Virtual Classrooms

A virtual learning classroom, or online education, is an e-learning education system based on the web . Virtual classrooms model a conventional in-person education by providing equivalent virtual access to classes, class content, tests, homework, grades, assessments, and other external resources such as academic or museum website links. It is also a social space where students and teacher can interact through threaded discussions or chat. It typically uses Web 2.0 tools for 2-way interaction, and includes a content management system. Virtual learning classrooms are the basic components of contemporary distance learning, but can also be integrated with a physical learning environment, which may be referred to as blended learning.

Virtual learning can take place synchronously or asynchronously. In synchronous systems, participants meet in "real time", and teachers conduct live classes in virtual classrooms. Students can communicate through a microphone, chat rights, or by writing on the board. In asynchronous learning, which is sometimes called "self-paced" learning, students are expected to complete lessons and assignments independently through the system. Asynchronous courses have deadlines just as synchronous courses do, but each student learns at his or her own pace. A virtual learning environment can also include students and teachers "meeting" online through a synchronous web-based application. The teacher presents lessons through video, PowerPoint, or chatting. The students are able to talk with other students and the teacher, as well as collaborate with each other, answer questions, or pose questions. They can use the tools available through the application to virtually raise their hands, send messages, or answer questions on the screen given by the teacher or student presenter.

Institutions of higher and further education use online education in order to:

1. Economize on the time of teaching staff, and the cost of instruction.
2. Facilitate the presentation of online learning by instructors without web authoring experience.
3. Provide instruction to students in a flexible manner to students with varying time and location constraints.
4. Provide instruction in a manner familiar to the current web-oriented generation of students.
5. Facilitate the networking of instruction between different campuses or even colleges.
6. Provide for the reuse of common material among different courses.
7. Provide automatic integration of the results of student learning into campus information systems.

Virtual classrooms are not limited only to students and learners in university level studies. There are many virtual learning environments for students in grades K-12. These systems are also particularly suited for the needs of independent educational programs, charter schools and home-based education.

Some of the other benefits of virtual classrooms include the ability to create an international online education course that allows students from various countries to interact with each other: skills that should be developed in an increasingly globalized world. Virtual learning classrooms also provide access to materials that were previously restricted to students enrolled in university programs, empower self-motivated learners, and encourage an increasing use of online technology as part of the traditional classroom.

Key disadvantages of virtual learning that could make online education less effective than traditional classroom settings include:

1. Potential distractions that hinder true learning.
2. Bias towards tech-savvy students over non-technical students.
3. Teachers' lack of knowledge and experience to manage virtual teacher-student interaction.
4. Lack of social interaction between teacher and students.
5. Lack of direct and immediate feedback from teachers.
6. Asynchronic communication, which hinders a fast exchange of questions.
7. Danger of procrastination.