Online Class/Virtual Classroom
In a traditional classroom, you often learn by listening, reading, writing, and doing other activities designed by your instructor. Online courses are different because you are not in the same location as your instructor or the other students. In fact, you probably will never meet your instructor or fellow students in person.
An online class is a course conducted over the Internet. They are generally conducted through a learning management system, in which students can view their course syllabus and academic progress, as well as communicate with fellow students and their course instructor.
Online education is electronically supported learning that relies on the Internet for teacher/student interaction and the distribution of class materials.”ZOOM
- Google Classroom
- ezTalks Webinar
- Fastmeeting
- WizIQ
- Udemy
- Articulate Storyline
A virtual classroom enables students to access quality teachers anywhere on the planet so long as they both have a reliable internet connection. This can break down most of the common barriers to synchronous learning: cost, distance and timing.
- Video conferencing ability (so teachers and students can see each other)
- Audio conferencing(so participants can hear each other)
- Real-time text chat
- Interactive online whiteboard (so users can interact on the same online page).
- Library of learning materials (essential for providing more structured lessons)
- Teacher tools and controls (just like in a physical classroom)
Imagine this: a working professional also happens to be a part-time student. They study at their home desk or favorite cafe , attend classes during a virtual classroom and have meetings with their mentor using the simplest virtual meeting tools. At the top of their course, they get a certification of educational accomplishment without having traveled to their university overseas or, indeed, having met any of their classmates and mentors offline.
This is the planet of distance learning.
Distance learning allows students to pursue academics while working employment or completing their personal schedules. It facilitates learning from home without the extra costs of accommodation and travel. this is often done through the utilization of virtual meeting platforms and virtual conference software that mimic face-to-face interactions, albeit digitally. Today, 85% of surveyed online students said that they found distance learning an equivalent as or maybe better than traditional classroom-based courses (source). the worldwide online education market is additionally projected to succeed in US$350 billion by 2025 (World Economic Forum).
These courses are more accommodative without compromising on the delivery and impact of education. While distance learning is conducted online, many traditional aspects of educational learning have only metamorphosed into a digital version to suit the stress of distance learning. The virtual classroom is one such feature.
What A Virtual Classroom Is And Why It Matters
Today’s virtual classrooms are online spaces that share some features of brick-and-mortar classrooms but different in other ways.
A virtual classroom environment ensures human connection, an important element of classroom teaching that video-on-demand courses don’t have and sorely miss. during a virtual classroom, teachers interact with students in real-time; students can voice their questions and interact with peers almost like how they might during a regular classroom, albeit over the web.
An additional perk of virtual classrooms is that they're scalable to accommodate a bigger number of scholars. Physical classrooms often limit seating to a maximum number in order that students can sit comfortably and have enough space to themselves. against this, virtual classrooms use virtual meeting solutions that have a better cap on numbers, allowing more students to attend interesting classes directly. this permits better and better participation rates and ensures knowledge is that far more accessible.
Like brick-and-mortar classrooms, virtual classrooms also are synchronous as learners and teachers appear online at an equivalent time to facilitate immediate interactions. However, virtual classrooms also make use of pre-recorded components like videos, presentations, and lecture slides to facilitate learning, very similar to offline classrooms do.
A virtual classroom includes subsequent features:
Video conferencing: using the simplest web conferencing software to facilitate learner-teacher-learner communication
Digital whiteboards: offering real-time demonstrations and diagrams
Instant messaging: allowing typed conversations on lower bandwidths
Participation controls: enabling students to participate in discussions, mute their surroundings or virtually “raise” their hands
Sub-chats: breakout rooms to facilitate collaboration between learners
Video recording: to save lots of live lectures as video-on-demand for later reference
End-to-end encryption: to make sure virtual classroom access is restricted to authorized learners
Types Of Virtual Classrooms That Are Learner-Friendly
Virtual classrooms are often tweaked counting on the utilization required of them. they'll feature as an add-on during a course or form the backbone of a whole course; either way, virtual classrooms are highly customizable.
Enriched virtual type
In this type, the bulk of the course is administered online, but a couple of offline components to reinforce lessons and curricula. These components are most popularly within the sort of face-to-face meetings with instructors or collaborative meetings with fellow learners over a critical assignment or thesis.
Rotation type
Often used as a part of the flipped classroom technique, rotation involves using both virtual and offline classrooms on rotation consistent with a schedule. In many cases, primary learning happens online, while in-person meetings happen for reinforcement and review.
Fully online type
As the name suggests, a totally online classroom doesn’t require or leave face-to-face offline interactions. These course types might be synchronous or asynchronous therein they use pre-recorded videos and minimal live interaction through online meeting software.
Flexible type
In this type, the virtual classroom remains open and available for college kids to access sometimes convenient to them. Otherwise, learning is inspired through small groups, with the virtual classroom forming an area to return to just in case of questions.
Mix-and-match type
As the name suggests, this model allows students to pick a way that works best for them, such they gain maximum knowledge. it's a mixture of digital teaching models and may either be student-led or institution-governed.
Why Virtual Classrooms Are Important For Democratizing Learning
Virtual classrooms level the playing field of education, allowing students from everywhere on the planet to access interesting classrooms no matter where they live or work. Virtual classrooms can supplement existing education structures or be used because of the main structure for imparting knowledge.
Virtual classrooms promote inclusive and democratic learning, and also help reduce the prices of highly coveted educational courses and certifications. And, seeing as how traditional classrooms have closed down across the planet for the foreseeable future, virtual classrooms and online virtual meeting platforms ensure education continues albeit online and reception.
“We need technology in every classroom and in every student and teacher’s hand because it's the pen and paper of our time, and it's the lens through which we experience much of our world.”– David Warlick
Advantages Of Virtual Classrooms Over Brick-And-Mortar Setups
High interactivity
An effective virtual classroom is one that creates use of multiple communication channels, like online virtual meeting software, chat rooms, messaging, voice calls, and conferencing options. this is often in order that learners with varying preferences are all ready to benefit equally.
Collaborative education
Digital whiteboards, file sharing, virtual meeting applications, and chats facilitate collaborative learning between students. This mimics the real-time atmosphere of classrooms without having to satisfy physically; it also reinforces materials learned in order that knowledge retention is higher.
Student-focused teaching
Virtual classrooms specialize in students and their real-time education, unlike pre-recorded videos which are highly teacher-centric. Students can ask questions, clarify concepts, and discuss topics in real-time.
Range of content types
Virtual classrooms make use of a spread of media types to present knowledge such a variety of student abilities and learning styles are catered to. These include videos, presentations, SlideShare, animations, digital whiteboards, and webinars.
Comfortable learning space
Virtual classrooms make learning online feel much less robotic. Human interaction is critical to the success of an education system; virtual classrooms ensure learners are ready to interact and chat with peers and teachers without compromise.
What to seem Out For during a Virtual Classroom To Facilitate Better Learning
Virtual classrooms and therefore the best virtual meeting software have essential features and people that are nice to possess . the previous may be a necessity, so here’s what to seem out for:
Real-time instant messaging
Every virtual classroom must have messaging features to accommodate lower bandwidths without destroying the potential for communication. Learners got to be ready to chat with their instructors and peers and clarify small doubts that don’t need video or voice calls.
High-quality video chat
This option perpetuates the sensation of human connection and ensures students are paid attention to. It are often implemented through a handy video conferencing app for iOS and Android.
Video streaming
This feature is important for classrooms hosting many students from everywhere the planet . Some virtual meeting solutions for enterprise are intended for smaller groups; a virtual classroom needs a way more powerful solution like video streaming.
Secure file sharing
An integrated two-way sharing system is critical for virtual classrooms. It allows for seamless collaboration and facilitates the sharing of assignments, reports, and projects on one single platform within the training environment.
Digital whiteboard
Digital whiteboards facilitate content display, marking, annotations, and more vivid explanations. These also can be employed by students who are presenting a project or a thesis to their class or a teacher . Digital whiteboards are best fitted to touchscreen devices.
Third-party integration
Some virtual classrooms may have to be augmented with additional features because not even the simplest video conferencing software has it all. Seamless third-party integration allows knowledge providers to leverage the prevailing system and expand its use for students’ benefits.
Student groups
A separate group for college kids allows for bonding over academic and non-academic subjects, which may be a key feature of traditional classrooms. They foster friendship and a collective appreciation; they also double up as a breakout room to debate classes, topics, and interesting concepts.
The Final Word
“The future are going to be about pairing the synthetic Intelligence of computers with the cognitive, social, and emotional capabilities of humans in order that we educate first-class humans, not second-class robots.” – OECD
Distance learning is gaining speed due to the present global crisis and changing demands in education. Technology may be a major factor both driving and being included during this change; the models of developing and delivering content are getting more nuanced, engaged, and personalized.
Virtual classrooms facilitate cross-border learning during a world where learning isn’t restricted to brick-and-mortar buildings, but call at the planet . The virtual classroom is another transformative tool during a digital educator’s arsenal and can still rise in popularity and use.
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