Online Engagement Tools (Education Technology)
For UH Hilo distance learning software and issues, see the UH Hilo Distance Learning Team website or email us at uhhilodl@hawaii.edu.
Are you teaching online? It's all about engagement. Simply loading your Laulima site with a ton of information won't provide an effective way for your students to interact with you. Interaction is the key. Students will engage if they feel that a real live person is responding to them, whether you or another student. Below are a few tools designed to improve student engagement and retention.
Recommended Applications (UH Hilo Campus Licensed)
- Mac OSX - Preserves web links in converted documents
- Conversion to PDF
- Editing capability
- Form creation
- Available to faculty and current students
- Up to date accessibility tool
- Online collaboration
- Access anytime on any device
Screencast-O-Matic (SOM)
Screencast-O-Matic (SOM) Premier is screen capturing software.
- Best for creating short videos and modules
- Real time screen capturing
- Video editing
- Auto closed captioning
- Best for hosting videos
- Easy to use
- Accessible on most devices
- Auto captioning
- Auto resolution scaling to the end user's device (Desktop, tablet, and mobile devices)
- Does not require specialized video codecs or software
- Best for lectures and student presentations
- Creates interactive (2-way), asynchronous (recorded), PowerPoint like presentations
- No screen capturing; requires complete videos, PowerPoints, Word, Photos, etc.
- Videos created in Screencast-O-Matic (screen captures) can be uploaded
- Auto closed captioning
- Best for synchronous (live) lessons
- Works on Mac, PC, iOS, and Android
Augusta ADA Solutions
Augusta ADA Solutions offers automatic closed captioning software.
- Best for generating downloadable text captions
- Recommended for creating transcripts for audio files
- Not recommended for captioning videos
Other Applications
FlipGrid
Video discussion platform
FlipGrid is a video discussion platform that allows students to record themselves on video, watch, and respond to classmates. Each class has its own account, which may be open or locked.
- Great for discussions and groups
- Responses can consist of text, images, video, Giphys, emojis, or attachments
- Easy to use
Padlet
Discussion platform
Padlet is an online virtual "bulletin board" where faculty and students can collaborate, reflect, share links, and pictures in a secure location.
- Great for collaboration
- Virtual "post-it" format
- Student presentation alternative
- Fun alternative to a discussion activity
Kahoot
Assessment and Quiz Tool
Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that makes it easy to create, share, and play learning games or trivia quizzes in minutes.
- Great for formal assessments
- Excellent for increasing student participation
- Exciting and Fun!
Lucidcharts
Diagramming tool
Lucidcharts is a visual workspace that combines diagramming, data visualization, collaboration, and mind mapping to accelerate understanding and drive innovation.
- Great for explaining complex concepts
- Process mapping
- Brainstorming with mind maps
- Real-time collaboration
- Whiteboarding
- Data visualization
Microsoft Whiteboard
Virtual Smartboard
Microsoft Whiteboard is an application designed to allow people to collaborate by drawing and refining ideas on a digital canvas (board).
- Great for explaining formulas, equations, and diagrams
- Virtual smartboard
- Handwritten annotations and notes
- Real-time collaboration
- Recommendation: Capture lessons with Screencast-O-Matic Premier