What are the different kind of tools we will need to use? Do you have suggestions for each one?
Obviously we need a video conferencing tool, but what else should I make sure to have/or start utilizing to ensure I give my students the best virtual learning experience possible?
Hi Frank, I think you’re right that a video conferencing tool is important so your students have some face time with you (and the students with each other). In addition to some of the bigger business-oriented video conferencing tools (https://www.g2.com/categories/video-conferencing) you might consider trying out a virtual classroom tool. Virtual Classroom products (https://www.g2.com/categories/virtual-classroom) have live video as well, but they also tend to gear their functionality toward creating a solid learning environment, with features like digital whiteboards, hand-raising, breakout rooms, etc. Some of the top-rated tools in that category, according to user reviews, are Adobe Connect, Blackboard Collaborate, BigBlueButton, and LearnCube.
You probably also want to have a way of delivering lesson materials and assignments to students. I would recommend looking at our LMS category (https://www.g2.com/categories/learning-management-system-lms). One platform that I used myself when I was a classroom teacher is Google Classroom (https://www.g2.com/products/google-classroom/reviews), part of their G Suite for Education, which is free for schools. Other examples include Canvas, SAP Litmos, Blackboard Learn, and Schoology.
For specific lesson materials and activities, take a look at our new Digital Learning Platforms category (https://www.g2.com/categories/digital-learning-platforms), which has a bunch of products with ready-to-go content -- and many are offering free premium versions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hope that helps, good luck!
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