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What Equipment Do I Need for My Online Classes?
It’s significant to stay informed during your transition to online classes every step of the way. After studying how to apply for online schools, selecting the ideal online program to pursue, and securing your classes, you are required to know what equipment and materials will help you be the most successful online student.
Getting prepared for online programs is a different process than planning for a return to traditional schools. No requirement for computer bags or backpacks; save your money for the stuff you’ll actually need. The equipment that most online students require to ensure they have before the start of classes is mostly electronic or computer technology.
Online classes are student-centered, meaning that instructors serve mostly as guides through the course material. It needs concentration, ambition, and most importantly, a calm, organized space precisely designated for your studies. It is perfect if you have an extra room that you can turn into a reading home, but if this is not possible, just having an area of your home that can be devoted only to your online coursework is the next best thing.
When reading course materials or learning, some learners prefer to have complete silence, while others like to play music or have some other background noise to stimulate their brains. Irrespective of your personal preference, it is best to have a clean, well-lit environment. Perhaps you have a family that demands a lot of your attention or an unruly pet that nips at your feet every opportunity it gets. In this instance, taking a short trip down to the bookstore, library, or local coffee shop with wireless internet access may be your outlet to a peaceful workspace.
Prior to the first day of classes, take the time to ensure that your computer has the proper specifications and is equipped with the needed software and devices. You ought to have received a list of computer requirements from school.
A computer which was manufactured within the last three years should be able to handle your virtual school course.
Common specifications that are typically required for your online classes are:
- MicroSoft Office 2004 or higher, or some other word processor
- Free Web browser with plug-ins
- Windows 98 or better/ Mac OSX 10.4 or higher
- 512 MB RAM
- 20 GB hard drive
- Sound card
Many online programs involve live video chats, watching pre-recorded videos, or listening to audio lectures. Having a CD player, TV, webcam, and DVD player may come in handy. All classes will be writing intensive because many online courses have limited outlets for oral communication, so having a dictionary or thesaurus at handy or bookmarking one on your web browser will be significant.
Other things you need for online classes include;
Earbuds or Earphones
When you are listening to a lecture, the people around you perhaps won’t want to hear it, whether you are at home, in a library, or at a coffee shop. Getting a set of earphones or earbuds will help ensure you do not disturb those around you and can also drown out outside noise to minimize interruptions.
Printer Paper and Printer
Although many assignments can be submitted online, you may want to print items for your records or to access them offline. Printing a syllabus for every course and keeping it within easy reach also assists with the organization.
Traditional School Supplies
A lot of your work will be done on the computer, but you will still require items like pens, pencils, highlighters, notebook paper, and binders on hand. Depending on the courses you pursue, you may also need to buy textbooks and supplemental texts.
A Calendar
Keeping track of daily homework and ongoing deadlines throughout the semester is crucial to your online learning success. An online or old-school paper calendar will assist you in making sure that nothing slips through the cracks.
How to Select the Appropriate Digital Learning Device
Selecting the right digital learning device can be complicated. As more schools go one-to-one, offering each student a computer or tablet, they are faced with the difficult choice of choosing one device that will work for all purposes. It can be challenging to find a tough enough device to withstand everything learners will throw at it, is easy to carry around, and can do everything instructors and students need it to do.
Eventually, there is no one right digital learning device for every school. But there are some basic guidelines that schools can follow to help them select the correct digital learning device for their requirements.
Elementary Schools (K-5)
The greatest challenge for elementary schools is finding a device that will stand up to everything a Kindergartener might do. Even the best-behaved young teens are prone to dropping and breaking things.
There are tablets made specifically for teens, but they are not perfect. Many of these teen-friendly tablets are limited in functionality. They may come with only a select few applications and have less than optimal processing power and speed.
Most elementary teachers prefer to simply get a tablet with a case that can withstand being dropped and thrown around. Otter box cases are common among teachers and are not only drop-proof but also water-resistant.
Another concern with younger learners is usability. Windows tablets or Laptops may have too many options. Learners can easily change settings they should not or have trouble operating their device. iPads are common among elementary teachers for this reason. They are easier to use, and Apple products are well-known for being difficult to infect with viruses.
On the other hand, Apple products are also recognized for being costly. Public schools are on a tight budget, and an iPad for every student might not be feasible.
High Schools (6-12)
Learners in middle and high school have distinctly different requirements when it comes to choosing the right digital learning equipment. They require more powerful devices that can run a wider variety of programs. They are also less likely to break devices, although durability is still a concern.
High school learners are also learning more digital skills, such as animation, programming, and photo and video editing. It is significant to have equipment that can handle all of this and more. Nevertheless, big and bulky laptops can be difficult to manage and carry around. For this reason, all-in-one devices such as the Microsoft Surface or Google Chromebook are common in high schools. Also, these devices have the power of a computer but are slim and portable like a tablet.
Like iPads, nevertheless, all-in-one devices can be pricey. Laptops are a more affordable option. For the cost of a tablet, schools can obtain a laptop with significantly more processing power. If portability is not a concern, such as in a school where the devices will stay in one classroom instead of moving with students to each class, then laptops are a good option.
Whichever device you select, the important thing is how it’s utilized. Online learning devices work best when they allow learners to do things they could not do otherwise. This might mean working on digital literacy, creating digital art, or learning high-tech skills. Any device that a school buys for learners should enable them to do these things, not simply act as a high-tech way of doing similar old things educators have always done.
Schools must select the digital learning device that works best for their requirements and population. The right digital learning device can totally transform the way students learn, and educators teach.
What are the tools used in online classes?
The tools you need to prepare for the class are basically the same as those required to take a regular course. Some courses may require additional software such as Picasa or WordPress but we will inform you in advance and help with any difficulty. You can also take advantage of other Google tools like Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc… To make collaboration easier we strongly recommend using Slack to share information.
What do we get in a classroom?
What do students need for an online class? Each online class has different requirements for preparation, you must check the specific material required at the end of this article. The main requirement is a reliable Internet connection and a stable computer to be able to see videos clearly (Windows Vista or higher). We recommend using Chrome as a browser and headphones … although not mandatory! If you are facing any difficulty we will help throughout the course.
What does it take to participate in an online class?
Participation is a core component of all online courses. To participate, students send messages on Slack as they do in a traditional classroom and work collaboratively according to their group assignment. The goal of each course is common understanding of the material, so discussion promotes active learning. Students are required to complete weekly checklists sent via email with specific activities ranging from simple exercises to research questions that begin with an informal search on Google and end up with several higher-order questions. A student who has not completed this activity at least once per week may lose his place in class.