Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1426376
The Gear You Need Level-up your virtual classroom with these tech tools By Terry Ng A C H I E V I N G T H E P E R F E C T online teaching setup can be hit or miss, as you've no doubt discovered this year. We recommend a few tools to help you improve your stream quality and expand your creativity — without breaking the bank. Level-up your Zoom or any live remote teaching setup so you can be fully in charge of your classroom environment. USB Microphone $36 Sound quality is one of the most important aspects of remote teach- ing. You can get by with lower video quality, but if your students can't hear you, they 'll tune out immediately. Help students hear your voice clearly with a high-quality computer microphone. amazon.com/dp/B06XCKGLTP Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam $99 Although it's the most expensive item on our list, this webcam kills two birds with one stone. Great video requires excellent optics but also requires excellent lighting. The Razer Kiyo Streaming Webcam includes a built-in ring light for flattering studio-like lighting and full HD capability. razer.com/razer-kiyo Govee LED Strip Lights $4 0 Get your Hollywood on! Add these color-changing light strips to your room to brighten up your teaching area and change the ambiance with the click of a button. govee.com/products/15/govee-wifi-rgb Sceptre 20" LED Monitor $75 Adding a second monitor will make it easier for you to see your students and present your lessons at the same time. amazon.com/dp/B07743412C Neewer 6x9 feet Green Screen $17 A green screen creates a multitude of opportunities to record and stream with different backgrounds, adding opportunities for creativity every day. amazon.com/dp/B00SR28V4A Occffy Blue Light Filter Computer Glasses $20 Mitigating eye strain associated with hours of screen time can lead to better sleep at night and help with dry eyes and headaches. A 2017 study done by the University of Houston found that participants who wore the glasses showed about a 58 percent increase in their nighttime melatonin levels. amazon.com/dp/B07RP6CG9G 47 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 / J A N U A R Y 2 0 21 Teaching & Learning T E C H T I P S