Web Tools
Here are some of the most useful web tools available that can easily be incorporated into online classrooms. This is not a comprehensive list of Web tools, so if you'd like to suggest a web tool to be added to this list, please email us with your suggestion.
Eli Review
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Eli Review is a great technology that supports peer review in both face-to-face and online classrooms. Eli Review was designed by instructors who wanted better technology to help facilitate:
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External Course Management Systems
Many schools already have their own course management systems such as Blackboard, Angel, Desire2Learn, WebCT, and so on. However, some programs may be inclined to allow their instructors to use or create alternative CMSs for better access and usability.
- Weebly - a free user-centered WYSIWYG that serves as an excellent space to manage content.
- Google Sites - a great space that is completely linked with your Google account and Google applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.). It allows users to control who has access to content, host your Google Course Calendar, embed documents, links, and also allows students to upload hard copies of their writing, link to their online writing projects, or create their own blog within the site.
Collaborative Spaces
One of the main components for a writing class can be word processing documents and software. Regardless of your preferred choice, online writing classes require the submission and sharing of writing through a CMS, discussion board, or through files submitted to the instructor or to one another for feedback. Thus, it is important to use tools to create a knowledge making space where students can write, collaborate, and learn. Here are a few to consider:
- Google Drive-offers collaborative spaces to share documents, create presentations, store files, etc.
- Firepad - a free web based writing space that is conducive for sharing ideas, code, and brainstorming.
- Etherpad - highly customizable and open source editor for online writing and collaboration.
- Zoho - a suite of apps to create online documents, spreadsheets and presentations (plus databases) that also allows you to create groups.
- Voice Thread -a free space that could be utilized for peer review as it allows for communication using multiple methods and multiple file types (useful for multimodal projects in an online setting).
- Wrike-a powerful work management software program.
- Kahoot -a way to make learning more fun! This program allows instructors to create learning games or work with and/or adapt ones already in existence in order to create a more interactive learning experience for students.
- Poll-Maker -allows users to create question based polls and share the URL with anyone in order to get results/answers to questions posed; would be useful to get feedback on a course, or to show students how to collect data to use in their writing.
Video Making, Editing, and Captioning
Using video screen capture enables you to speak to your students as you walk them through an assignment, the schedule, the CMS, feedback, the direction of the class, and a multitude of examples. We recommend this as a form of connecting with your students on a personal level so they can hear your voice and know that there is a human being on the other side of the screen that is there to help, not just some robotic instructor who makes written comments on papers and then emails them back without the possibility of creating a discourse on the subject.
Video Making
Video Editing
Video Captioning
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Video Conferencing
Connecting with students in an online space can be difficult. Often students feel disconnected in online courses. By using a video conference software, you can see the student, hear them, and gain a better understanding as to where they are with concern for assignments and class. A five minute video conference will go a long way compared to a four page email trying to explain the assignment you have already explained. Such video conferences may seem difficult if you are private, but think back to your face-to-face classes and remember how helpful speaking with your students can be - both for them and for you as a teacher.
- Skype - you can share screens to walk them through assignments and websites.
- Google Hangouts - share screens and speak to multiple students at once if needed (great for groups).
- Zoom -a free space that allows you to video conference with your students.
- WebEx-offers video conferencing for free and at different paid levels
- Adobe Connect-offers free trials and paid subscriptions