In this article, we discuss five popular edtech tools to use in the homeschooling classroom to help keep students motivated in the online classroom.
Even before the pandemic of 2020, teachers and students have been enjoying EdTech tools in the face-to face classroom.
But just how effective can they be in the online classroom?
Staying focused and motivated in the online classroom means we can help reduce learning loss.
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Parents can leverage IXL worksheets to support their children’s learning at home by assigning targeted exercises aligned with their child’s grade level and curriculum, reinforcing key concepts in subjects like math and language arts.
The interactive nature of IXL allows parents to track their child’s progress, identify areas of improvement, and provide personalized assistance, fostering a collaborative and effective learning environment outside the classroom.
Click here to explore what IXL offers children when it comes to their learning.
The Impact Of Online Learning
Online learning comes with its challenges. Student engagement is tested more in the online classroom.
For many students, it’s just harder to stay focused in an online classroom.
But why?
Because the pressure to stay focused is higher on the individual.
In the face to face classroom, anyone looking at you can see that you’re bored.
In the online classroom, even if cameras are on in the meeting, hiding the face that you’re bored is easier. Therefore the pressure to remain focused is higher.
In the traditional classroom, students can feel their enthusiasm for learning building by using “hands-on” manipulatives as part of the learning process.
In the online classroom, the “hands-on” manipulatives need to be replaced with equally engaging virtual learning tools.
However, in light of this, teachers and students must continue to build their enthusiasm and confidence with being in the online classroom.
How Can EdTech Tools Help With Learning?
EdTech tools can help students and teachers alike build their enthusiasm and confidence when it comes to improving their technology skills.
Watch the video below that highlights the points made in the article.
Education technology is now part of the standard curriculum in schools and will continue to be for years to come.
5 Ways EdTech Tools Help With Teaching & Learning
Here now are our recommended ways edtech tools can help with teaching and learning.
We also provide recommendations as to which EdTech tools should be part of every online classroom.
I. Easier Ways of Meeting Online
Meeting platforms like Zoom, Google Meets, Google Classroom, and MS Teams, now offer easy and ready to use means to help teachers and students with this new virtual environment.
The basic outline for all meeting platforms is that they allow for easy communication between teachers and students in setting meeting times.
II. Allows For Group Work
One thing lacking in the online classroom is the idea of group work. This is where “virtual breakout rooms” comes in.
Using breakout rooms encourages students to discuss amongst themselves ideas for presentations or topics in class.
These also allow for teachers to make announcements about classroom activities, or create assignments for students to complete and easily hand in.
III. Improves Communication Through Virtual White Boards
The idea of ‘virtual white board” means that teachers and students can communicate ideas as they see them in front of the class.
For example, students can actively participate when the teacher allows them to use the “annotate” feature on Zoom to write, draw, or mark down their answers.
Using the annotate feature can greatly improve the level of communication between teachers and students and can encourage students to take more control over their learning.
It’s important to communicate to students just how important it is to maintain their level of enthusiasm and confidence when it comes to learning in this new virtual classroom.
IV. Helps Establish Real Time Assessments
In google classroom, for example, teachers and students have easier access to student grades.
This allows for teachers and students to continually track student success with the subject.
Teachers can inform students of the assignment requirements and students can receive immediate feedback on their assignments.
Online grade books are an opportunity for students to ask for real time help from their teachers instead of waiting until certain times throughout the year to discuss improving their grades.
V. Increases Engagement Through Interactive Learning Tools
Popular EdTech tools like Kahoot!, Quizzizz, and Quizlet, allow for teacher and student engagement in any subject to increase. Teachers or students can create quizzes as ways to test knowledge while hopefully building the confidence and enthusiasm needed as part of the learning or teaching process.
Take Students To Any Place In the World – Virtually
With the COVID pandemic stopping most outdoor activities in 2020, virtual field trips can be an exciting opportunity for students to explore different parts of the world from the comfort of their own home.
Freedom Homeschooling is a website that provides links to “virtual field trips”. Links found on the website allows for teachers and students to connect to popular tourists sites, and a chance to take a tour at any time!
Visit the White House, Buckingham Palace, or the Palace of Versailles to get a sense of royal life!
Related Topics
Check out our other articles related to mental health in education.
- Click to read about student identity and mental health.
- Read more about parents and mental health
- Click to read how students may make their learning easier in this new learning environment
- Check out these five websites that make learning fun
- Learn more about popular edtech tools that help enrich learning
- Read more about how platforms like IXL help the homeschool curriculum
- Read more about how apps like the Crayola Create and Play help the homeschool curriculum
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Final Thoughts…
To keep students feeling like the kings and queens of the virtual classroom for generations to come, it is important to use the right education technology tools you as teachers know students will enjoy.
Online presentation tools like Google Slides, PowerPoint online, KeyNote, OneNote, and Prezi, are opportunities for students and teachers to present material in the online classroom.
Share Your Thoughts
What do you think about our list of EdTech tools? Do you have any EdTech tools to recommend for teachers or students? Leave us a comment below and share your thoughts.
