Modern technology revolutionized the universe of traditional learning during this post-pandemic period. Over the last five years, students taking online classes have almost doubled.
In a survey carried out by Barnes & Noble College Insights in March on over 400 college students whose schools have recently moved to online education, 60% of students stated that they felt at least prepared for the change. It has been especially true for students who have taken an online course previously.
Do Students Need Online Classes?
Instead of being connected to the classroom, students can now study through online learning at home. With online classes, you don’t need to step a foot in a real classroom. From courses to examinations, every aspect of the class happens to be online. But for some students, e-learning is a bit skeptical.
The chief learning officer at 2U, an online program management company, Luyen Chou, says, “Online classes are effectively taking a physical classroom model and doing your best to deliver that over tools like Zoom.” The benefits of online classes imply that students across the world can find several legit reasons to join for daily online courses. And that’s understandable, given the newness and the growing demand for online learning.
Let’s move on to the list of some of the best online tools available to support remote teaching and learning needs.
What Online Tools to Know?
It’s time to know in detail how do online classes work to reap the benefits of online learning and meet your academic goals.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
These different types of learning online courses offer a few things in common, like both are available online, accessible from your computer, or laptop via online course modules. Synchronous and Asynchronous online tools are available from anywhere around. These are dynamic choices, which allow students of all sorts to earn their degrees.
Synchronous Learning Methods and Tools:
- Chat: Multiple users can log in and communicate with the help of synchronous chat rooms. It is a great place to raise questions and share ideas and experiences.
- Video or web conferencing: Replicate a classroom experience by taking with a professor face to face with your webcam, share media (such as documents, presentations, and polls) and more. You can also save the video or online conference for further analysis later on.
- Live Streaming: Some synchronous study programs can go one step further in emulating the conventional classroom by live-streaming the lectures and make you feel like you are sitting in the school.
- Voice (telephone or voice-over IP): Some courses may enable you to talk to your professor and colleagues via your computer or mobile.
Asynchronous Learning Methods and Tools:
- Digital Curriculum Materials: In asynchronous learning, the digital materials (like uploaded PowerPoint presentations, document sharing) are particularly paramount to consummate the curriculum. In many cases, these materials could be distributed through the online course module, helping you stay organized by keeping everything in one place.
- Email: In all online courses, email is a great foundation tool that allows you to ask questions, keep in contact, and receive materials, notifications, recalls, and even evaluations.
- Discussion Boards: It helps to facilitate discussions, collaboration, and debate on courses, like in a physical classroom. The advantage is that you can pop in and comment on the discussion board whenever it works for you.
- Social Networking: Several online courses also include social networking to strengthen communication and interaction with learners. Such social networking sites make connecting with peers and instructors simpler.
Blackboard
Blackboard is a simple, comfortable, and reliable interactive online learning solution. This easy to set up one-click approach offers a quality of engagement, making learners feel they are together in the same room through collaboration and conference tools.
It is a Synchronous online tool that helps you and your pupils in the interactive classroom to communicate in real-time. Millions of students around six continents are studying online using Blackboard tools. Online teaching is more of a flipped classroom type of approach.
Zoom
Creative Teaching with Video conferencing just got more comfortable with Zoom. Schools can plan for virtual seminars, student meetings, presentations, student polls, interactive office hours, or a gathering place for teachers with the Zoom tool. Moreover, there is no need to train college students to use Zoom.
Zoom is available on laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, and even on desks, providing students with a wide range of options for accessing the class. Students do not need a zoom account. They need to click on a link to be in your class after being notified to download a small app. Webinars and meetings are available at Zoom. You can communicate with students in both formats, although there are some differences. Learn more about Zoom here.
Over to You!
The necessity and use of Technology in Teaching and Learning with asynchronous (Canvas, Blackboard, D2L) and synchronous (Zoom) platforms offer considerable benefits if you choose these methods to teach face-to-face.
Proper online collaborative tools are an essential prerequisite that helps to increase your students’ interest in teamwork. Pick the best one that fits your class among these tools and methods.
Enjoy the advantages of a traditional classroom feel in the online environment with the best innovative technology tools!
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