Over the past few years, the need for online classrooms has virtually exploded. Companies and developers were racing to create the perfect platform for all students and teachers, trying to get a slice of the online teaching business.
This led to many different software solutions and plugins being developed to fill this specific role. This article will list eight of the best tools and plugins for online Teaching and virtual classrooms.
1. Google Classroom
Let’s start with an entry that comes as no surprise to anyone who had online classes in the past two years, Google Classroom. A fully-fledged mobile application allows you to attend your lessons and start studying while on the go.
Teachers and tutors have easy access to tests, assignments, and live-conferencing classes and sessions. You may also utilize the Google Classroom calendar to keep track of deadlines, assignment submissions, and other activities.
2. Zoom
Another entry that has become commonplace in the past few years is Zoom. It is an amazing virtual class and collaboration tool. The tool contains almost every function you’ll need to communicate with your teacher or students.
Zoom allows multiple forms of communication. There is chat, phone discussions, video webinars, conference rooms, online meetings, and training. Zoom is also one of the most popular online teaching and learning apps among customers. It is straightforward to use, purchase, and scale up if needed, and it’s well-optimized for quick and easy interactions.
3. BigBlueButton
BigBlueButton is somewhat of an oddity. It is an open-source collaboration tool and has a few quirks. That means developers regularly update it all around the world, and anyone can read its source code.
It’s a web conferencing-based software solution for online learning and training in use by many universities and schools. The tool integrates well with a wide array of learning management systems, including Schoology, Jenzabar, D2L, Moodle, and Sakai. Because it is open-source, it is extremely developer-friendly and comes with a simple API that enables further customization and specialization of the tool.
4. Moodle
We have another open-source collaboration tool. Moodle is a PHP-based LMS platform that is released under the GNU General Public License, which implies that any developer interested in contributing to the tool’s development is welcome.
It’s one of the most popular learning management systems, and it lets you easily create an online learning site. Plenty of schools and universities utilize Moodle as a part of their online learning infrastructure. Moodle has a number of tools and resources, including documentation, content resources, and information, that may help you in various ways.
5. LearnPress
Let’s take a look now at some WordPress plugins that might be of use to online learners and teachers. LearnPress is a WordPress plugin that lets you create a fully functional curriculum management system.
It lets you create courses, lessons, and quizzes and track how your materials are being utilized. Courses and materials may be designed similarly to how they are on commercial learning management systems, which reduces adjustment time to the new tool.
LearnPress is GPLv2-licensed and open-source, like Moodle and BigBlueButton. Also, a grade book is supported by a LearnPress plugin that is available, etc.
6. LearnDash
LearnDash is another WordPress plugin that enhances your site’s capabilities to assist you in creating spectacular virtual classrooms. The plugin, which was created with educators in mind, offers exceptional quality and versatility, enabling you to create several courses with your own categories and themes.
It may also be used to create student quizzes and exams, as well as to fill out enrollment forms, collect data, and show students’ grades and progress on bulletin boards. LearnDash is a feature-rich customized course catalog and course administration plugin for your WordPress site.
7. Sensei
Sensei is a WordPress learning management system (LMS) plugin designed by the same team that produced WooCommerce. For example, it’s really easy to use and follows the same ideas as WordPress and WooCommerce.
Installing and configuring the Sensei plugin is a breeze. However, because there aren’t many third-party connectors, you’ll have to use WooCommerce to sell your courses.
8. WP Courseware
WP Courseware has all of the functionality you’d expect from a learning management system. Using this approach, you may construct a course where participants merely input their email addresses as a form of registration.
Because the site is SSL-encrypted, you may change the admin panel without the risk of losing your information. It is possible to exchange files, films, and other multimedia resources. As a consequence, teachers will be able to simply allow pupils to communicate with one another.
Conclusion
There are many more tools out there whose function is to improve your online teaching experience. However, we think that these eight tools and plugins showcase a good amount of variety in approach.
It is up to you to find which one suits you the best.
