Virtual classrooms

Virtual class rooms

Definition: A virtual classroom is an online classroom that allows students and teachers to communicate with one another, view presentations or videos, interact with other students, and engage with resources in work groups. A virtual classroom allows both learners and teachers to access from anywhere  to participate in live classes to collaborate and interact.

Description: Just like in a real-world classroom, a student in a virtual classroom participates in synchronous instruction, which means that the teacher and students are logged into the virtual learning environment at the same time.  To enhance the educational process, applications may also provide students with asynchronous communication tools, such as message boards and chat capabilities. 

Virtual classroom features:

-Students can access any time,  anywhere from any device which has internet connection. 

 -Virtual classrooms are less expensive and learners no need to worry about travel expenses and travel time.   

-Virtual classes allows to record class as it happens, including any presentation audio and visuals. So students can access to the content after their class. 

-Virtual classroom allows everyone to takes part in the learning at the same time. A traditional lecture is an example of this type of learning. 

-Virtual classrooms allows not only  to deliver lectures, or tutorials online they also allows meetings and group projects where members need to check-in on progress and bounce ideas of one-another. 

Also virtual classrooms have some limitations.

-The choice of course is limited

-It may be hours until a questions is answered by the teacher.

-students should have necessary equipment.

Videos on virtual classrooms:

Virtual Classrooms typically include some or all of the following elements:

 -Text chat: People can type what they would like others to see in real time

 -Shared whiteboard: A blank screen where people can share information, write comments, and draw

   pictures in real time.

-Presentation capability: Instructors have multiple options for presentation of content from   audio/video/multimedia lectures, to self-guided power points.

 -Audio: People can share information with a microphone and speakers.

    

 - Polling or survey tools: The ability to take a survey and publish the results possibly on the white      board.

  
        Reference: http://www.learndash.com/characteristics-of-a-virtual-classroom/

                                 http://www.slideshare.net/techsee/virtual-classroom

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