The 5 best Edtech tools for remote learning

If you (or your company or institution) are in the education sector and you are looking for new Edtech tools to implement in your remote educational programs, you are in luck; we have prepared a post exclusively for you: here we have listed the 5 best Edtech tools for remote learning.

But first of all, it is essential to keep in mind that the best Edtech tools depend on the type of learning and the individual needs of each student.

That’s why the tech proposals we will leave you in this post are easily applicable to any distance education, whether academic (secondary, higher, etc.) or for employees of a company (training, certificates, etc.). These are the 5 best Edtech tools for remote learning.

The best Edtech tool for remote learning: Moodle

You probably already know or are using it now. Moodle is an Open Source LMS system providing a virtual remote learning ecosystem. 

The tool was developed by Martin Dougiamas, a professor of Computer Science at the University of Perth, and was first released in 2001. 

Moodle offers a wide range of tools for creating and managing a digital ecosystem to deliver online courses. This system will allow you to create and share content and resources, conduct online activities and assessments, and enable communication and collaboration between students and teachers.

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Why do we recommend Moodle?

Because it is a free and open-source system that can be adapted entirely to your organization’s needs. In addition, its simple plug-in system allows you to extend and complement the experience through integrations.

For example, this LMS allows you to install additional tools, such as proctoring systems, quickly and in a few minutes.

Are there any alternatives to Moodle?

Of course. There are different alternatives to Moodle, such as Canvas, Open LMS, Blackboard, and D2L. They can perform the same functions (and even some others) with the same reliability.

The best Edtech tool for creating content: Canva

Canva is an online tool used to create graphic designs. It offers various templates and visual elements that can be used to create content for social networks, presentations, invitations, business cards, and much more. 

In addition, it features cloud storage, so all your progress is saved in the tool itself. Taking a presentation with you is as simple as knowing the link and having a device with an internet connection. This is a benefit if we work in different places and with other devices since it will allow us to create a presentation in one place and continue it in another.

Why do we recommend Canva?

It is a free and easy-to-use tool, even if you have yet to gain experience in graphic design. In addition, it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. 

This way, you can generate content for your classes and online training, thus facilitating remote learning. 

Although it has various templates and graphic elements, the free version may not have all the options that some users would like. In any case, there is a paid version with more options and advanced features that can help trainers who need more knowledge of other tools, such as Photoshop or Illustrator.

Are there any alternatives to Canva?

With the popularization of Canva, very similar alternatives have emerged. Adobe has created Adobe Express, although there are also many other tools, such as Desygner or Picmonkey, in case Canva fails.

You can also go for classic options, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Prezi, which allows the creation of animated presentations.

The best Edtech tool for file storage: Google Drive

Another of the Edtech tools we highly recommend you for daily use is Google Drive, a  cloud file storage (and editing) tool.

Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows you to save and access your files from anywhere with an Internet connection. It also allows you to share your files with other people and work on them collaboratively. 

One of the main benefits of this tool is that if you have a Google account, you have Google Drive with 15 gigabytes of free storage. There are also payment options for more storage space.

Why do we recommend Google Drive?

Beyond its storage capacity, Google Drive has a wide range of tools and applications, such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which allow you to create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations quickly and free. 

In addition, as we have already mentioned with Canva, it allows you to access any of the files wherever you have a device with an Internet connection, facilitating remote education and hybrid work.

Are there any alternatives to Google Drive?

Although Google’s alternative is the dominant one in the market, there are many alternatives with their features and benefits. Some of the most popular options include:

• Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows you to easily save and share your files.
• Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage service that integrates with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365.
• iCloud: an Apple service that integrates with your devices and applications.
• Box is a cloud storage service that collaborates and integrates with other enterprise applications.

These are just a few examples, but many other options are available in the market.

The best Edtech tool for gamified learning: Kahoot

Kahoot is an online platform that allows users to create and play real-time quiz games.

In education, Kahoot is often used to make learning more fun and engaging, thus enhancing the benefits of gamification. 

On this platform, users can create their games using questions and answers they have made themselves or use games already created by other users. Games can be played online or in a face-to-face classroom, and users can compete against each other to see who gets the most points.

Why do we recommend Kahoot?

Those who like to play love the customization a tool like this gives. But there are other positive points. Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits of the device:

• Kahoot is flexible and can be adapted to various environments; for example, games can be played in an online virtual classroom or a physical classroom in a group.
• It offers a wide range of ready-made games, allowing students and teachers to start playing without starting from scratch.
• Users can share their games with other Kahoot users, encouraging collaboration and creativity.
• It is free to use in most cases, making it accessible to many more users.

Are there any alternatives to Kahoot?

There are a few alternatives to Kahoot: Quizlet, Socrative (which also allows evaluation within the tool itself), Quizizz, or Gimkit (which adds dynamism and strategy to the games).

The best Edtech tool for proctoring: SMOWL

Finally, we recommend that you proctor your remote assessment processes. Of all the Edtech tools, those related to exam security are the most important. And for this, there is no better tool than SMOWL. 

SMOWL allows you to ensure that the person evaluated in an online exam is the same person who has taken the course.

How? A webcam monitoring system collects evidence through images and audio so that evaluators can make the best decision. It can also help you monitor the open applications and processes being carried out by the learner on the device they are using to take the test.

Why do we recommend SMOWL?

There are hundreds of reasons why we can recommend a tool like SMOWL over others, but we want to highlight four:

1. SMOWL ensures privacy by strictly complying with GDPR and protecting user data on European AWS servers.
2. By capturing images instead of videos, SMOWL is compatible with slow connections and less Internet bandwidth.
3. A company or institution can save costs by not needing rooms, travel, or additional hiring for testing.
4. SMOWL contributes to a more sustainable world by avoiding physical printing documentation.

Are there any alternatives to SMOWL

There are some alternatives to SMOWL, but they are less comprehensive. To get an idea of its functionalities, we invite you to take a look at SMOWL products, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

In addition, you can enjoy a free demo to know in depth if this tool fits the needs of your institution.

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