Virtual Classroom Technologies

Virtual Classroom

A virtual classroom is a learning environment created in the cyber space. The objectives of a virtual classroom are to improve access to advanced educational experiences by allowing students and instructors to participate in remote learning communities using personal computers; and to improve the quality and effectiveness of education by using the computer to support a collaborative learning process. The explosion of the knowledge age has changed the context of what is learnt and how it is learnt – the concept of virtual classrooms is a manifestation of this knowledge revolution.

Hypertext Courses

          Structured course material is used as in a conventional distance education programme. However, all materials are provided electronically and can be viewed with a browser. Hyperlinks connect text, multimedia parts and exercises in a meaningful way.

Video-based Courses

          These are like face-to face classroom courses, with a lecturer speaking and Powerpoint slides or online examples used for illustration. Video-streaming technologies are used. Students watch the video by means of freeware or plug-ins (e.g. Windows Media Player, Real Player)

Audio-based Courses

          There are similar to video based courses but instead of moving pictures, only the sound track of the lecturer is provided. Often the course pages are enhanced with a text transcription of the lecture.

Animated Courses

          Enriching text-oriented or audio-based course material by animations is generally a good way of making the content and its appearance more interesting. Animations are created using Macromedia Flash or similar technologies. These animations help understand key concepts and also allow for better retention of learning.

Web-supported Textbook Courses

          These are based on specific textbooks. Students read and reflect the chapters by themselves. Review questions, topics for discussion, exercises, case studies, etc. are given chapter wise on a website and discussed with the lecturer. Class meetings may be held to discuss matters in a chat room, for example.

Peer-to-peer Courses

          These are courses taught "on-demand" and without a prepared curriculum. A new field of online education has emerged in 2007 through new online education platforms.

Communication and Interaction in Virtual Education

          Students in virtual education typically acquire knowledge in a unidirectional manner (e.g. by studying a video, reading a textbook chapter) with Subsequent discussions of problems, solving exercises, case studies, review questions, etc. help the students to understand better what they learned before. Electronic media like a discussion forum, chat room, voice mail, e-mail, etc. are often employed for communication.

          Homework assignments are normally submitted electronically, e.g. as an attachment to an e-mail. When help is needed, lecturers, tutors, or fellow students, or a help desk are available, just like in a real university. The difference is that all communication goes via electronic media.