A page with resources that may be useful to volunteers offering online tutoring to students during the current lockdown conditions.

Resources for Parents

Video chat/meeting platform options


Resources for Parents

 

Odyssey Theatre

Bugs and beasts come to life in two creative online workshops for youth!

Details here: Odyssey Theatre Puppet and Mask Making Workshops

 

CBC Teaching Guides

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/topic/Tag/teachingguides

 

CHEO Resources

Family Resources for Families During COVID-19 (wide range of health, education, legal and financial resources):

https://ash-acs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/CHEO-FAMILY-RESOURCES-COVID_07-5-2020_v4.pdf

Guidance for children returning to school or day care – during COVID-19 pandemic

https://ash-acs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Guidance-for-children-returning-to-school-during-COVID.pdf

 

Resource List from City of Ottawa

List of Online Educational Supports compiled by City of Ottawa, see page 2 of the PDF here:

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/resources/Documents/COVID-19-Resource-List_-Dated-April-3.2020EN_new.pdf

 

Ottawa Public Library: Tumble Books Library

Collection of online books created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books from major children’s book publishers and designed to develop a love of reading in children.  The books can be read by parents to their children or read by a child.  Games, quizzes and other activities are included to help develop reading skills.  TumbleBookLibrary can be used in English, French and Spanish. Users must have a library card.

https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/resources/tumblebook-library

 

Caribu Books

A video – calling app integrating children’s books and activities.

The Caribu app is available for phones and tablets through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Users simply download the app, sign up for a free account, and send family members an invitation to join Caribu Contacts. Caribu works just like FaceTime or Skype – tap on the green Family button and then on a contact’s name to start a call. Users can browse the in-app library to begin reading and drawing together while seeing and hearing each other through video. Free until May 24, 2020.

https://caribu.com/

 

From GNAG – Glebe Neighbourhood Activity Group

GNAG has an extensive list of online educational resources for kids, including the Canadian Museum of Nature, PBS Kids, Virtual Field Trips and many others. Just click on the link

https://gnag.ca/covid-19-updates-and-activities/

 

From the Sandy Hill Community Centre

Our Department just launched our virtual recreation center on our departmental Facebook accounts, helping residents nurture their minds, bodies and souls. Be sure to follow our accounts and like and share the content! 

Facebook.com/OttawaRecCulture 
Facebook.com/LoisirsCultureOttawa

 

Online Language Learning

Learn a language for free

https://www.duolingo.com/

 

Khan Academy

a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere

https://www.khanacademy.org/

 


Video chat/meeting platform options

Information as of 30-Apr-2020

Google Hangouts
https://hangouts.google.com/

·         Free

·         Need a Google account to start a call, but you can join one without it.

·         Can invite up to 150 people to a Google Hangouts chat, but only up to 25 can join a video call at once.

·         App for iOS or Android, web browser, Chrome extension, or through your Gmail account.

Zoom
https://zoom.us/

·         Free plan that hosts up to 100 participants.

·         Need a Zoom account (you can either manually create an account with an email or sign in with Google or Facebook).

·         App works for Android, iOS, PC and Mac.

·         To sign up with Zoom you can either manually create an account with an email or sign in with Google or Facebook.

·         Zoom has been criticized for security flaws that may affect the privacy of your call, click here for more information from cnet.com.

Skype
https://www.skype.com/en/

·         Free, supports up to 50 people on video and audio calls.

·         Available for iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.

·         Option for one-click meeting creation without sign-ups or downloads.

Jitsi Meet
https://jitsi.org/jitsi-meet/

·         Free.

·         No account or download needed, create meeting from desktop then invite participants.

Webex
https://www.webex.com/

·         Free plan available, up to 100 participants in each meeting, meet as long as you want 50 minute limit effective 1 July 2020 for free plan. Can call in for audio (regular phone) call in not offered in free plan effective 1 July as well as use computer. Free plan upgraded, may not retain all features in future.

·         Desktop, application, file & whiteboard sharing.

 

General info for video calls

·         Your call may not be secure, if this is a concern make sure you understand the privacy settings for the platform you choose and set them to protect your information. Many platforms allow recording of the meeting as well.

·         A plain background behind you (in a location where other people are not in view) is least distracting if you can arrange it. Make sure your face is lit so the other caller(s) can see you. Try not to be backlit by a window, your face will be in dark shadow.

·         Most platforms have a “raise your hand” feature to get attention if there are many people in the meeting.

·         Most platforms have a built in message function that lets you send a text to another participant within the call.

·         You can usually display documents from your computer on the screen if you need to show them to the other callers.

·         You can usually change the layout of your screen so that you can see everyone on the call in individual tiles, look for the control on your platform of choice.

·         If you use the microphone in your computer make sure you speak close enough to be clearly heard – or use a headset or earbuds with a microphone if you have them.