With the current government measures in place, schools are facing the decision of how to adapt to the temporary closure of schools. Whether your school is addressing this issue centrally or leaving the decision and implementation to individual teachers, here are some tips on how to deal with the situation effectively.
E-learning has come a long way and there are numerous ways to deliver necessary information and materials to students. Some services are even offering their otherwise paid services for free in response to the current situation. Take a look at the options available to you as a teacher.
Communication and Sharing Services
Google Classroom seems to be an ideal platform for the current situation, offering an easy way to share and send materials between teachers and students. Google Docs allows for easy sharing and editing of documents, is free, and provides ample storage. Google Hangouts, a service similar to Skype, allows for video calls, voice calls, and chat. Microsoft Teams is suitable for video calls, file sharing, and group chats. WhatsApp and Skype are also popular communication tools that can be used for group calls and chats. Zoom is great for video conferences and webinars, but there is a 40-minute limit on group calls with three or more participants. Classflow allows you to create lessons, online whiteboards, quizzes, tests, and more. Discord, originally for gamers, can also be used for educational purposes. Sli.do facilitates online discussions and live voting through polls on smartphones. CollBoard is a shared virtual whiteboard that can be shared via messaging apps or email. Bakaláři is a widely used system for school administration and communication with parents and students. Edmodo is a platform for efficient sharing of materials and messages with students. Jitsi.org allows for free video conferences, while Slack is a useful tool for school-wide communication. Quizizz, Quizlet, and Socrative are great for creating quizzes and games for students. Kahoot offers fun and colorful quizzes for students. Timixi allows students to create timelines on various topics. Úschovna and WeTransfer are useful for sending large files.
Websites with Educational Content and Practice
Khan Academy offers interactive videos on subjects like biology, chemistry, math, and economics. Scio provides over 500 online tests in math and Czech for students from 3rd to 9th grade. Educational YouTube channels cover a wide range of topics and can be a valuable resource. Isibalo offers educational videos for math, physics, and chemistry. Techambition allows teachers to assign math problems and track student progress. Matika.in, Zlatka.in, Gramar.in, and Geograf.in offer interactive learning for various subjects. Drillandskill.cz is another resource for practicing material. Umímeto.cz offers exercises in Czech, English, German, math, programming, and facts. Včelka is great for practicing reading, English, and Spanish on mobile devices. Redmonster provides materials for various subjects for free. Onlinecvičení.cz is useful for practicing Czech and math for elementary school students. Minecraft for Education is a version of the popular game adapted for educational purposes. Storyboardthat allows students to create comics. TED Talks offers over 3300 educational lectures on various topics. Duolingo and Mooveez are great for language learning. Old Maps Online provides historical maps from around the world. Trainbra.in improves critical thinking skills. Google Arts & Culture offers high-resolution images of artworks. Svět médií provides resources for media literacy. Jeden svět na školách offers audiovisual lessons for humanities subjects. Moderní dějiny covers events of the past century. Občankáři offers courses on modern history and multicultural education. Vyprávěj příběh from Paměť národa allows students to interview and create stories from witnesses. Fraus and NOVÁ ŠKOLA offer free access to electronic textbooks. Škola s nadhledem provides online exercises for elementary and high school students. Seduo.cz offers professionally prepared courses. Duolingo and Mooveez are great for language learning.
In conclusion, there are numerous tools and resources available for teachers to facilitate online learning during school closures. By utilizing these platforms effectively, teachers can continue to engage students and ensure continuity in education. Share your own tips and experiences with online learning in the comments.