COVID-19 forced schools across Europe to move online almost overnight. Initial backup plans proved inadequate when Microsoft Teams went down, forcing instructors to improvise with unstable alternatives like Skype. Both university and tutoring classes suffered from poor connectivity and technical failures.
What to Look For in a Tool
When selecting remote teaching software, the practical constraints matter most:
- Minimal or no setup requirements
- Screen sharing and whiteboard capabilities
- Free or accessible through educational programs
- Optional (not mandatory) video features
Tools That Work
YouTube - Private livestreams allow simple content delivery with comment-based questions. Interaction is limited, but the barrier to entry is nearly zero. OBS can enhance presentations by combining screen and camera feeds simultaneously.
Zoom - Business-focused, offers 45-minute free sessions for up to 100 participants. Requires software installation, but most people are now familiar with it.
Discord - Originally designed for gaming communities. Provides free screen sharing at 720p and supports 50 participants with video simultaneously. Surprisingly good for teaching.
Apple Keynote - Exclusively for the Apple ecosystem, supporting up to 100 viewers through web browsers or native apps without requiring iCloud accounts.
What NOT to Use
Do not self-host your own infrastructure. Universities that tried this experienced catastrophic failures under real user loads. When systems crashed mid-session, debugging consumed valuable instruction time while students bore the consequences.
If you’re serving more than five people, use an established platform.
Final Recommendations
- Prepare thoroughly in advance - test everything before the session
- Attend classes consistently; routine matters more online than in person
- Show patience with people experiencing new situations
- Maintain appropriate appearance on camera