hence, the use of online teaching tools slowly gained more traction as educators looked to provide students with remote learning options. On the other hand, parents and guardians also got involved to help and ensure their kids were attending the virtual classes as they should.
The quality and efficiency of these online teaching tools greatly improved to accommodate the surge in demand. Additionally, hundreds of solutions are now available to choose from. Nevertheless, many educators prefer to use a handful of teaching tools to deliver knowledge virtually. Discussed in this article are 6 of the favorite online teaching tools educators like to use.
1. Google Classroom
The Google Classroom is an exciting and free teaching platform that facilitates online learning. As an integrated learning management tool, it has the G Suite package. So, as an educator, you have access to many Google apps. It means that you can utilize Google applications to develop lessons, tests, and different types of documents within the platform.
For example, you are able to work on Google Slides and Google Sheets. Afterward, you can go ahead and import created content onto Google Classroom.
To access this app, you must have an education account for G Suite. Once the system is set up, you can run your classroom seamlessly with this tool. You can also make use of Google Meet when you need to talk or have a live session with your students.
2. Zoom
Zoom is a teleconferencing tool used for multiple purposes. One such use of this software is delivering education to students of different levels. You can use Zoom either in Webinar mode or Meeting Mode, depending on what you intend to achieve. Zoom has several features, which make it suitable for online learning.
Some of these features are co-annotation in real-time, breakout rooms, and much more. Also, you are able to easily share content such as links and documents with your students via this tool. This feature is suitable when running language classrooms, which can be extra challenging when held virtually.
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3. Quizizz
Unlike Google Classroom and Zoom, Quizizz is a learning game platform. It is free and easy to work with. It has many ready-made games, which cover thousands of topics across different fields. All you need to do is search and find the game that works best for your class. The advantage of using Quizizz is that it integrates well with Google Classroom.
You are also able to share a link to Quizizz content with students directly. Thus, you can set up your students to play these games in groups on any teleconferencing platform.
4. FlipGrid
With FlipGrid, your students are able to collaborate using videos. You can use this platform to teach students of different levels. For example, a kid can color animals and plants through video. Other members of the classroom can interact and ask questions about the ongoing activity.
All this can be done as each student records and uploads their videos in turn. However, for kids in playschool, the input of parents is invaluable for the success of using FlipGrid.
You can also set up FlipGrid for older children. They can use it for language practice, exchange book reviews, and much more.
5. Pear Deck
Pear Deck is an excellent tool that allows interactive presentation of educational information to students. This tool functions as an add-on that works with spreadsheet platforms like Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides to improve material delivery. With Pear Deck, you have access to both teacher and editor platforms.
The teacher platform helps you to monitor participation, while the editor allows you to create content. When running either of the spreadsheet applications, you can access Pear Desk as a sidebar. You can use all selected features on the editor menu.
6. Padlet
Padlet is a versatile platform that gives you a lot of leverage when teaching online. You can use it to gather information, documents, visuals, and documents. By creating a digital corkboard called a padlet, you can collect information in the manner you desire. You can utilize padlets to develop lessons for groups, which allows students to collaborate on projects.
Likewise, as an educator, you can use a padlet to collect information for a lesson you are going to create.
When students are done with an assessment, you can give them feedback through the platform. Additionally, you can use Padlet together with Zoom. You can divide students into groups to discuss the work given to them.
In Conclusion
The proliferation of online teaching tools was aided by the challenges of 2020. The use of teleconferencing tools like Zoom mostly provides the backbone for communication between you and your students. Platforms like Google Classroom combine G Suite apps and third-party apps will give a unique experience to learners. Quizizz, FlipGrid, Pear Deck, and Padlet provide a different approach that works well with teleconferencing platforms.
Try some of these online language teaching tools on your desktops and laptops and see your virtual classroom transform!