Top EdTech Tools for Remote Learning

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Introduction: The Rise of Remote Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption in education. At its peak, school closures affected over 1.6 billion students worldwideunesco.org. To keep learning going, educators rapidly turned to digital tools. Surveys show that nearly 94% of teachers used technology to communicate with students during lockdownsglginsights.com. This global shift highlighted the power of EdTech: online platforms, apps, and resources that support teaching from anywhereunesco.orgglginsights.com.

EdTech tools can help students learn anywhere, anytime. For example, UNESCO noted that many learners had no internet access at home (43% globally, 82% in sub-Saharan Africa)notesforshs.com. Mobile-friendly apps or offline content can reach those students. As internet access grows (from 16% of people in 2005 to 66% in 2022)gem-report-2023.unesco.org, more learners can tap into online resources. The key is choosing the right tools: video conferencing, learning management systems, interactive apps, and collaborative platforms to recreate the classroom digitally.

Why EdTech Matters for Remote Learning

Educational technology tools bring many benefits to remote learning. They boost student engagement, personalize lessons, and support collaboration. For instance, combining live video calls with interactive quizzes and games can keep students attentive and motivated. Studies show gamified activities can increase student motivation by up to 48%notesforshs.com. Tools also enable personalized learning: adaptive apps and quizzes adjust to each learner’s level. Instructors can track progress and tailor help using these platforms.

EdTech also helps close learning gaps. A report found that during the pandemic, many teachers used technology to share assignments and give quizzes onlineglginsights.com, glginsights.com. On such platforms, students discuss topics in forums, complete practice tests, or watch instructional videos. Research indicates online study can improve retention by up to 60% compared to traditional lecturesnotesforshs.com. These tools make learning more interactive and tailored to each student’s needs.

Communication & Virtual Classroom Tools

Strong communication is the foundation of remote learning. These tools replicate the classroom’s face-to-face interaction:

• Zoom – A video conferencing platform known for its intuitive interface and easy setupnotesforshs.com. Key features include breakout rooms (for small-group discussions), polls, screen sharing, and virtual backgrounds. Teachers can divide the class into teams for activities or conduct live Q&A sessions. The free version allows 40-minute meetings (upgradable via education licenses)notesforshs.com.

• Microsoft Teams – Part of Microsoft 365, Teams offers video meetings with unlimited free meeting time for education, group chat channels, file storage (OneDrive), and integrated tools like OneNote and Plannernotesforshs.com. It includes built-in accessibility features (Immersive Reader) and threaded channels for ongoing projects. Institutions using Microsoft 365 often prefer Teams, since it combines video calls with document collaboration in one platformnotesforshs.com.

• Google Meet – Included with Google Workspace for Education, Meet provides secure video classes and integrates with Google Classroom. Features include live captions, easy joining links, and screen sharing. Teachers often use Meet for quick check-ins and guest lectures. For example, a science class might invite an expert to give a live demo via Meet, while students ask questions in real time.

• Edmodo (Class Messenger) – A free social-learning platform for K–12. Edmodo lets teachers create a secure virtual classroom where they can post assignments, quizzes, and polls. It feels like a private social network: students and teachers share updates and resources. In many countries (including Ghana), Edmodo is popular for its easy interface and built-in communication featuresnotesforshs.com.

• WhatsApp or Telegram Groups – In regions where bandwidth is limited, teachers often use messaging apps to send assignments and answer questions. While not a formal classroom tool, these platforms keep students connected. For example, a teacher might post daily math problems and have students reply with answers, enabling simple but effective communication.

These tools enable live lectures, discussions, and virtual office hours. Students can raise digital hands, type questions, or respond to polls, making class interactive. Establishing video-class norms (e.g. “mute when not speaking” or using chat respectfully) helps these sessions run smoothly.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Classroom Hubs

An LMS acts as a virtual classroom hub, organizing coursework, quizzes, and communication:

• Google Classroom – Widely used in secondary schoolsnotesforshs.com, Classroom is free for educators. It integrates with Google Docs, Drive, and other Google tools. Teachers post announcements, materials, and assignments; students submit work online. For example, a teacher can share a worksheet as a PDF and give students a Google Form quiz, all within Classroom. Its simplicity and integration with Google apps make it very popularnotesforshs.com.

• Canvas – A comprehensive LMS (common in universities and schools). Canvas supports modules for course content, discussion forums, and built-in quizzing. It allows rich media (videos, simulations) and tracks grades. Teachers can set calendar reminders for deadlines. Canvas provides an easy way for parents to view progress as well.

• Moodle – An open-source LMS used worldwide. Schools can host Moodle on their own servers, fully customizing courses. It offers features like forums, assignments, and quizzes. Moodle’s flexibility and no-license cost appeal to resource-conscious institutions.

• Schoology – An LMS focused on K–12 education (now part of PowerSchool). It includes grading, attendance, discussion, and assessment tools. Teachers use Schoology to create interactive lessons and manage class resources.

• WhatsApp Groups (as LMS substitute) – When formal LMS access is limited, many teachers rely on WhatsApp or Telegram. Assignments, PDFs, and recordings are sent through group chats. For example, some Ghanaian schools used WhatsApp to distribute notes and updates when schools were closed.

• Remind or ClassDojo – Messaging apps designed for school communication. They let teachers send announcements to students and parents via text. Remind, for instance, allows one-way messages so teachers can keep families informed without exchanging personal contact info.

Using an LMS centralizes learning: students log in to find every assignment and resource. Teachers save time managing papers and can easily track who has submitted work. Importantly, LMS platforms support asynchronous learning – students can work at their own pace and receive feedback online.

Content & Course Platforms

Many EdTech platforms offer lessons and courses that supplement classroom learning or teach new skills:

• Khan Academy – A free platform with video lessons and exercises, mainly in math, science, and economics. It now serves over 150 million learners worldwideannualreport.khanacademy.org. SHS students can use Khan Academy to review challenging topics. For example, a student struggling with algebra can watch guided tutorials and practice problems until she masters the concept.

• Coursera & edX (MOOCs) – These are Massive Open Online Course providers featuring university-level content. Both allow free audit of courses (video lectures and quizzes at no cost), with optional certificates for a feenotesforshs.com. They even offer courses aimed at high school learners (for instance, AP exam prep or introduction to robotics). Many SHS students take Coursera/edX courses to explore interests or get a head start on college materialnotesforshs.com.

• Alison – A free online course platform that grants certificates. Alison boasts 45 million+ learners and provides free digital certificates for completed coursesnotesforshs.com. It covers practical topics from computer skills to language learning. Every Alison course is completely free; SHS students might use it to earn credentials in computer programming or English to enhance their resumes.

• Duolingo – A gamified language app. Duolingo had 20 million daily active users in 2023gem-report-2023.unesco.org. It offers bite-sized lessons in many languages, using points, streaks, and rewards to motivate learners. A teenager learning French or Spanish might do a quick Duolingo lesson each day as homework.

• Quizlet – A study app focused on flashcards and practice tests. Students can create or use sets of flashcards on any topic. Quizlet’s live game modes (like Quizlet Live) turn studying into a competitive team game. Many SHS students rely on Quizlet to memorize vocabulary, formulas, or historical dates.

• Educational Videos & Podcasts – Channels like CrashCourse, TED-Ed, or National Geographic Kids offer high-quality educational videos. While not interactive tools per se, they enrich learning. For example, a biology class might watch a CrashCourse video on cell division, pausing for quizzes built into the video.

• Coding and STEM Platforms – Sites like Code.org or Scratch (for programming) engage learners in computer science. Science classes might use PhET simulations (from Colorado University) to explore physics experiments online.

Using these platforms, students learn new content on demand. An SHS student can supplement classes with a MOOC, or practice skills on Khan Academy. This empowers lifelong learning beyond the school curriculum.

Collaboration & Productivity Tools

Remote learning also involves teamwork and productivity. These tools help students (and teachers) collaborate:

• Google Workspace (Docs, Slides, Sheets) – Part of Classroom. Students can work together on documents or presentations in real time. For a group project, team members edit one Google Doc simultaneously and leave comments. Teachers can track each student’s contributions via version history.

• Microsoft 365 (Word Online, PowerPoint Online, Excel Online) – Similar to Google’s suite but integrated with Teams. Students can co-author papers or slide decks. For example, an environmental science group might use a shared Excel Online sheet to analyze data, then present findings in PowerPoint Online.

• Padlet – A virtual corkboard. Students and teachers post text, images, links, or drawings on a shared board. It’s perfect for brainstorming or exit tickets. A teacher might ask, “What did you learn today?” and students drop notes on Padlet that everyone can see and respond to.

• Jamboard / Miro – Online whiteboards. Google Jamboard or Miro allow freehand drawing, sticky notes, and templates. Teachers use them for concept mapping or quick polls. For instance, a history teacher might have students place events on a timeline together on Jamboard.

• Trello / Asana – Task management apps. They aren’t education-specific, but great for organizing projects. Students can list tasks on Trello boards (like “Research topic” or “Create slideshow”) and move cards as tasks complete. This is especially useful for group projects.

• Discord or Slack – Chat platforms that some classes use for group work. Discord offers voice channels and text chat; Slack integrates with many productivity apps. (If allowed by school policy, these can create a community feel with separate channels for subjects or clubs.)

• Dropbox Paper or OneNote – Notebooks that combine text, images, and media. Dropbox Paper lets students co-author notes and embed videos. OneNote (especially in the Microsoft suite) is great for digital notebooks with sections. These tools are handy for collaborative note-taking or ongoing reference.

Many of the tools above have free versions. For example, Slack and Trello offer no-cost plans sufficient for small groups. Google Docs and OneDrive are free with accounts. These collaboration tools help students work on projects together, even when apart.

Engagement and Gamification Tools

Keeping students motivated at a distance is challenging. Gamified apps and interactive platforms can help:

• Kahoot! – A game-based quiz platform. Teachers create multiple-choice quizzes (“kahoots”) and students answer on their own devices in real time. Correct answers score points on a leaderboard. The competitive element makes reviewing material fun. Kahoot! offers a free Basic plan that supports live quizzes.

• Quizizz – Similar to Kahoot!, but with self-paced quizzes. Students can join a live game or do homework on their own schedule. Quizizz shows memes after each question for humor. The free version includes thousands of public quizzes.

• Flip (Flipgrid) – A video discussion platform. Teachers post a prompt and students record short videos in response. This is a powerful engagement tool: for example, in a language class, students might record themselves speaking a sentence in Spanish, allowing everyone to hear each other’s voices.

• Nearpod – An interactive lesson tool. Teachers upload a slide deck and embed quizzes, polls, and even 3D objects. During a lesson, students log in to follow along. For example, a teacher can pause for a quick poll or have students explore a virtual 3D cell during a biology lesson.

• Classcraft / ClassDojo – Classroom management games. These assign points to students for positive behaviors or achievements. Over time, students see avatars level up or earn badges. Classcraft and ClassDojo both have free versions for teachers to encourage participation.

• Coding/Logic Games – Websites like CodeCombat or Photon (robotics puzzles) teach programming as games. They add a gamified twist to STEM subjects.

Engaging with these tools often raises energy and attention. Indeed, research shows that adding game elements can significantly boost motivationnotesforshs.com. Many of the tools above can be used free: Kahoot! Basic and Quizizz free tier, Flip free for schools, and Dojo basic accounts.

Supplemental and Support Tools

Beyond core platforms, several other tools aid the remote learning routine:

• Digital Note-Taking Apps – Tools like Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, or Notion let students keep organized notes. They can type or handwrite with a tablet. OneNote, for instance, works across devices so a student can take a snapshot of a textbook page on phone and annotate it.

• Cloud Storage – Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive ensure student work is backed up. Students never lose homework because it’s stored online. Both give free storage with student accounts.

• Focus and Time-Management Apps – Staying disciplined is crucial. Apps like Forest or Pomodone encourage focus. For example, when a student starts a study session, Forest grows a virtual tree that only lives as long as the student stays off their phone. These apps gamify productivity.

• Calendar/Planner – Google Calendar or Todoist help students schedule study blocks and deadlines. Teachers or students can add reminders for exams or project due dates, ensuring nothing is missed.

• Parent Communication Apps – Tools like Remind or ClassDojo allow teachers to send announcements to parents. Keeping parents informed helps them support their children’s remote learning at home.

• Accessibility Features – Many platforms have built-in accommodations. For example, Zoom and Meet have live captioning for hearing support. Microsoft’s Immersive Reader (in Teams or Word) can read text aloud and highlight parts of speech, helping struggling readers. Providing multiple formats (text transcripts, videos with captions) ensures all learners are includednotesforshs.com.

These supplemental tools support organization, focus, and inclusivity, making remote learning more effective for all students.

Implementing EdTech: A Step-by-Step Guide

To effectively use these tools, schools and students should plan carefully:

• Identify Goals & Check Access – First, decide why you need each toolnotesforshs.com. Is it for live lectures, quizzes, or collaborative projects? Then survey what devices and internet access students have. Ensure that selected tools are compatible (e.g., mobile-friendly) or have offline options for low-connectivity learnersnotesforshs.com.

• Set Up and Test Platforms – Teachers should create accounts on chosen platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, Canvas). Pre-load key materials (syllabus, guidelines) if possible. Conduct a brief tech orientation: have everyone join a 10–15 minute test video call to check audio, video, and try out a submission (like turning in a simple quiz)notesforshs.com. This avoids issues in real class time.

• Establish Norms and Channels – Define online etiquette and communication methodsnotesforshs.com. For example, post rules like “stay muted when not speaking” or “use respectful language in chats.” Choose how to share announcements (email vs. a classroom app). Schedule regular check-ins or office hours so students know when help is availablenotesforshs.com.

• Launch Interactive Activities – Start with engaging, low-stakes tasks. Ice-breakers on Padlet or Google Jamboard help students warm up. Use breakout rooms for small-group work, assigning roles (note-taker, researcher) and a task (like analyzing a case study in a Google Doc)notesforshs.com. This helps students practice using the tools and builds routine.

• Monitor and Adjust – Use built-in analytics to see who is participatingnotesforshs.com. For example, check an LMS report to see who hasn’t submitted assignments. Incorporate quick formative checks (e.g., a Kahoot! mid-lesson) to gauge understanding. Offer timely feedback – comment on a shared document or hold a quick one-on-one video chat if a student struggles. Based on observations, adjust pacing or tools for the next sessionnotesforshs.com.

Following these steps—planning, testing, launching, and reflecting—helps ensure technology truly enhances learning, rather than creating confusion.

Global Examples and Local Context

Around the world, educators combine global and local EdTech solutions. For instance, Ghana has developed homegrown platforms: the Kumasi Institute of Technology’s KIT E-Learning offers video lessons and practice exams aligned to the SHS curriculumnotesforshs.com. The Ghana Education Service also provides an official portal with curriculum resources and exam informationnotesforshs.com. These Ghana-specific tools complement international platforms like Google Classroom or Coursera, creating a blended ecosystem of learning. In other regions, governments and communities deploy similar solutions (for example, radio lessons or TV channels) to reach students without internet.

The bottom line: educators pick tools that suit their context. By mixing proven global tools (Zoom, Khan Academy) with local initiatives, countries ensure more students can benefit from remote learning.

Conclusion

Remote learning does not have to mean losing educational quality. With the right EdTech tools, teachers can deliver interactive, high-quality instruction outside the physical classroom. From synchronous platforms (Zoom, Teams, Meet) to robust LMS sites (Google Classroom, Canvas) and engaging content apps (Kahoot!, Khan Academy), the technology exists to replicate and even enhance the learning experience. The key is thoughtful integration: choosing tools aligned to objectives, ensuring access, and providing support. As connectivity and device access continue to grow worldwide, these EdTech solutions will only become more powerful and widespread. In the meantime, teachers, students, and parents can use these tools to keep education vibrant, whether in Accra, Atlanta, or anywhere learning happens.

Author: Dr. Ama Asante, Ph.D., Education Technology Specialist and EdTech Consultant.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What technology is used in remote learning?

Remote learning uses video conferencing (Zoom, Teams), learning management systems (Moodle, Canvas), collaboration suites (Google Workspace, Office 365), interactive apps (Khan Academy, Coursera), and messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Slack).

Which technology is most commonly used to facilitate remote learning?

Video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet are the most common, as they enable live lectures, breakout rooms, polls, and screen sharing to mimic in-class interaction.

What is the best tool to teach online?

The “best” tool depends on needs, but Google Classroom is widely praised for its simplicity and integration with Docs/Drive, while Canvas offers rich features for higher education.

Which technology is best for distance education?

LMS platforms like Canvas and Moodle combined with video tools (Zoom) and content platforms (Coursera, edX) form a comprehensive solution for distance education.

Which tool is commonly used for online learning environments?

Learning management systems (Google Classroom, Canvas, Moodle) are the backbone of online environments, organizing courses, assignments, and communications.

What technology is used in remotes?

“Remotes” use infrared or radio signals in hardware; in education, the term is shorthand for remote learning technologies like LMS and video conferencing software.

How ICT is used in distance learning?

ICT (Information & Communication Technology) supports distance learning via email, messaging apps, web browsers, LMS platforms, e-books, and multimedia content delivery over the internet.

What is the most popular type of distance learning?

Asynchronous online courses (self-paced on platforms like Coursera or Khan Academy) are the most popular because they allow flexible scheduling.

Which country is best for distance learning?

Canada, the UK, and Australia rank highly for online education infrastructure and quality, with many globally recognized universities offering robust distance programs.

What are the distance education technologies?

Key technologies include LMS (Moodle, Blackboard), video platforms (Zoom, Teams), communication apps (WhatsApp, Slack), content repositories (YouTube, Khan Academy), and assessment tools (Quizizz, Kahoot!).

What are the tools for peer learning collaboration?

Tools like Google Docs, Microsoft OneNote, Padlet, Miro, and discussion forums (Canvas, Moodle) enable students to collaborate in real time on documents, whiteboards, and projects.

What are the five ways ICT can help in learning?

ICT enhances learning by (1) enabling access to resources, (2) supporting communication, (3) personalizing instruction, (4) facilitating assessment, and (5) fostering collaboration and creativity.

What are EdTech tools?

EdTech tools are digital applications and platforms—such as LMS, video conferencing, interactive apps, and collaboration suites—designed to support teaching and learning processes.

How do EdTech tools benefit remote students and teachers?

They enable interactive lessons, track student progress, provide instant feedback, facilitate communication, and allow access to diverse resources anytime, anywhere.

Are there free EdTech tools that students can use?

Yes—tools like Google Classroom, Khan Academy, Zoom (basic), Duolingo, Quizlet, and Coursera (audit) offer free tiers suitable for students and educators.

How do I choose the right EdTech tool?

Identify your goals, check device/bandwidth compatibility, compare costs and features, and pilot a tool with a small group before full adoption.

How can parents support children using these tools?

Parents can establish a routine, monitor usage, provide a quiet study space, learn basic troubleshooting, and maintain open communication with teachers.