Virtual classroom: what is it, and how does it work

The virtual classroom is a multi-purpose pedagogical tool that opens up a world of possibilities for new educational or training strategies. It can be developed in a complementary way with face-to-face classes or in totally independent and online practice. 

Whatever the purpose, the virtual classroom is becoming a revolution in learning and teaching.

Given its relevance, we will discuss the virtual classroom and what it is for in this article.  

What is a virtual classroom?

A virtual classroom is a pedagogical modality that creates a distance learning space in which a trainer addresses students through a screen, thus forming a class. 

According to the Resolution of April 15, 2020, it is the learning environment in which the trainer and the students interact in real-time. 

This pedagogically focused interaction differentiates it from other training methods, such as webinars.

Communication is therefore bidirectional. The teacher addresses his students, and they can also interact with their interlocutor thanks to a synchronous telematic communication system.   

As can be seen, interactivity is the key to the successful development of a virtual classroom.

What is a virtual classroom for?

The potential of a virtual classroom is significant. It offers excellent possibilities for the development, analysis, and monitoring of classes when combined with professional solutions such as learning management system (LMS) platforms like Moodle, Canvas, or Chamilo, among other solutions.

It is important to emphasize that this is not a simple transposition of a face-to-face class but a system that combines learning and technology. 

Let us now look at some of its possibilities to understand its projection. 

Strategic partner for classroom training

The objective is to facilitate the delivery of training actions that correspond to the face-to-face modality in mixed modality – face-to-face and virtual – or entirely at a distance.  

Universal access point to education

Virtual classrooms allow access to education from any geographical location and, in any circumstance, minimize or even eliminate barriers to accessibility as long as there is a connection to facilitate it.

Natural incentive for participation

Work flexibility in virtual classrooms encourages student participation through recreational activities, quizzes, collaborative teamwork, evaluations, etc.

Community builder

The sense of community facilitates exchanges between students or teams, as real-time interaction allows students to request more information or ask questions. 

These exchanges improve comprehension and assimilation of information, increasing success rates.

Attention energizer and retainer

The virtual classroom allows it to stage its development to maintain the students’ attention and enhance their participation. 

Thematic backgrounds, reward systems, audiovisual contents… multiple resources, and tools make it possible to make your classes enjoyable, which translates into an excellent way to promote learning.

Energize your programs with collaborative workshops, teamwork, reviews… 

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Direct feedback for teachers

This exchange of “impressions” allows teachers to implement different analysis parameters, provided they have a technical system that collects the information to translate it into value. 

Virtual classroom rules and expectations: are they different from a regular classroom?

The virtual classroom rules depend mainly on the university or institution.

But typically, during virtual classes, we will be governed by the same rules of coexistence and disciplinary measures of a face-to-face course. For example, maintaining a respectful attitude, the responsible use of technology, and the management of integrity and honesty.

These are some of the behavior rules to take into account inside a virtual classroom:

• Punctuality must be respected.
• At the entrance of the virtual classroom, greet your mates and identify yourself. 
• Always leave the camera on. 
• Do not eat during class.
• Raise your hand using the icons provided in the toolbar to make queries.
• The treatment between teachers and students during virtual classes should be respectful and friendly, requesting what is required using the words “please” and “thank you”. (This is not hard to do in any field or circumstance).
• The student must have the microphone of the cell phone, tablet, computer, or other devices on mute until the teacher asks the student to participate.

What tool can serve as a virtual classroom?

The delivery of training through virtual classrooms must guarantee synchronized connectivity between teacher or trainer and students, as well as a structure and organization that covers all the possible demands of all those involved. 

By now, you are probably wondering how to create a virtual classroom, so we are going to share with you 3 methods you can use: 

1. Plugin or module in self-managing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. 
2. Videoconferencing software. 
3. Learning Management System -LMS-.

In any case, LMSs are complete solutions that meet the legal requirements for distance education and offer the possibility of carrying out evaluations and other resources to successfully carry out your educational or training strategy. 

Some official and legal requirements of virtual classrooms

In addition to the standard and more usual requirements regarding connections to an official virtual classroom, the application you use must have a connection registration system for each training action that provides the following data: 

• Identification of the participants. 
• Date of connection. 
• Total connection time. 

As indicated in the Resolution mentioned above of April 15, 2020, a virtual classroom must contemplate a mechanism that allows access by the supervisory bodies during the time it is being held to monitor and supervise actions. 

Another essential element is how to access a virtual classroom, and at this point, the identification of participants is a determining factor in the security of the environment. 

Proctoring tools are a great ally in this context due to their ease of implementation and all the monitoring and security resources they provide. 

SMOWL’s proctoring products are flexible, can be perfectly adapted to your needs, and respect the participants’ privacy while complying with current data protection and information management regulations and providing you with innovative information management. 

Request your free demo and enter the fascinating world of virtual classrooms in safe and respectful environments. 

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