Exploring the World of Online Teaching: Beyond Zoom

While many educators have become familiar with Zoom, there are numerous other platforms that can enhance the online teaching experience. In this article, we will explore various tools and methods, focusing on cost-efficient, reliable, and versatile options that can be used to facilitate effective and engaging remote learning.

Discovering Factile for Engaged Learning

As a teacher, I have found Factile to be an incredibly useful tool that can help reinforce key topics during lessons. This interactive platform not only engages students but also provides a fun and challenging environment for them to learn at their own pace. Factile is a versatile resource suitable for all ages and abilities, making it a valuable addition to any educator's toolkit.

Here's how I use Factile in my classroom:

To enhance students' participation and engagement To create an interactive learning environment where students can challenge themselves and each other To track individual student progress and goal-setting

While there are many other online teaching platforms available, Factile stands out for its user-friendly design, versatile functionality, and ability to foster a collaborative learning environment.

Note: If you're looking for more online teaching platforms, here are a few that are known for their cost-efficiency and reliability:

Lessonspace BitPaper Bramble Groupworld Blutick

Utilizing Canvas and Blackboard for Structured Learning

Another prominent tool for online teaching is Canvas, which we used for the last nine weeks of school. It's a comprehensive learning management system that allows for structured and organized course content. Additionally, Blackboard is a widely used platform for educational institutions due to its robust features and reliability.

For communication purposes, we employed WebEx, as it provided a convenient method to contact students using our classroom phones. However, there are many other platforms available that can serve a similar purpose, such as Microsoft Teams, which integrates seamlessly with OneNote.

Microsoft Teams can be combined with OneNote to create a powerful learning environment. Here's how it works:

Microsoft Teams allows you to hold and record meetings for your students, with features like screen sharing and presentations, making it feel like a traditional classroom setting. The hands up feature helps you identify students who have questions or need assistance. When paired with OneNote, students can maintain a private learning notebook where they can upload files and images. Assignments set in Teams can be completed and submitted through OneNote, enabling a seamless workflow for both teachers and students.

Evaluating Google Classroom and Google Meet for Remote Learning

While Google Classroom is a powerful learning management system, it is not primarily designed as a teaching platform. Rather, it serves to manage class communications, assignments, and student responses. Although it includes a feature to send messages and links to students, it lacks the interactive features found in Factile or Microsoft Teams.

If you need a teaching tool on the Google suite, consider using Google Meet. It is similar to Zoom but with fewer advanced features. At my institution, Google Meet is restricted to use by individuals with a school email address, ensuring a secure environment for remote teaching and learning.

Conclusion

While Zoom has become a household name in online teaching, there are numerous other tools and platforms that can offer a more engaging and effective remote learning experience. Whether you're looking for cost-efficient, reliable, or versatile options, there are many choices available. From interactive tools like Factile to comprehensive learning platforms like Canvas and Blackboard, choosing the right tool can significantly enhance your online teaching journey.