7 Latin Distance Learning Tools
7 Distance Learning Tools for Latin in 2020
The past few weeks have been an adjustment for all teachers and students. I have never felt so happy to have the moderately decent tech skills I have struggled to gain over my lifetime. Distance learning tools require technology! As with my previous blog post, on how I integrate technology into Latin lessons in a meaningful way, here are the distance learning tools I have found the greatest success with so far:
Explain Everything allows me to annotate a PDF on my iPad with my Apple Pencil while talking my students through what I’m doing
I like to talk/annotate them through a review assignment, edit it in iMovie, and then post to EdPuzzle so I can gauge their understanding
I have used this app for years, but to reduce my time on content creation during remote learning, I am finding Loom a bit faster because I don’t spend quite as much time editing
Here is what the iPad interface for Explain Everything EDU looks like, as well as a video on how I integrate Explain Everything into EdPuzzle!
2. Loom
Loom allows teachers to record your screen and your face at the same time!
Loom is an extension on my Google Chrome
I upload my Google Slide presentation, press Loom to start recording, and then download the file
Teachers can either send the Loom link direct to students, or download the video and upload to another source (EdPuzzle, Nearpod, etc)
Seeing the teacher’s face just adds a personal touch in such an uncomfortable period of time
3. Flipgrid
Flipgrid allows teachers to post a prompt, and then students can upload a video response!
Teachers can monitor videos of students before they are posted, and also decide if students can view react to others
As a distance learning tool, I used Flipgrid to ask for feedback from my students for the most useful types of assignments I’ve given them,
I’ve also used Flipgrid as an activity for my 6th graders to summarize our translation stories
4. EdPuzzle
EdPuzzle allows teachers to upload a video and ask questions throughout it to students
Teachers can upload a video online (YouTube, Kahn Academy, etc… or a self-made video)
I really appreciate how seamlessly EdPuzzle integrates into Google Classroom and grades most questions for me! Any student-typed answers I grade manually, but EdPuzzle makes the grading system super efficient
5. Nearpod
Nearpod has pre-made games, and you just plug in your own content after uploading your Powerpoint or Google Slides.
I typically upload 10-15 slides, reviewing a concept in increasing chunks, then have a matching game in between each concept, as well as Quiz or Time-to-Climb questions at the end
6. Digital Escape Rooms
The ultimate way to redefine a lesson with technology! Students manipulate iPad within a 360 degree image to find clues to Latin challenges.
Our 6th grade Latin students completed a digital escape room I made (“Escape the Underworld”, since we were reading about Pluto & Proserpina!) in breakout rooms in Zoom!
Digital Escape Rooms are complicated to make… here is the “Escape the Underworld” digital escape I made!
7. Editable PDF worksheets
Assign a worksheet reviewing Latin relative pronouns remotely!
Students download the file, enter their answers, save, and e-mail back to the teacher.
If students have an app in Chrome that allows them to edit PDFs, such as Lumen or Kami, their work is saved automatically!
I hope these distance learning tools were useful! Most importantly, teachers should use the platforms they and their students feel most comfortable using that also deliver content and review most effectively.
Check out my ready-to-go resources here!
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