Virtual Learning
Tools To Make It Work
Virtual learning tools are resources that help aid preventionists when giving virtual presentations. These learning tools can also be adapted to act as supplements for in-person learning.
Virtual learning
Among the benefits of virtual learning is the large variety of different resources such as videos, texts, presentations, and quizzes that can be used to adapt teaching methods to different learning styles. The use of new technologies and platforms give educators the freedom to experiment in their teaching practice and the ability to make changes if something doesn’t work. Benefits of virtual learning for educators also includes the ability to receive constant feedback from participants regarding whether they understand the material being presented, if the material is interesting to them, if they have any questions throughout the presentation, etc. The chat feature on some virtual learning platforms offers a great space for participants to ask questions that the presenter is able to reference and answer later in the presentation. Online platforms provide a large variety of assessment tools; various quizzes, polls, games and surveys can be distributed to participants to measure their understanding of the materials.
Below, you will find video tutorials that will help users to navigate a variety of learning management systems and supplemental websites.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a free web service developed by Google for schools that aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading assignments. The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students.
Canva
Canva is a graphic design platform, used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, videos, flyers, documents and other visual content. The app includes templates for users to use. The platform is free to use but does offer paid subscriptions like Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise.
Zoom
Zoom is a video teleconferencing software program. The free plan allows up to 100 participants, with a 40-minute time restriction. Users have the option to upgrade by subscribing to a paid plan.
Zoom: Whiteboard
The Zoom whiteboard feature allows you to share a whiteboard with participants. This feature allows each individual to participate in various activities using the ‘annotation’ feature.
Zoom: Breakout Rooms
Breakout rooms allow you to split your Zoom meeting in up to 50 separate sessions. The meeting host can choose to split the participants of the meeting into these separate sessions automatically or manually, or they can allow participants to select and enter breakout sessions as they please.
Zoom: Polls
The polling feature for zoom meetings allows you to create single-choice or multiple-choice polling questions for your meetings. You will be able to launch the poll, gather responses from your attendees, and share out poll responses.
Generating QR Codes for Online Learning
QR codes essentially work in the same way as a barcode. Every QR code consists of a number of black squares and dots which represent certain pieces of information. When your Smartphone scans this code, it translates the information and links you to the website the QR code is linked to. QR codes allow for quick and easy access to different links and resources.
PollEverywhere
Poll Everywhere is an online service that allows educators to ask their students a question. The students answer the question using their mobile phones, Twitter, or web browsers. Both the question and the students' responses are displayed live in Keynote, PowerPoint, and/or on the internet.
Kahoot!
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform, used as a learning supplement in schools and other institutions. Its learning games, or "kahoots", are user-generated multiple-choice quizzes that can be accessed via a web browser or the Kahoot app. Kahoot can be used to test knowledge or measure how well attendees are absorbing the information.