Using new technologies for remote and in-class learning

This current pandemic has tested our nerves quite a lot. To cope with the constant switching from in class to remote learning, we can safely say that most of us have found in digital tools a valuable ally, putting us in front of a major change in the way our education systems work. But upon our return to classes on a regular schedule and in order to avoid losing touch with the efficiency that ICT tools are able to provide to our lessons,

what tools can we use to make our job as teachers easier and the students’ learning process more effective?

​With this question in mind, 7 teachers coming from Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania met from 14/11/2021 to 20/11/2021 to test and explore first hand some tools to support both distant and in class learning. We started from some app which would come handy when in need of creating visually engaging materials for our lessons. From photo correction and collages to the editing of videos, the teachers produced contents that were used later on during the week in combination with other apps.

Another topic explored was Weebly, a website building tool which can serve multiple options of use in distance learning. By setting up different pages and enriching them with contents, our participants had the opportunity to personalize their website and explore different possibilities of use with their students: from building their own website to share extra resources with students, to asking them to build their portfolios or writing a blog to report the development stages of a project, they were left impressed by the facility with which one can create an entire website with just few clicks… and some patience ;)

The course went on discussing other tools for collecting and sharing resources and content. The first one, Thinglink, was more fitted for visual learners. By enriching an image of pins collecting videos, images, texts, pdf, and other embeddable materials, a teacher is able to share all this content with their students in just a simple click. Thinglink was found useful to describe different parts of a picture, especially in scientific subjects, and to provide a deeper context for a richer learning experience when approaching a new topic, for example in foreign language studies. The second tool explored for resource sharing was Padlet. In this case, participants practiced this tool which functions as a collaborative wall, where every user is encouraged to post and contribute in building a more exhaustive collection of information. It was generally appreciated by everyone due to the extreme flexibility of use; in particular, it was found to be a very useful app for Geography and Language learning.

The fourth category of tools presented was to create engaging and interactive lessons, especially with the goal of motivating students and helping them to better enjoy their learning process. We explored Mentimeter, a tool for interactive presentations in which the teacher can request the class’ opinion by submitting polls, creating word clouds, or asking for questions or feedback on the topic being presented. We practiced also Edpuzzle, a great tool to create video lessons.

​Participants found it very useful for submitting homework, or study material or even use as assessment thanks to the different options of Multiple choice and Open Answer questions that we can embed directly in the video. The third app explored to create more interactive didactic materials was Quizlet, thanks to which teachers can create decks of flashcards about words definitions, words translations, words association with images etc... and ask students to get familiar with the concepts by playing the deck in multiple ways. As our participants have tested on their skin, the best part is to play Quizlet “Live”, an in-class playful activity which requires each team to develop coordination, mutual help and good communication to become the winner.

Finally, on the last day, we revised all the topics and tools studied during the week by playing (and afterwards practicing) Bamboozle, the best tool for bringing a healthy dose of competition and fun between teams while revising and checking knowledge.

More info on the course “Making the most of new technologies, apps and social media in the classroom” at this link: www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/social-media-in-the-classroom.html and the course "Discover the best apps and tools for e-learning, distance learning and web design" at this link: www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/e-learning-and-web-design.html