Trying to keep your students interested and engaged during home learning can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are a variety of online sources that can take your digital classroom from ho-hum to fantastic! Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Google Chrome
Believe it or not, Google Chrome is one of the best resources out there, with over 160 extensions to enhance your digital classroom. There’s everything from the Alice Keller Classroom Split, which allows students to have their Google Classroom directions side-by-side with their work, to Action Story, a fun adventure game that improves reading comprehension. Take a look at this blog post to view all the extensions.
2. Google Arts and Culture
You may not be able to go on an actual field trip, but why not do one virtually? Using Google Arts and Culture, you can visit famous museums and landmarks all over the world. Want to explore the Roman Colosseum or the Great Pyramid of Giza? How about taking a look inside the International Space Station? Google Arts and Culture has all that and more!
3. Screen Recorder
Using this handy tool, you can record lessons on your computer and then send them to students later for them to review. This is great for students who are absent or need more time to go over the material.
4. Virtual Whiteboard
This is a great tool to keep students engaged. Instead of simply talking to your students, you can draw pictures, write and even upload documents. Bonus points if you find a whiteboard, like this one, that is compatible with Zoom.
5. Zoom Backgrounds
Keep your students interested during Zoom lectures with a fun background. Change them with the seasons, or use customizable backgrounds to share funny or inspiring messages. You can find hundreds of free backgrounds online, so the sky’s the limit when it comes to options.
6. Ted Talks
Ted Talks are a great way to keep your students engaged while also fueling discussion. Check out this list of Ted Talks for kids that you can use in your next lesson plan.
7. Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a simple and free video discussion experience for educators. Create a discussion topic or pose a question and your students can respond with short videos. Very engaging and interactive!
8. EDpuzzle
Find a cool video on YouTube, Khan Academy or Crash Course and wish you could make it a part of your lesson? With EDpuzzle, now you can! You can pose questions to students during viewing, check their understanding, and also make sure they’re watching. The best part? It’s free!
9. YouTube Tutorials
Confused about how to navigate Google Classroom or how to best use Zoom for online learning? There are various simple, easy-to-follow tutorials you can find on YouTube:
2. Google Arts and Culture
4. Virtual Whiteboard 
6. Ted Talks
8. EDpuzzle
Don’t lose one second of learning to a water-logged laptop or cracked tablet.