Over the past few weeks, we have seen so many resources shared to help us transition to and make adjustments in remote teaching. In prior posts, I have shared some tools that I have used with students in my classroom for several years, all of which are versatile, and often referred to as one-stop shops.
I think it is a great time to pursue some different types of learning tools and ideas for our students. We can use some of these options when we are together with our students in the same space, but they are also fun for students to explore with family and friends, too.
Blended or flipped learning are not new concepts, but for many educators and families, it may be the first time they are working through learning in such a format. Finding helpful resources that can enhance the content area that we are teaching and also provide students with more immersive and engaging learning experiences can take time.
Read: Updated: 254 free K-12 resources during coronavirus pandemic
Boosting immersive, engaging learning
Many educators have been looking for ways to push instruction beyond the physical classroom space, and extending where and when learning happens. There are many tools for sharing multimedia content and creating interactive lessons to engage students in learning during this time. The options below will be helpful now—and when we transition to the in-person classroom space.
- BrainPOP: This animated educational website now offers free access to all lessons. There are more than 1,000 videos and activities on a variety of topics for K-12 students. Students can work through the lessons at their own pace, and teachers can provide feedback within BrainPOP.
- Buncee: Teachers can use this multimedia creation tool to set up classes, share assignments, provide feedback, and send updates and newsletters. Webinars are offered twice daily and educators can join the Educator Community on Facebook for more ideas. Families can also use Buncee to create a family scrapbook or cookbook as well as greetings, and share a weekly journal. There have also been initiatives for classrooms and families around the world to join; most recently, a Hugs for Heroes project thanked the many people around the world who are working to help others now.
All of these tools offer ideas to get started quickly and can easily transition for use in our classrooms.
- Google Tour Creator: Take students on a field trip without leaving home. Teachers can create a virtual reality tour, have students create their own, or explore some of the templates available in the platform. This is an easy way to immerse students in learning and give them the chance to travel the world.
- Nearpod: Using some of the Ready to Go At Home Lessons, teachers and families can find options for keeping students engaged in more meaningful learning as well as with current topics. There are also VR field trips to explore.
- Pear Deck: Another good option to consider for interactive lessons is Pear Deck, which offers remote learning resources for educators and families. Paired with Newsela, it offers teachers Daily Decks for lessons that include articles and interactive prompts for students.
Read: Four ways to manage the influx of learning apps in the classroom
Start with any one of these tools and see how many options there are for you and your students to explore. All of these offer ideas to get started quickly and can easily transition for use in our classrooms.
Rachelle Dene Poth (@Rdene915) is a foreign language and STEAM teacher at Riverview Junior/Senior High in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. She is a featured speaker for FETC®.
DA’s coronavirus page offers complete coverage of the impacts on K-12.
