Best collaborative eLearning apps for virtual classrooms: A complete guide

It appears that with the rise in popularity of e-learning platforms, more students are opting for virtual education. Results are staggering with e-learning apps providing learners with effective learning experiences. Studies have also shown that virtual learning environments are tailor-made for millennials. Almost 86% of millennials are more apt to find value in learning experiences that are offered online.

This is further sealed by the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, which has resulted in school closures for more than 1.5 billion students, according to The Jerusalem Post. With the demand for virtual classrooms skyrocketing, eLearning is now on par with face-to-face learning. In this guide, I will share with you the top interactive e-learning apps, selected based on functionalities.

A Brief Introduction to eLearning Apps

E-learning is a term that describes the process of teaching and learning via an interactive digital platform. In a traditional classroom setting, most lessons are taught at a pace that is set by a teacher or lecturer. In eLearning, on the other hand, the pace of the lesson can be at the choice of the learner.

E-learning apps are online applications that provide interactive learning experiences to learners. They can be developed with the help of learning management systems (LMS) that are commonly found today in educational settings. The eLearning platform is now available as a mobile app, thanks to the advancement of mobile technology.

How Does an eLearning Mobile App Work?

An eLearning mobile app is similar to a regular web application. It is hosted on a server in the cloud, and users can access it from anywhere on their mobile devices. The three main components of an eLearning mobile app are:

Learning Management System (LMS)

The LMS is responsible for the delivery of content and learning analytics. The eLearning app stores content on the LMS, which is then available to learners through the app.

Content

The eLearning app is in charge of delivering content and learning activities. This content can be in the form of video lessons, quizzes, or any other type of content, as long as it is relevant to the subject taught. The app must also have an interface that allows learners to interact with the content.

Interaction

The eLearning app is also responsible for providing the learner opportunities to interact with the content. This can be done through quizzes, polls, chats, and other means, as long as it is aligned with the course curriculum.

List of eLearning Mobile Apps

Below are the eLearning mobile apps that are available for use in virtual classrooms. They provide a variety of features to learners, including collaboration.

Google Classroom

This is one of the most popular eLearning mobile apps currently available in the market. It serves as the central repository for all virtual learning materials. Learners can take online courses, access course materials, among other features.

Available as both a web and mobile app, Google Classroom provides a platform for teachers to monitor student’s progress and offer feedback. This app is accessible to those with Google accounts.

Lynda

With Lynda, learners can access video courses and learn from experts within the industry. The app offers courses from professional development to business, technology, and other topics. It allows users to create a profile, and connect with other like-minded learners. Learners can also create their courses through the app and share learning with their peers.

Udemy

Providing over 120,000 online courses, Udemy is a great option for online learning. It is possible to view, enrol, and access their courses on mobile devices. Plus, their interface is very user-friendly.

Although the app is free to download, you must pay to enrol in an online course. One interesting fact about this e-learning app is that you can access expensive courses for a fraction of their prices during bumper sales.

Khan Academy

The Khan Academy is another excellent mobile platform for online learning. It offers a wide array of online courses on topics such as economics, history, and even languages. Founded by Sal Khan, an entrepreneur, teacher, and hedge fund analyst, Khan Academy provides online learners with free courses, compared to Lynda and Udemy.

YouTube

You may not realize it, but YouTube is an excellent resource for learning everything from photography to cooking. Its ability to provide instant access to free video tutorials endears the app to over 1.5 billion online visitors.

In a few minutes, you can find a video that answers your questions, and by the end of the video, you would have learnt a great deal. Many people use the platform for their on-the-go learning.

Goodreads

Goodreads is a platform that allows its users to read, rate, and comment on the books they read. The idea behind the app is to create a library of books that you want to read, ranging from fiction to non-fiction.

Plus, Goodreads provides a great way to discuss books with other readers, which is why the app has over 80 million users. With the Goodreads app, you can read books, create book lists, and share your favourite books with friends and family.

Studybay Expert Homework

Are you struggling with math problems or find it difficult to complete your essays or sociology assignments? Studybay is one heck of a lifeline. According to a Studybay review, the mobile app brings quality solutions to your educational struggles.

You can share your assignments, get answers to specific questions, and receive feedback from Studybay’s community, which can be of much help. Moreover, Studybay is an excellent place to find study materials, as it is designed to help you with every aspect of your academic life.

Conclusion

Many eLearning mobile apps come in handy to improve your learning skills. Using these applications, you can become a better teacher or student. If you are interested in expanding your knowledge base, which of the above-listed apps would you like to try out? Kindly, share your thoughts.