InClass

Classrooms were already becoming more technology-driven by the day, and then the pandemic ushered in a whole new era of remote learning that brought new technology for distance learning to the forefront. While your expertise, heart, and devotion can never be replaced by technology, it can help you maximize each of them. Whether you’re looking to increase student collaboration, accountability, accessibility, or engagement, there are remote teaching tools that can lend a hand. Here is a short list of easy-to-use, high-value technological resources that can increase your effectiveness in the classroom.

Facetime Is Still Important… It’s Just Evolving

The power of seeing someone’s facial expressions cannot be overstated. Whether you are meeting with students through web conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet, video meetings are here to stay because it can so easily connect you with your students, their families, and other collaborators to enhance learning experiences. Whether you are conducting a parent-teacher conference or providing additional homework help, this technology has the ability to support clearer communication. You can also leverage the recording feature in many of these platforms to enhance your teaching. This can assist with remediation, coaching, and self-reflection.

Guest Speakers Are More Accessible

Virtual visits to your classroom provide opportunities for your students to hear from hard-to-reach subject matter experts, such as underrepresented stakeholders and other individuals and organizations who you may, or may not, have historically been able to physically access your classroom. Whether you use video live streaming (via Facebook, Instagram, etc.) or even Apple FaceTime, accessing elected officials, practitioners, and researchers locally and internationally has never been easier. Commute time is no longer a factor!

Digital Whiteboards Help Students Think, Make, Do

As a teacher, you’re constantly looking for new ways to encourage meaningful student collaboration. And that’s why many teachers are adding LucidChart Diagrams, Miro, Mural, and even Google Slides to their toolbox for real-time visual collaboration. These tools allow you to save, share, edit, and track changes. Imagine never having to ask who the assignment belongs to, who contributed which piece of the project, or who erased so-and-so’s part of the assignment. You can even use digital sticky notes to provide feedback, ask questions, and ideate.

Say it with a GIF

Bring your content to life through animation! Learn how to create your own GIFs about any subject with free online tools, including Google Slides, with our upcoming event especially for beginning teachers, Sharpen Your Skills: Animate Learning with GIFs with Tony Vincent. Learn more and register at this link.