www.makeuseof.com 8 Multimodal Learning Apps to Power Virtual Classrooms

In the world of crisis response, healthcare, and global challenges, educators across the globe have tapped into a series of immersive virtual learning environments (VLEs) as a more efficient alternative to their physical counterparts.

Some of the current trends are collaborative virtual classrooms where learners can contribute by participating in activities via their own devices. Smart displays such as flashcards, virtual whiteboards, and 3D content that help students learn effectively are also on the rise.

Let's take a closer look at some multi-modal learning apps that you can use in virtual classrooms or for learning on your own.

1. Quizlet: Flashcards for Better Memorization

Quizlet helps students and teachers collaborate and share information using different multi-modal strategies such as flashcards, diagrams, images, and audio uploads. The platform provides a variety of learning formats for students, including definitions, practice exams, and study sets.

As a study aid, Quizlet allows its users to create a set of terms and definitions that can be customized for effective memorization. Quizlet Plus users can access the Quizlet Learning Assistant to improve their study experience with customized learning paths and smart grading.

Related: What Are Online Learning Platforms and How Has the Pandemic Shaped Them?

The Premium Content offering is ideal for preparing for standardized tests or language certifications. Monthly subscriptions start from $3.99/per month per user for student accounts on Quizlet Plus. The Plus subscriptions for teacher accounts are billed annually.

In essence, the company aims to create a personalized study experience that students will love.

Download: Quizlet for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

2. ClassDojo: Behavioral Competency Mapping

Class Dojo is an online classroom management app that allows teachers to connect with students, parents, and educators in real-time. Its free-to-download, cloud-based features allow everyone to share, comment, and build learning communities.

Each student can be identified with a personalized cute avatar to add an element of fun. With ClassDojo, teachers can form groups, then send text messages, photos, voice notes, and stories right from their phones to efficiently communicate with parents about their child’s day.

They can also award digital points for positive classroom/student/group conduct and generate class reports to determine the behavioral competency of individuals and groups.

The optional premium subscription gives families access to additional features, such as Home Points and customizable rewards. Plus subscriptions start at $7.99 per month, with discounts for yearly payments.

Class Dojo is a great app for educators to keep track of students’ behavior, their academic progress, and more. Class Dojo has grown steadily to over 51 million users in 180 countries.

Download: Class Dojo for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

3. Live Whiteboard: Virtual Whiteboard Presentation Tool

This online platform provides each user with recording and sharing capabilities that are accessible from any time or place, allowing educators and learners to collaborate and learn effectively. Educators can create lessons using a variety of tools: PDFs, images, video, screen recording, and live virtual whiteboards.

The app offers free and premium subscription plans for individuals, tutor groups, and classroom groups. Plans start at $9.99 per month per user, with a 14-day trial.

Download: Live Whiteboard for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

4. Duolingo: Vocabulary Enhancement

Learning a foreign language can be daunting. Duolingo is an online platform that helps students and professionals learn grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation through bite-sized lessons. Currently, the platform offers 30+ languages.

Duolingo uses interactive techniques and digital voice assistants to guide you through its lessons. The platform also leverages an adaptive algorithm that adapts to your learning pace and available time.

Lessons are categorized into a variety of formats: fill-in-the-blank multiple-choice, translation (in either direction), hear-and-write, and mix-and-match.

The app has a free version as well as a premium subscription. With the Plus version starting at $6.99 per month, you can remove ads, enable error corrections through personalized lessons, and keep track of your overall progress better.

Download: Duolingo for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

5. Google Classroom: Collaborative Assignments and Grade Distribution

Google Classroom is a free online service that works as a simple collaboration and communication hub for educators. With it, you can organize classes, track assignments, and submit grades.

Members of a classroom can share files (docs, PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations), access assignments, create quizzes, and participate in real-time video conferences via Google Meet integrations. With web add-ons like Kami and Mote, teachers can provide feedback on student work via annotations and voice notes. Moreover, the platform offers Q&A and classroom polling features to keep learners engaged.

Google Classroom is aligned to the Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals platform. It offers a free plan for eligible institutions, as well as paid plans in Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Education Plus versions.

Download: Google Classroom for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

6. Kahoot!: Formative Assessments via Trivia Quizzes

Kahoot! is an ed-tech tool that offers live and self-paced game elements for interactive education and formative assessments. It has a library of games and puzzles across different topics that students can play to win points.

Students can practice lessons via interactive flashcards, quizzes. The app also lets them collaborate in a multiplayer setting by creating "challenges." You can also create or host "Kahoots," which are in interactive content such as polls, puzzles, and multiple-choice questions.

Instructors often use the platform to manage classroom response systems through gamified embedded quizzes, videos, images, or text.

Kahoot! has a free version, as well as a series of paid subscription versions. The premium versions for teachers and schools come in three tiers, offering advanced features such as personalized learning, formative assessment features, and lesson plans.

The personalized family subscriptions start at $6 per month per host.

Download: Kahoot! for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

7. CoSpaces Edu: 3D Experience for Student Creators

CoSpaces Edu is an educational virtual reality platform that allows students to create, share, and collaborate on immersive content. They have access to the CoSpaces Edu gallery to select 3D characters and items that can be animated.

It's a great way to help K-12 learners visualize core STEM concepts, scale models, and design in 3D. For a completely immersive environment, pair it with virtual reality apps such as Google Cardboard or MERGE Cube add-ons.

The platform helps educators guide learners through core curriculum content, with individualized learning pathways to ensure mastery of skills. Students can also learn critical 21st-century skills like creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and coding techniques.

Download: CoSpaces Edu for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

8. Matific: Game-Based Math Learning

Matific is a comprehensive math learning program designed to support teachers’ existing lesson plans and curriculum. Matific offers a collection of over 1,500 math games and activities for students from grades K-6.

The Matific Galaxy solution offers a range of interactive experiences: gamified activities or "episodes," workshops involving adaptive worksheets, and word problems that teachers can assign to specific groups or the entire class. Parents can receive accurate insights into the progress of their children via weekly updates.

Matific comes with a 7-day trial version for parent and teacher accounts. The school-wide licenses start at $12/year per student, while district-wide licenses start at $5/year per student.

Download: Matific for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

Technology Transforms the Delivery of Learning

Multimodal technologies have the potential to transform teaching practices within traditional and virtual classroom settings. The combination of video, audio, augmented reality, and gamified techniques can provide a richer learning experience than ever before, while also enabling teachers to produce content more efficiently.

With continuous innovation in the learning space, educators are poised to deliver more personalized experiences that push students toward effective learning and greater independence.

Some apps have an addictive quality. It might be the dopamine rush of gamification getting you to come back for more.

Cheryl is a Content creator and strategist with a focus in lifestyle, mobile applications, and digital media. She has reviewed tech products and applications for content, usability and accessibility. She works closely with individuals and businesses to design campaigns that connect brands with customers using the appropriate mix of words and visuals.

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