How Are Virtual Classrooms Better In 2022 Than Traditional Classrooms?
With technical advancements, education has also gradually moved online with several advantages. Some prominent benefits are flexibility at an affordable price and a virtual classroom without geographical barriers. Educational institutes like schools, colleges, and universities were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 lockdowns imposed in other parts of the world have significantly disrupted the learning process. In such cases, e-Learning systems can easily connect trainers and tutors with students via the internet and leverage the virtual classroom experience.
Now let us understand the meaning of best virtual classrooms.
WHAT ARE VIRTUAL CLASSES, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
A virtual classroom where every student learns using technology and the internet. It provides a digitally-enhanced learning environment for learners. Learners and working professionals can learn from online lectures without changing their schedules. Participants communicate via voice or video conferencing in a virtual classroom using the same interface.
FEATURES OF VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS
Several features make a virtual classroom different and differentiate them from its brick-and-mortar counterparts. The professor and the students sync in a virtual classroom, making productive interactions and immediate responses possible. A virtual classroom has several parts. These are –
- Video recording: An virtual class offers on-demand video classes, and learners can save live lectures for future reference.
- Video conferencing: Using an online video conferencing app, teachers and students can interact, solve doubts, and facilitate teacher-learner communication.
- Digital whiteboards: Another feature that online classrooms provide is the real-time demonstration of concepts with figures and diagrams using digital whiteboards.
- Sub-chats: Students can collaborate with others and discuss ideas on or after the class via the sub-chat feature.
- End-to-end encryption: Another critical factor is the safety of information shared in online classrooms.
WHY VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS ARE IMPORTANT
Virtual classrooms play a critical role in ensuring that education opportunities reach as many people as possible. Virtual learning allows students from other parts of the world to access engaging online sessions regardless of time and location. Due to virtual classes, constraints like a physical presence, time, and geolocation have been eliminated. In other words, an online classroom acts as a supplementary model to existing traditional education structures.
With virtual learning, organisations can foster comprehensive, independent learning cultures by reducing the costs of famous courses and certifications. Also, a virtual classroom can help bring numerous instructors under one umbrella.
Establishing norms for communication between students and teachers is essential for proper online classroom management. For example, during video conferencing, you should set up standards and expectations such as enabling camera use, using the chat function to seek assistance, reducing background noise and preparing for class ahead of time. Ask students what expectations have helped them learn best in online environments, and consider integrating good suggestions in your communication norms.
ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
There are different advantages of virtual learning over traditional classroom learning. For example, a virtual class allows organisations to independently train their clients and partners. However, online classrooms also offer other advantages, such as:
- Better accessibility: Clients and aspirants can access the content virtually and participate in virtual classes via web browsers.
- Highly interactive with multimedia support: It creates a productive classroom environment as educators use innovative methods and teaching approaches. They can help us understand and memorise concepts quickly.
- Scale as you grow: A online classroom is far better than a traditional classroom for scalability. With the growth in the number of students, you can scale effortlessly.
- Student-centric education: A online classroom focuses on students’ real-time education. Pre-recorded videos are mostly teacher-centric. But live classes over digital platforms focus on students asking questions, clarifying their doubts and concepts, and brainstorming topics in real-time.
Virtual learning is a trend that gained prominence primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology is the tool driving online learning by bringing in new models of developing and delivering content over the internet. In addition, advanced technology and devices have personalised digital learning.