Digital solutions for tasks & activities
There's an incredible number of digital tools available to teachers for online instruction, but sorting out what tools are best for what activities can be overwhelming. The following resources will help simplify the process of picking the best tools and putting them to use effectively.
Your virtual toolbox
Just about every task and activity you carry out in the classroom on a daily basis has a digital equivalent. It’s important to understand that the learning itself doesn’t change, but the delivery method does. The chart below shows the ways learning can transfer to an online environment, and will help you begin to visualize what you’ll need to start creating your online course.
Face-to-face classroom |
Online classroom |
Lectures |
• Pre-recorded presentations with screen recording software and/or webcam • Live sessions using video software like Zoom, WebEx, CollaborateVideo, etc. • Web pages, shared documents, & other media |
Learning resources & handouts |
• YouTube, Vimeo, Khan Academy, & other third-party links • Files uploaded and shared via LMS, email, or shared drive |
Teacher-to-student communication |
• Email or chat • Instructor announcements • Discussion, assignment, and quiz feedback |
Student-to-student communication |
• Email or chat • Online discussion boards • Discussions using chat or video software |
Group work |
• Offline group projects using collaborative documents • Online discussion boards • Group work using chat or video software |
Office hours |
• Open office hours using chat or video software • One-on-one student meetings using chat or video software |
Assignments & assessments |
• Assignment submissions via email or LMS • Online asynchronous discussions • LMS or document-based quizzes • Graded and non-graded online activities |
Student presentations |
• Live presentation using video software • Recorded presentation submissions |
Scheduling |
• Shared calendar applications • Collaborative sign-up document |
Use audio and video effectively
Audio
Webcam, microphone, compression, hosting, and digital streaming technologies allow both you and your students to create media recordings that are easily shared. There are several paid and free audio recording software tools that you can use on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. These tools let you record with the built-in microphone and save as an MP3 file (a file small enough to be shared via email or uploaded to an online learning platform).
Recorded video
As with audio, many of the same technologies can be used to create informal video recordings using your hardware’s built-in microphone and video camera. These short videos can be recorded and uploaded to the LMS or you can email video links to your students. Some examples include a brief video introduction to include in your transition email, or short video overviews of the upcoming week/module.
Live video
Most learning institutions have access to one of the more common video recording tools such as Zoom, CollaborateVideo, WebEx, Kaltura, and more. (If you’re working outside of an LMS, many of these tools are still available such as Zoom and WebEx.) With these video tools you can have live video and audio sessions for students and create and share recordings. This means you can use a webcam to record a lecture and send it to students through a URL or a link attached to an email. You can also paste the link into the LMS.
Explore the course essential checklist to see what other elements you can add to your course.
Choosing synchronous tools
In addition to the live audio and video options described above, there are other synchronous tools you can use to increase teamwork and participation in your virtual classroom. This includes synchronous documents, presentations, charting tools, chat applications, and more. Tools can be used at the class level or to facilitate small group work in a live setting. For small groups, students join the software in private “breakout” groups where they work independently from other groups.
Synchronous learning tools are useful and allow for collaboration similar to your classroom, but keep in mind that you may have students who cannot access the software for any number of reasons, so remain flexible and have alternative options in mind. If they don’t have access to good WiFi, mobile solutions are often available.
Strategies for teaching with social
Most students already use social media and text-based messaging extensively, so implementing social tools in the classroom can be an effective way to increase relevance, engagement, and flexibility. With proper oversight tailored to the age of your students, social media platforms are a great addition to your virtual toolbox.
Increase your availability
Consider extending your online office hours and online availability, especially for the first few weeks while students are adjusting to a new learning environment. There are numerous scheduling tools available online that can help you and students coordinate meetings. In addition, you may want to use a synchronous software like Zoom, WebEx, or another tool for office hours (we recommend using your institution’s software of choice).