There are tons and tons of materials out there to support distance learning, but simplicity and consistency will make it easier on our students. That being said, most of the tools below integrate directly into Google Classroom - so it widens what the students can do with just a click of a button.
If you want to… host a virtual class (and record it!)
Google Hangouts Meet, Google Chat, and Google Classroom
Google is offering free premium services until July 1 to facilitate large-group meetings on Google Hangouts
If you want to… assign videos to watch or webpages to read with an added accountability layer
These tools allow teachers to upload videos or use existing Youtube videos and then embed questions for students to answer as they watch
InsertLearning - similar concept, but with webpages instead of videos
BrainPop - school already has a subscription, students just need to sign in with their Gmail accounts
If you want to… film instructional videos
Make effortless videos with Screencastify
Add a whiteboard/workspace to your video using Sketch.io
Record a digital whiteboard with ExplainEverything
If you want to… facilitate online discussions or reflections
Use Chat with classes or small groups
Let students create video responses to prompts with Flipgrid
Discuss real-time with Backchannel Chat
Create a graded discussion board with MySA
And check out these resources for help grading those discussions!
If you want to… work collaboratively with students (or organize group projects)
If you want to… transform your existing materials into interactive, student-led lessons
If you want to… create a novel, gamified experience
BreakoutEDU at home!
Send home a Gimkit!
If you want to… encourage vocabulary practice
Use Quizlet to track student study time and build class leaderboards for a competitive edge
If you want to… simulate a lab
Virtual Labs - some free, some fee-based
ExploreLearning Gizmos - comes with a fee
If you want to… engage students with projects
Have them create virtual magazines or books with BookCreator
Or make digital comic books with Pixton!
If you want to… annotate Google Docs or PDFS - or have your students annotate
If you want to… give formative assessments