Teachers are more than just lecturers who students see within the confines of a classroom. With online teaching becoming the norm, teachers also play the role of tech support contacts for their learners. With multiple tasks at hand, the last thing an educator wants to do is be stuck with a difficult-to-use online teaching software. Some platforms can conveniently be used for classes from kindergarten to college, one just needs to find the right option.
Google Classroom
The product by the search engine giant has developed a wider audience base as a learning management system (LMS). Google Classroom offers users a virtual learning environment that is convenient and easy to get used to. Teachers and workplace trainers can leverage its features in hosting classes and training sessions. Every educator or trainer can have their own Google Classroom inside a campus. They can use the online teaching platform to put together course information, quizzes, study material, and much more.
Google Classroom can be conveniently accessed, operated, and managed from a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone. It is a free platform that can ideally be a useful addition to asynchronous learning. Another advantage of using Google Classroom is that it allows both students and teachers to access other Google resources, such as slides, sheets, documents, and forms. Anyone who has a Google account can use the platform for free and enjoy the free storage that comes with it. But for additional storage space, one might need to pay out of pocket.
Kahoot!
This online teaching software has accomplished what might have been almost impossible. It is a game-based platform that has made learning a fun experience for students. Teachers can create quizzes in different languages and on different subjects and share them with individuals or groups. It can come in handy when teachers are trying to assess the students’ understanding of a certain subject or topic. Students need not worry when the software reveals the right answer after each question, because everyone’s answer remains private. But it does reveal the amount or percentage of people who selected each choice. The software makes classroom engagement and reviewing topics a fun activity for everyone involved. Its paid membership starts at $3 per month for each teacher.
Edmodo
A cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, Edmodo can be operated on Windows and Mac devices. It allows for easy communication and cooperation even outside the classroom. Edmodo can be invariably used by teachers and students who are a part of the online learning world. The software covers a range of features a teacher would require to successfully hold an online class. They can also keep track of the student’s performance and ranking. With Edmodo, it is easy for teachers to leave private remarks for their students to see without the rest of the class being privy to the conversation. The online teaching software allows educators to organize exams, online presentations, and educational games to make the course more interesting for the students. It is a resourceful platform for collaborative learning.
Zoom
A collaborative platform that can help an individual host a class with multiple features, Zoom allows meetings and classes to have access to things like a digital notepad. The platform is easy to use and people of all ages can conveniently navigate the interface. With Zoom, tutors can share schedules, host classes, and communicate with multiple students at the same time. Users can make the most of features like a digital whiteboard and one-click document sharing. All of these help build students’ interest during a class and make distance learning engaging. It is one of the most commonly used and practical platforms for online teaching. Tutors or institutes can sign up for the platform to avail of additional features like bigger class sizes and longer call times.
Blackboard
It is a modern-day LMS software that holds similar authority and attention to the traditional blackboard. It can be used for small and large courses for varied durations. The platform also has a range of special features that can assist in making the class more interactive and interesting. The Blackboard Analytics for Learn is an optional feature that facilitates tutors and students to identify the roadblocks that are coming in the way of their learning or making the course difficult for them.
Blackboard is not just another online tutoring app where students come to attend classes, it also has features like Blackboard Predict and Blackboard Intelligence that are aimed at helping students organize their education and optimize their learning and performance. It has sections like an institution page, calendar, messages, grades, activity stream, and more. Institutes might need to pay a pretty penny based on their usage of the platform.
Slack
Remote collaboration is the basis of online teaching and learning. With Slack, class attendants can speak when needed and at a time that is convenient for them. It can be collaboratively used, especially when classes are being held on an international level. It is a trusted online teaching software that promotes and is dependent on asynchronous learning. It can come in handy when the class is trying to collaborate on an assignment, discuss a topic, and exchange ideas. Slack offers paid packages for users. Tutors or institutes might need to pick a plan that aligns with the course duration or the potential features and usage each student might need.