Virtual Classroom
A virtual classroom is not just a video just video conferencing tool where instructors and participants engage with each other and with the learning material. The difference with other video conferencing tools is that virtual classrooms offer an added set of features that are essential to a learning environment.
Virtual Classroom with Wurkr
Use Wurkr as a virtual classroom software to engage your students with interactive tools for focused learning and cutting-edge video conferencing that requires no installation or download. Wurkrs Virtual Classroom’s persistent virtual spaces are made for learning from whiteboards to quizzes and breakout rooms.
You can even build an Entire Virtual School with Wurkr at ease – multiple classrooms each with its own unique breakout rooms
What is a Virtual Classroom?
A virtual classroom is not just a video conferencing tool where instructors and participants engage with each other and with the learning material. The difference with other video conferencing tools is that virtual classrooms offer an added set of features that are essential to a positive learning environment.
Virtual classroom software enables instructors to:
- moderate student participation
- display learning materials in the form of documents, slide decks, or multimedia files
- enrich the learning experience with screen-sharing and virtual whiteboard features
- divide the participants into breakout rooms, which the instructor can join
- engage the participants with polls and quizzes
- record the sessions (and manage those recordings)
A virtual classroom platform helps make the learning experience interactive and engaging while providing a controlled and a positive learning environment. But virtual classrooms also offer features that reach beyond the in-class experience. Instructors can access the classroom prior to the lesson to prepare the material. This material, as well as the session recording, is available after class, for reference for instructors and participants alike.
Participants can connect to virtual classroom platforms from any device that can connect to the Internet. This type of flexibility enables participants to consume content, regardless of their location across the globe.
Another significant benefit of virtual classroom software is that it facilitates student progress tracking. Instructors can consult data such as class attendance and student activity. They can track a participant’s progress via online polls and analytics, identify areas of difficulty, and help the participant learn challenging subject matter with visual tools.
Best Practices for a Virtual Classroom Setup
Typically, organizations and education institutions create their own unique digital learning tool, which meets their individual needs and standards. However, there are certain practices that can help improve the process in most cases. Here are key best practices for a successful virtual classroom implementation:
- Simulate a physical learning environment—instructors, teachers, and class participants need features that simulate a physical learning environment, regardless of their current location. Even if participants are viewing the class from their living room, the digital space should look familiar. A virtual classroom can help create a suitable positive learning environment, using quality streaming, presentation tools, and user-friendly collaboration features.
- Features for interactive teachings—such as digital whiteboards and annotations, emojis, and chats. All of these features help instructors engage participants and create a dynamic and interactive learning environment.
- Breakout groups—are features that split a virtual classroom into mini virtual classrooms, where participants can work in small groups. Instructors can set a time limit for group work and bring all participants back to the main virtual classroom.
- Easy sharing capabilities—instructors often share materials with participants. Instructors need to be able to share screens, video, audio, and other resources. Easy and quick sharing is critical to ensure a positive learning experience.
