The master keys of virtual classrooms

In times of pandemic, many parents have been forced to convert their living room into an office and a school classroom. Something that, in no way, would have been possible without having at your disposal the enormous amount of digital tools that we currently have. If workers have had to get used to using video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom; or messaging services, such as Hangouts; Students and teachers have had to use, in many cases, the same platforms so as not to lose track with the classes. Especially last spring, when colleges and universities across Spain remained closed. However, this does not imply that all platforms and applications available on the internet are recommended. «You have to use known tools that offer certain guarantees. And if you use services that capture your image, you have to try to offer the right information about your environment ", Ofelia Tejerina, president of the Internet Users Association, explains to ABC. For his part, Lorenzo Martínez, director of the information technology company Securízame, highlights the importance of students and teachers being cautious: “They have to apply common sense. You have to be very careful with emails and links on the Internet. Especially with what doesn't make sense for them to send you. What looks like a scam is. It is important that they review everything many times so that they do not get scared. 1. Google is one of the technologies that, at the moment, is offering better service packages to colleges and universities to be able to continue with classes from homes. Its G Suite for Education platform includes tools such as Classroom, which allows teachers to design tasks for their students and, in turn, allow them to solve them as a team. 2. Video conferencing platforms have become indispensable tools in the new normal. There is a wide variety, including Google Meet and Zoom. Also Blackboard Collaborate, which, at the moment, is being used by institutions such as the Complutense University. It allows interactive videoconferences in which the teacher can use many resources. 3. Messaging applications have gained importance in recent months. Among those that offer the most functionalities, Telegram stands out. The tool is being used by many Spanish institutes and schools as a means through which to share information with parents. Your groups can reach 100,000 participants. It also houses numerous channels for education. 4. Gamification, or the art of learning by playing video games, has been gaining momentum in recent years. Among the most outstanding platforms is Classcraft, a role-playing game designed for Secondary students to learn while having fun. In this case, the teacher can direct the development of the experience and adapt it to the lessons they want to share. 5. Education does not end in the classroom. The App Store and Google Play Store host ideal platforms to reinforce subjects. Like Duolingo, for the study of languages, or King of Mathematics, to improve the handling of numbers. There are also tools that help the organization work, such as My Study Life, or put down the mobile while doing homework, like Forest. 6. Many teachers saw on video platforms, such as YouTube, a tool through which to share their lessons. This is the case of channels such as The Cradle of Halicarnassus or History Lessons, ideal for those who choke on ephemeris, or Aprendemania, where useful advice is given to teachers on the use of new technologies in education as well as on Mathematics. .



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