This is what you need for your children to learn at a distance

As school districts across the country have closed their campuses, some for the remainder of the school year, many have begun trying out some forms of remote learning. With online teaching, children can still interact with their teachers and peers as they learn. Schools rely on services like Google Classroom or i-Ready to make homework easier and provide feedback on class work.

Of course, remote learning requires a computer to participate. But that doesn't mean that all parents should hurry up and buy the latest MacBook Air or a sleek Windows laptop. While those are definitely excellent tools for the job, they are expensive and really not necessary.

We have put together some tablets and Chromebooks that will help your children continue learning, without putting too much pressure on your checking account. We choose the following devices based on personal experience, pretests, and in some cases, such as the HP Chromebook 11, based on price and availability. We have also included the Raspberry Pi as an option. The small board is a complete computer and one of the cheapest configurations we can think of (we're potentially talking less than $ 100), but it does require a bit of effort on your part to get everything working.

Go for it.

Tablets

Apple 10.2-inch iPad ($ 329, amazon.com)

Apple's base iPad is more than enough for your kids' school work. With the recent addition of iPadOS mouse and trackpad support, the $ 329 tablet can be combined with a keyboard to make it a miniature computer.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8 ($ 169.99, amazon.com)

With an 8-inch screen, the Tab A doesn't have the largest screen area on the market, but it will get the job done. Run Android, giving you access to educational apps on the Play Store. You can use a micro SD card to expand its storage beyond the included 32GB. At a current price of $ 149.99, the Galaxy Tab A is a good alternative for someone who needs a device for remote learning.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 ($ 229.99, amazon.com)

For a little more expensive, but with a larger screen. At 10.1 inches, your child will have more room to work and won't feel as tight. Again, you can expand the 32GB storage base via a microSD card, in case you need additional space. With access to the Play Store and Chrome browser, you have access to most remote learning services and applications.

Chromebooks

Google Chromebooks are not complete computers, but they are very close. You get access to Google's Chrome browser and Android app catalog in the Play Store. They are also a widely used solution in schools. Better yet, Chromebooks are not expensive. These are some of our recommendations:

Chromebook Samsung 4+ ($ 289, amazon.com)

Samsung's Chromebook 4+ has a 15.6-inch screen and is powered by an Intel Celeron processor. It has 32 GB of built-in storage, with 4 GB of memory and a dedicated micro SD card reader. There is also a built-in webcam for Zoom calls or class meetings.

HP Chromebook 11 ($ 199.99, amazon.com)

For just under $ 200, you can get the HP Chromebook 11 from Newegg. It's probably not the fastest or most capable Chromebook you can find, but it's affordable. For $ 200, you get a Chromebook with 4GB of memory, 16GB of storage, with a dual-core processor. It has an 11.6-inch screen and an HDMI port so you can connect it to your TV. Order the HP Chromebook 11 for $ 199.99 at Newegg.

Raspberry Pi

It doesn't sound like much, but the Raspberry Pi is a small computer that's only slightly larger than a deck of cards. The benefit of a Raspberry Pi is that it is inexpensive, but powerful enough to run a full web browser so that your children can access educational services like Google Classroom.

Buying a Raspberry Pi is more complicated than buying a commercial tablet or Chromebook. But don't let that intimidate you. Think of it as a learning experience for you and your child.

You can buy the loose boards, but you will also need a micro SD card and a power supply, and we strongly recommend that you keep it in a case.

The Raspberry Pi 4 is the latest version, but that also means it may be the most expensive. The price varies according to the amount of memory chosen.

You can buy a Raspberry Pi 4 desktop kit, which includes everything you need, including the proper cables, power supply, keyboard, and mouse, for $ 120. Still, it is still quite affordable compared to a Chromebook.

If you assemble a Pi 4, keep in mind that you will need a micro HDMI to HDMI cable or adapter to connect it to your TV.

The $ 35 Raspberry Pi 3B + is more affordable. Its performance will not be as fast as the Pi 4, but it is more than adequate to complete class work.

And as an added bonus, the 3B + uses a standard HDMI connector, allowing you to connect it to a monitor or TV in your living room using a cable you probably already have. This CanaKit 3B + Starter Kit includes everything you need, including a micro SD card and setup guide, for $ 84.99.

You'll also need a keyboard and mouse, but any USB model will work. If you have an older keyboard and mouse stored in a closet, now is the time to dig them up. Otherwise, you can find a cheap combo pack like this Logitech Desktop MK120 combo for $ 15.99.

Just as the Raspberry Pi purchase process is more complicated than a normal computer, so is the initial setup. If you buy a kit that comes with a micro SD card with NOOBS installed, you just need to put the card in the Pi, connect a screen, a keyboard and a mouse to it, then turn it on and follow the prompts. You should install Raspbian Buster with Desktop when prompted.

However, if you compile a system from scratch, you will need to install the operating system on the micro SD card using your own computer. The process is simple: download and run the Raspberry Pi Imager on your computer. It will ask you to select the memory card you want to use and the operating system, which is Raspbian Buster with Desktop.

Once it's done, you can put the microSD card in the Raspberry Pi and power on. Follow the prompts to finish setting it up.

And yes, any old monitor that can connect to the Pi will work. We recommend visiting Amazon.com for a decent size (19-24 inch) affordable display.

Let's recap

You don't need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to enhance the e-learning experience. A tablet or Chromebook are two alternatives that will get the job done easily. And while a Raspberry Pi may seem a bit daunting, it can be a rewarding setup experience for you and your little student.

Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.