Tech, Tips & Tricks
7 Must-Haves for Teachers Taking on Distance Learning
This year has been interesting to say the least. As teachers and parents gear up for a truly unique school year, there are a lot of new distance learning items to consider, especially if you’re transitioning from in-person classes to virtual learning. If you’re a teacher gearing up for fall, here are seven must-have items to make the most of the school year from home.
1. The right webcam
A proper webcam is a must for any teacher shifting to virtual learning this year. There have been reports of webcam shortages as this item quickly became a back-to-school must-have for parents and teachers alike, but you can still order this reliable model from Logitech. It has a privacy screen that you can leverage when needed and offers crystal clear picture to ensure your lessons aren’t compromised.
2. A little something to light up the room
One virtual learning must-have that many have overlooked is proper lighting. As more of us have transitioned to work-from-home environments, we’re quickly learning the dynamics of a proper virtual setup and teachers will be no different this fall. The easiest solution is a lighting system like this one from Lamps Plus. It provides the right amount of light without blinding you or becoming overpowering and offers a USB port to charge your device. It can make all the difference for teachers who lack natural light in their homes.
Jett LED Desk Lamp with USB Port and Night Light
3. A supportive chair for ergonomic health
As many of us shifted to work-from-home setups, we quickly learned that ergonomics are truly important. The chair at your kitchen table or that old computer chair you sit in for a few hours at a time just can’t stand up to the demands of a full work day. That’s where a proper office chair comes in. There are hundreds of options out there, but we like this chair from Overstock for its simplicity, support and price. You should move quickly, though, because chairs could be the next item to become hard to find.
Costway Ergonomic Mesh High Back Chair
4. A sit-to-stand desk converter
As they say, “sitting is the new smoking,” and we’d agree. Standing desks are truly an investment, so if your budget can’t swing it, a sit-to-stand desk converter is the next best thing for your virtual learning setup. This adjustable one from Office Depot OfficeMax goes on top of your existing desk or table and provides enough space for a monitor and laptop.
FlexiSpot AlcoveRiser Sit-To-Stand Desk Converter
5. Reliable WiFi
When your classroom goes virtual, your basic, fickle internet won’t do. Upgrade to fast, reliable WiFi so you can always put your best foot forward for your students and prepare your lesson plans easily. You can find a few WiFi and home internet plans from reliable carriers with Cash Back from Rakuten, including AT&T and Xfinity.
6. Something to help prioritize self care
We’ve covered a lot of items you’ll need on the job as a teacher who’s shifting to virtual learning this fall, but we don’t want to lose sight of self-care. We know the upcoming school year will be stressful for a variety of reasons, so it’s important to take some time at the end of the day to decompress and relax. We love these acupressure mats from Gaiam for that reason. Spend just 10 to 15 minutes a day laying on the mat and you’ll release all the tension and stress from a long day in front of a screen.
7. An exercise tool to keep you in top shape
Exercise is another form of stress relief, and we don’t want to lose sight of how important it is to get in a daily workout whether you find yourself sitting all day or mixing it up with a standing desk. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a fancy piece of workout equipment either. A tool like TRX from Dick’s Sporting Goods is just what you need to keep active at home. It’s compact, affordable and allows you to get a full-body workout each day.
You can also try some of these workouts to get your heart rate going:
7 Workout Videos to Fit Every Schedule
5 Easy Ab Workouts You Can Do Standing
The Top-Rated Fitness Apps You Need to Get Yourself Moving and Stay That Way
Obviously, this is just the start of a proper work-from-home setup and there are plenty of additional items you might need. Everything on this list is available with Cash Back when you shop with Rakuten, so if you haven’t signed up yet, it only takes a few minutes to join. Start shopping smarter today.
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