The world, as of right now, is in the middle of a pandemic. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, a lot of countries are now imposing quarantines and lockdowns. There are also social distancing guidelines that further prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Although there are strict rules to follow, life goes on.
Because of the guidelines set by WHO and governments all over the world, a lot of people are now required to stay indoors and avoid mass gatherings. Outdoor activities such as going to the gym, playing recreational sports, shopping, etc. have all been limited or stopped altogether. However, concerns are rising as to how students would continue going to schools with quarantine going on.
Thankfully, technology has gifted us with a lot of tools at hand. The new normal, as they say, includes the use of the internet, computers, and smartphones to conduct vital activities such as classes and other educational activities. However, you need more than just the tools mentioned above. Here are some more things you need:
PDF Bear
Most of the time, the materials used in online classes often come in PDFs. PDF or “portable document format” is a file extension commonly associated with infographics, pictures, and other documents.
And because this is the primary file type used, you’ll get a lot of PDFs in your folders. When you want everything organized, you’ll want to merge pdf and other file types. PDF Bear is one of the most reliable sites you can use to convert such files. With their easy interface, you just have to choose the right type and wait for it to finish. It’s that easy.
Google Docs and Microsoft Word
These two powerful writing tools will definitely help you in your learnings during the new normal. First off, Google Docs is free, and it’s one of the most reliable writing programs that most people use nowadays.
The only things you need are: create a valid google email account(supposing you don’t have one yet) and a stable internet connection to use Google Docs. Don’t worry if you’re planning to use Google Docs offline. You can adjust certain documents so you can edit them even if you don’t have an internet connection.
With MS Word or Microsoft Word, almost every PC has this program. Before Google Docs and any other writing software, Microsoft was and is still hailed as the best. With a ton of flexible options, you can’t go wrong when using this tool for your online classes. What’s more, you don’t need an internet connection to use MS Word.
Google Sheets
Speaking of Google Docs, another essential tool you’ll encounter is Google Sheets. It’s similar to Microsoft Excel and has lots of features as well. Most of the time, your proctors and teachers will share a sheet with you. From there, you can see which projects and assignments are assigned to you once classes start. Teachers will also use Google Sheets to monitor your grades and overall progress.
Grammarly
Since you’ll be writing a lot, you need to have proper grammar. With Grammarly, you can write down sentences in good grammar. Aside from grammar corrections, Grammarly can also help you monitor word density and tell you if you’re unintentionally repeating a word in your notes. The tool also offers accurate word and character counts, spelling corrections, and a thesaurus for all your needs.
Focus
Although you won’t find this in any app store, you need to focus on your classes. Elearning certainly has incredible potential in reaching out to people who want to learn. However, one of the drawbacks it has is that it can have a lot of distractions. Avoid unnecessary activities when participating in online classes to get the most out of your sessions.
Takeaway
Before the pandemic, a lot of us had no limitations as to what we could do. However, since the pandemic has affected almost every country in the world, things are getting adjusted to become the new normal. With these, a lot of activities are affected, including classes. Along with the proper devices, the things mentioned above are perfect for those who are going for online courses.
