9 Online Learning Tools to Use in Class and Online

1. Edpuzzle

Edpuzzle is an online tool that lets you use a variety of videos from other online platforms, such as YouTube, National Geographic, TED Talks, Khan Academy, etc, and allows you to edit the videos to make them interactive. This sounds more complicated that it actually is.

For example, I love this tool for teaching poetry. I can get the lyric video version to many songs and input my own question/request at the side, such as “Identify the metaphor in the lyrics”, where the students can then enter their answer.

Additionally, you do not have to make your own interactive questions/statements. You can search premade videos by other people and use them.

2. Mentimeter

Mentimeter is another interactive platform that can be used. You can create a presentation of a variety of type of questions, statements, notes, word clouds, etc. You can add in videos, quotes, images, videos to name a few. Students can access these slides made through a menti code generated by the presentation. Students enter in the code on the site and can begin submitting their answers to whatever you create.

These can be extremely quick to make and are also very effective. Answers are all submitted anonymously so any students who feel answering questions aloud in class can easily contribute without elevating anxiety levels

The only downside is you can only make two slides in your presentation for free. If you add more than two slides, you will have to pay.

Some ideas:

Brainstorming information.

Checking the learning intentions during and at the end of class.

Gathering prior knowledge.

Questioning.

3. Canva

Canva is an online design platform that allows you to create graphics and other kinds of visual content. There is a free version and a paid for version. Fortunately, the free version is packed with all kinds of useful templates and options to create a graphic design. It can be used on a laptop, tablet/iPad, and phone. In fact, I have only ever used this on my phone and it is incredibly easy to use. So, if students only have access to a mobile device, they can easily create a graphic.

Canva can be brilliant to use if they have to create a social media post or a social media based on a topic, poster presentations, graphic organisers, and so much more. This is brilliant because students can make aesthetically pleasing, key information and image graphics to help them collate their learning and make their own notes. Creating this type of work is incredibly beneficial to students for these reasons.

4. Visme

Visme is another platform similar to Canva. You can create a variety of resources, such as infographics, presentations, videos, graphs, etc on this platform. About 80% of its function is free. As a teacher, you can use it to create content or have your students create their own content.

Personally, I find Canva much more user friendly and if I were to pick between these two, I would use Canva. It might be possible I am just used to Canva by now so definitely have a play around and see what works best for you and your students.

5. Padlet

Is a free online platform that allows students and teachers to contribute information. Students can access this through a link shared by the teacher. Students and teachers can post links, information, feedback, images, documents, etc. Everyone who is a member of the Padlet created can see what was posted.

Students can post anonymously so it can allow for greater participation if students normally feel self-conscious in class.

Ideas for use in lessons:

Collating prior knowledge to a question/topic.

Brainstorming Ideas.

Giving mid class feedback on learning intentions.

Giving feedback for learning intentions achieved at the end of class.

Questioning.

6. Jamboard

Jamboard is an online platform which allows teachers to facilitate student interaction. It is powered by Google so if you have a Google Account, you have access to Jamboard.

I really love how easy and straightforward this is to use. It’s very effective at collating student responses to short questions, gaining prior knowledge, identifying photographs, exiting a lesson and many more. Students can also post anonymously which can help reduce anxiety levels for many students. Additionally, you can easily change background colours and images and insert so many types of images which make it extremely SEN friendly.

7. Kahoot

Kahoot is a learning platform through games and quizzes. You can easily create your own quiz and put in as much or as little effort as you want. Your questions can be multiple choice and/or true or false. In addition to these questions, you can add images or gifs to keep your Kahoot more engaging for students.

If you do no want to spend time creating your own Kahoot, they have a bank of Kahoots made from other people. All you have to do is search a keyword on the topic you are covering and many of them will come up. The only downside is that someone else has made them and they may not be tailored exactly to what your class has been learning or your curriculum content.

Top Tip: Set the names and do not allow students to enter in their own names. You will have more arguments and bullying than learning if you do not.

8. Quizizz

Quizizz is another online platform that allows you to make quizzes/polls to gauge student learning. However, it also allows you to create lessons where you can create slides incorporated with quizzes.

This is one of my favourite quiz creation platforms and I would definitely use this above Kahoot and Quizlet.

If you do not get time to create your own quiz, you can search the quiz library using key terms for your topic. The only downside would be that it would not be tailored to your class learning specifically so students may not have come across all the information.

Top Tip: Set the names and do not allow students to enter in their own names. You will have more arguments and bullying than learning if you do not.

9.Triptico Plus

TripticoPlus is my far one of the most engaging online tools I have used to date. It is packed with so many different types of interactive tools to use with students that you will struggle to get through them all rather than struggle to find use for them.

The only downside is that there is a mandatory subscription fee of €21 for the year. However, I fully think it is worth it.

My subscription is up for renewal and it is next on my agenda of resources to buy. However, I am a student teacher so this is in the Wait Zone at the moment.

Since I have last used it, there have been updates to make the online tool even more efficient than it already was. Check out the “Lots of New Resource…” image below.

I hope some of these online learning tools helps you with your classes, both in person and online!

Elise-Teaches.com