Recent tech innovations can make your virtual classroom more exciting. The primary advantage of integrating the following apps & websites into the teaching process is to increase the level of student interaction. And, with a bit of creativity, they will allow the learning process to become more personalized. Here are a few tools to help you better engage your students online:
Edmodo.com
Edmodo is a very popular social networking platform designed for both teachers and students.
It was originally the platform for microblogging. Today, it’s a social network with many useful applications for all those who are involved in the teaching process.
In addition to exchanging messages between teachers and students, Edmodo allows link sharing as well as all sorts of multimedia files, quizzes, texts, etc.
There is also a calendar of events, and an online roster for curricular and extracurricular activities.
Teachers are able to connect with colleagues inside and outside of school, join groups in which they exchange their experiences, and they are able to plan activities, courses, and seminars.
EduBlogs.org
EduBlogs is one of the largest education communities on the internet. It offers free registration and provides a blog platform for teachers and students that greatly facilitates communication.
It’s focus is communication within the education world, without any marketing pretensions.
EduBlogs provides the ability to exchange knowledge, acquire new information, and learn continuously through online contact.
Wikispaces.com
Wikispaces are sites where friends, students or associates can edit jointly. The most well-known example is Wikipedia.They are a useful tool for sharing information and lessons. Teachers and students can use Wikispaces to publish, highlight, and share text, files, audio, video or images on their pages.
Schoology.com
Schoology is another great learning platform. It’s very similar to Edmodo and is primarily used in distance learning. The focus of the app is on collaboration and social interaction within a simple interface so that the users can easily handle the functionalities.
Schoology has all the necessary features to help the teacher manage the classroom and keep an eye on their students' work. A main component is an active data stream which allows the teacher to set up work materials so students can easily view and save them.
Once a student completes the work, the teacher can review it, evaluate it, and provide instant feedback.
Lucy Benton is a writing coach, an editor who finds her passion in expressing own thoughts as a blogger, and currently works at www.assignmenthelper.com.au. She is constantly looking for the ways to improve her skills.