Are Online Tools Only for Distance Learning?

Ahh online learning. A term that has become quite popular over these last few years…

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering schools, I had little experience with online/distance learning. All of my high school classes were in person at my high school. My undergraduate university experience was similar, with 98% of my classes being in person. There was one class when I lived in Quebec City that was technically “online,” although all it consisted of was a syllabus given with a few assignments and a book to read. The assignments were submitted online via email and there was a prof you could email to ask questions to. However, there was no forum/blog to interact with other classmates, and certainly no zoom sessions or virtual meetings. I would say it was more so a “do it yourself class” than distance/online learning.

My first real experience came with online teaching in March 2020. What a wild ride it was. Luckily, I had used Google Classroom before in my class as a way to share things with all students when it was time to work on computers, and to collect their typed assignments. This was helpful since my students already mostly understood the platform. However, the concept of teaching online instead of face to face was daunting and I spent most of the time feeling like I was just trying to keep my head above water. I felt like I was failing to give my kids proper instruction and that the disconnect/lack of connection really affected my teaching. Let’s also not forget about all the students who just disappeared and never logged in at all…

Online Tools I Love

Now, although online learning isn’t for everyone, there are definitely many students and teachers who will thrive in an online environment. Using the right tools can be helpful for engaging students and enhancing lessons. Plus, these tools don’t only need to be use for distance learning. There are so many tools that I either used online, or discovered later, that could work both in the classroom and for distance learning. Here are just a few:

1. Google Classroom – During online learning, I would schedule my posts for the week to post at different times. There are also so many amazing things you can do with the Google Platform and how it integrates Docs, Slides, and Forums as well. This is not only a great tool for distance learning, but can also be used in the classroom to share links + assignments for students to complete on the computers at school, and to collect their online work.
2. Youtube – Another great platform that can be used in so many ways. For distance learning videos can be shared through email, platforms like Edsby + Google Classroom, and even shown during virtual meets. In the classroom, we can show videos on projectors or assign them for students to watch independently on laptops or ipads. Also, not only is this tool great for at work (aka school), but also at home. I would say A LOT of my “online learning” in my life has come from learning how to do things on YouTube. It is where I learned how to decorate cakes, and was the main tool of my major learning project in ECI831 when I learned how to decorate cookies.
3. Canva – This is a new tool for me, I joined canva just towards the end of last year. I have used it to create worksheets for my class, notes to go home, a presentations for my graduate studies. From what I understand there are also “classrooms” on the platform which could be useful for sharing work with students who are doing distance learning. PLUS teachers can get canva pro for FREE!
4. Zoom – Obviously another big platform that is beneficial for both online and in person learning is Zoom. Not only can teachers meet with students/classes to teach concepts online, but we can also use Zoom to bring content into the classroom. Virtual field trips and meetings with people across the globe in real time are all possible now thanks to platforms like Zoom.

How would you feel about teaching with these tools in an online or distance education class, and how would your current context be impacted if you were to shift to an online/distance format vs. face to face?

As I said before, online teaching really was not my jam. If I needed to do it again I could probably get by, and of course improve my abilities to teach online over time. However, I feel that I excel when there is the face to face connection. I also prefer many methods that aren’t as easy to accomplish online such as small group work, 1-1 work on the same paper, and I Do, We Do, You Do lessons. Yes, all of these things can *technically* be done online, but personally I find they work better face to face.

I think the most important thing to remember is that what works for one person will not always work for someone else. There are many teachers who enjoy teaching online, just as there are many students who struggled without the in person environment. Everyone has different preferences and needs. There are so many tools that exist now a days and these can be great options for both online and in person learning!

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