Picture this: a working professional is also studying part-time. They review their coursework at their favorite coffee shop or home desk and participate in virtual classroom sessions. They also schedule appointments with their mentor using reliable virtual meeting tools.
Once they complete their course, they’ll earn their certification without even traveling to their college or meeting their mentors and classmates in person. This is the distance learning era where scholars can achieve academic accomplishments without traveling or accommodation costs.
About 85% of scholars acknowledge that the learning method is similar to or even better than the classroom-based approach. But what are virtual classes, and how do they work?
What Is A Virtual Classroom?
A virtual class is a video conferencing solution that lets participants and instructors engage and access learning material. The classroom differs from other video conferencing tools thanks to its additional features that aid learning.
What Does Virtual Class Mean To Students And Tutors?
In essence, this online learning and teaching environment enables scholars to interact with and engage other members like in an actual classroom. It takes place in a synchronous, live setting. Participants can also view asynchronous, pre-recorded material, but a virtual classroom setting entails live interaction.
A virtual class offers various benefits over the typical brick-and-mortar classroom setups that mostly involve commuting. They include:
High Interactivity
Effective virtual classrooms make use of vast communication channels. You’ll need chat rooms, web-based virtual meeting software, voice calls, conferencing options, and messaging. This way, learners with diverse preferences can benefit equally.
Collaborative Learning
Virtual learning mimics real-time classroom atmospheres but doesn’t involve physical meetings. It reinforces learned content to boost knowledge retention. Furthermore, file sharing, digital whiteboards, chats, and virtual meeting apps enable collaborative education.
Student Focused Teaching
Unlike pre-recorded teacher-centric lessons, a virtual learning setup focuses on the respective scholars and their real-time learning. Students can discuss topics, clarify concepts, and ask questions in real-time.
Vast Content Types
Virtual classes present knowledge using different types of media to cater to students’ different learning styles and abilities. These include presentations, videos, animations, SlideShare, webinars, and digital whiteboards.
A Comfortable Learning Environment
Virtual lessons make studying feel less robotic. Tutors understand the importance of human interaction to successful learning. That’s why these classrooms are designed to ensure participants can chat and interact without compromise.
Virtual Vs Physical Learning: What You Need To Know
So, what is the difference between virtual and real classrooms? In a physical learning setup, scholars must see and hear their tutors and colleagues. They should also have a great view of their learning materials and the whiteboard.
Through audio and video streams, students can also hear and view their teachers in virtual classes. Conversely, tutors can use the online whiteboard to expound on concepts and ideas visually. They can also work through coursework and sums collaboratively.
The most striking difference between the two setups is that traditional classes use face-to-face participation. On the other hand, students can access virtual learning remotely without having to attend a class physically.
What Are the Disadvantages Of Virtual Classroom?
While virtual classes may come through as convenient and time-saving, they have several setbacks, including:
- Initial cost – You need a significant initial investment to set up a virtual learning arrangement and begin benefiting from the same. But in the long run, virtual classes will be way cheaper than in-person environments.
- Technical glitches – New virtual communication and learning systems present numerous issues. You’ll need to fix the problems as you implement the strategy.
- Less physical activity – This is a crucial concern for many scholars and tutors who participate in virtual learning. Spending hours on the laptop screen risks eye complications and problems associated with a lack of physical activity.
- Training requirements – You can’t create a virtual classroom set up and begin using it immediately. Instead, scholars and tutors must train to use the system, which can take more time.
- Isolation – Another major concern, long-term isolation can significantly reduce person-to-person interaction. This could affect a student’s social skills and could present the added risk of mental health issues.
Most of these setbacks are not deal-breakers. You only need to find practical solutions to each hurdle, and you’ll be able to enjoy the immense benefits of virtual classes.
Parting Shot
Changing educational demands and the global Coronavirus pandemic have jointly made distance learning gain traction fast. Technology is a significant factor in facilitating this transformation. Content development and delivery models are now more engaged, nuanced, and personalized.
Students can now access learning material and conveniently engage with teachers and classmates from any location. Unlike most other videoconferencing tools, live online classrooms offer additional features that make learning fun and interactive.
Frequently Asked Questions On Virtual Classes
What Is the Meaning of Virtual Classes?
Virtual classes refer to online learning environments mimicking typical classrooms without face-to-face interaction. These environments can be web-based, and participants can access them through software or a portal. They also need a downloadable executable file.
What Is the Purpose of a Virtual Classroom?
Virtual learning setups are designed to replicate the physical classroom experience. They also offer additional benefits like instant feedback, interaction, and file sharing, hence ideal for distance learning. Virtual classes also provide the freedom to choose the best times to participate in class in a way that syncs with your schedule.
What Is Virtual Class Example?
Online degree programs are a classic example of virtual classes. Institutions use their internal resources or hire program management firms to recruit and tutor students through webcam-issued degree programs. Other examples of virtual classes are Bootcamps and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
What Is the Difference Between Online and Virtual Classes?
There’s no significant difference between virtual vs online learning. However, online classes can be considered an umbrella phrase that refers to web-based learning setups and resources, pre-recorded and real-time. But virtual courses occur in real-time, enabling interactive and engaging learning.
How Do Ivy Tech Online Classes Work?
Ivy Tech Online is a virtual learning program by Ivy Tech Community College offering affordable, high-quality online learning options. The platform provides a combination of degree and certificate courses to launch your career from anywhere.
