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The way I teach has changed a lot because of online training apps. There are a lot of tools they give me that help me make learning fun outside of school. These apps are like a big family. They all help me and my kids in different ways.
Because it works with all of Google’s other tools, I think Google Classroom is really simple to use. It’s easy to do things like make projects, grade them, and work with other people. Then there’s Microsoft Teams, which lets people chat and work together. It lets you make video calls, share files, and even work on papers together at the same time.
Comparison Table
In online education, the correct instructional app can improve learning. Check out our complete comparison table of the finest online teaching apps to make your decision easier. This comparison will highlight major features, usability, integration possibilities, security measures, and price structures to help educators make informed choices for their teaching needs and preferences.
Feature | Google Classroom | Microsoft Teams | Canvas | Zoom | Edmodo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
User Interface | Clean and intuitive | Modern and customizable | User-friendly with customizable dashboards | Simple and easy to navigate | Simple and intuitive |
Assignment Management | Yes, with due dates, attachments, and grading tools | Yes, with assignment creation, grading, and feedback | Comprehensive tools for creating and grading assignments | Limited, primarily used for live sessions and screen sharing | Yes, with assignment creation, grading, and feedback |
Collaboration Tools | Discussion boards, comments, and group activities | Chat, file sharing, co-authoring, and team channels | Collaboration spaces, group projects, and peer reviews | Screen sharing, breakout rooms, and chat | Discussions, polls, and collaborative learning features |
Communication | Announcements, private messages, and class comments | Chat, video calls, and announcements | Messaging, discussion boards, and announcements | Video conferencing, chat, and webinar features | Messaging, announcements, and group communication |
Integrations | Google Workspace apps (Docs, Drive, etc.) | Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, etc.) | LTI integrations, Google Drive, and third-party tools | Integrates with calendar apps and scheduling tools | Google Drive and Office 365 integrations |
Mobile App | Yes, available for iOS and Android | Yes, available for iOS and Android | Yes, mobile-friendly interface | Yes, available for iOS and Android | Yes, available for iOS and Android |
Pricing | Free for schools with Google Workspace for Education | Included in Microsoft 365 Education plans | Subscription-based with pricing based on institution size | Free basic plan with limitations, paid plans for additional features | Free basic plan with premium options available |
Best Online Teaching Apps
Online teaching apps are vital for teachers worldwide in today’s ever-changing educational environment. These apps have several capabilities to improve education, engage students, and facilitate communication between teachers, students, and parents.
Google Classroom
![Best Online Teaching Apps](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/22-1-1024x503.webp)
Features | Description |
---|---|
Assignment Management | Create, distribute, and grade assignments digitally. |
Communication Tools | Facilitate discussions, announcements, and feedback with students. |
Integration with Google Apps | Seamless integration with Google Drive, Docs, and other Workspace tools. |
Class Material Organization | Organize course materials, resources, and syllabus in one place. |
Real-time Collaboration | Enable collaborative work, group projects, and peer editing. |
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As a teacher, I love Google Classroom because it works so well with all of Google’s other tools. This makes it easy for me to make tasks and put them in order quickly. Plus, I can talk to my students and give them comments right away, which helps them learn more.
Group work is possible with Google Classroom, which is a great feature. My students can work together on projects, talk about them, and share tools. This makes learning more fun for everyone and pushes people to work together.
The Good
- Integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps.
- User-friendly interface for teachers and students.
- Effective for assignment management and communication.
The Bad
- Limited customization options compared to some other platforms.
- Dependency on Google ecosystem for full functionality.
Microsoft Teams
![Best Online Teaching Apps](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/25-1-1024x600.webp)
Features | Description |
---|---|
Collaboration Hub | Share files, communicate, and collaborate within dedicated teams. |
Class Notebook | Organize lesson materials, assignments, and student work in a digital notebook. |
Video Conferencing | Conduct virtual classes, meetings, and webinars with video and audio capabilities. |
Integration with Microsoft 365 | Seamlessly integrate with Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
Security and Compliance | Ensure data security and compliance with privacy regulations. |
Customizable Workflows | Create custom workflows, automate tasks, and manage assignments efficiently. |
These days, Microsoft Teams is great for teaching. There are many things I can do, such as make video talks, chat live, share files, and work with other people. It helps me stay in touch with my kids even when we’re not together. It’s easy for me to set up online classes, share videos and other materials, and hold live sessions to make learning more fun and engaging.
Teams also helps me keep track of my work a lot. It’s easy for me to make, share, and check tasks. It also has places for students to turn in their work, keep track of attendance, and meeting rooms for group activities. Plus, this helps me keep an eye on everyone’s growth.
The Good
- Robust collaboration tools like chat, file sharing, and team channels.
- Integration with Microsoft 365 apps for productivity.
- Suitable for both education and business environments.
The Bad
- Steeper learning curve for new users.
- Requires a Microsoft 365 subscription for full features.
Canvas
![Best Online Teaching Apps](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/23-1024x534.webp)
Features | Description |
---|---|
Course Creation | Build courses with customizable layouts, modules, and content. |
Assessment Tools | Create quizzes, assignments, and assessments with grading options. |
Student Analytics | Track student progress, performance, and engagement metrics. |
Third-party Integrations | Integrate with external tools, LTI apps, and learning resources. |
Mobile-Friendly Design | Access Canvas on mobile devices for teaching and learning on the go. |
Collaboration Features | Enable collaboration, group projects, and discussion forums within courses. |
Canvas is a great way to learn online. As a teacher, it makes it easy for me to make, organise, and share course materials. I can keep track of homework, tests, and conversations, which makes learning more fun and active.
The fact that Canvas can be changed is something I really like about it. My lessons are fun for students because I can make them however I want. It also lets me keep track of their growth and give them feedback when it’s needed, which helps me help them learn better.
The Good
- Comprehensive tools for creating and grading assignments.
- Customizable dashboards and course structures.
- Integrations with third-party tools and services.
The Bad
- Complex interface may be overwhelming for some users.
- Cost may be a barrier for smaller institutions.
Zoom
![Best Online Teaching Apps](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24-1-1024x573.webp)
Features | Description |
---|---|
Video Conferencing | Host virtual classes, meetings, and webinars with HD video and audio. |
Breakout Rooms | Divide participants into smaller groups for discussions and activities. |
Screen Sharing | Share screens, documents, presentations, and multimedia content. |
Recording and Playback | Record sessions for later playback and review by students. |
Polls and Surveys | Conduct polls, surveys, and quizzes during live sessions for engagement. |
Integration with LMS | Integrate Zoom with Learning Management Systems for seamless course delivery. |
For video calls, Zoom has been my first choice because it’s simple and useful. It’s very helpful for my online classes because I can have live chats and record meetings that students can watch later. The meeting rooms are great, in my opinion. For games and discussions, they let me put students into smaller groups.
This made learning more fun and team-based. It’s easier to teach when Zoom works well with both video and sound. Zoom helps me be a better online teacher and keep my students interested in everything I do, like live classes, office hours, and group work.
The Good
- Excellent for video conferencing, screen sharing, and breakout rooms.
- Simple and intuitive interface for hosting virtual classes.
- Widely used and familiar to many users.
The Bad
- Free plan has limitations in terms of meeting duration and participants.
Edmodo
![Best Online Teaching Apps](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/255-jpg.webp)
Features | Description |
---|---|
Communication Tools | Communicate with students, parents, and fellow educators via messaging and announcements. |
Assignment Management | Create, distribute, and grade assignments with customizable settings. |
Secure Environment | Ensure a safe and private platform for online teaching and learning. |
Resource Sharing | Share educational resources, lesson plans, and materials with the class. |
Student Progress Tracking | Monitor student progress, grades, and participation in discussions and assignments. |
Edmodo is a great way to learn. It’s safe and simple to use because it was made just for schools and students to use online. Edmodo makes it easy for me to set up online classes. My students and I can work together, share tools, and give each other work. This makes it easy for me and my kids to learn online.
It’s also easy to talk to other people on Edmodo. It’s easy for me to talk to my kids and their parents. I use message boards, announcements, and texts to talk to people, answer their questions, share news, and have fun while I learn.
The Good
- Simple and intuitive platform for communication and collaboration.
- Offers features like discussions, polls, and collaborative learning.
- Integration with Google Drive and Office 365 for file sharing.
The Bad
- Limited scalability
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Teaching App
Make sure to take into consideration the following while choosing an online teaching app:
- Ease of Use,When searching for apps, look for those that have an intuitive user interface that allows you to simplify instructional tasks and increase your productivity.
- The features of the application should be evaluated, including the capacity of the app to organise assignments, communicate with other users, collaborate with other people, and assess students.
- When it comes to integration, you should think about using apps that can easily interact with the many platforms and technologies that are utilised in your educational setting.
- Ensure that apps that have solid security features are given priority in order to protect student data and maintain students’ privacy.
- When selecting an online teaching software, it is important to compare different pricing options and take into consideration any financial limits you may have.
Questions and Answers
The answer is yes; a significant number of educators make use of a variety of apps in order to take advantage of a wide range of features and functions that are tailored to their specific teaching requirements.
To answer your question, the answer is yes; online teaching apps may be modified to cover a wide range of subjects and grade levels, providing flexibility and scalability.
Maintaining students’ interest and motivation can be accomplished by the utilisation of interactive elements, collaborative activities, multimedia resources, and consistent communication.