Virtual Classroom: What It Is & How It Works (2023 Guide)

Updated by Tara Malone

Curious about how a virtual classroom works? 

It’s totally understandable if you’re wondering how it can replace a normal classroom. Where are the whiteboards and student chatter, the computer lab and the library?

Although virtual classrooms provide a different experience from a traditional classroom, online learning has taken off and shows no sign of slowing down. The model’s been tested and improved, and there are now tons of platforms that host virtual classrooms. 

Online learning is a powerful solution for many professionals and students alike. It’s an effective method of learning that benefits both time-poor professionals looking to upskill as well as students who want convenient access to courses and quality academic degrees and certifications. 

If you’re keen to find out more about virtual classrooms, you’re in the right place. In this article we’ll cover what a virtual classroom is, how it works, and how to choose a virtual classroom platform.

Let’s get started!

What is a Virtual Classroom?

A virtual classroom is an online space where students and teachers interact with each other in real time. Students learn by engaging with a range of course materials, just as they do in a normal classroom. 

A virtual class done well is as stimulating and successful as a brick-and-mortar classroom. The main difference is that a virtual course is based on video conferencing with extra features to enhance learning. 

In a typical virtual class, teachers use many types of media to illustrate the concepts they teach. They play pre-recorded video and audio and share multimedia files.  They also commonly show slide decks with animations. Sometimes they draw diagrams on virtual whiteboards to make a point. 

In many virtual classes, both teachers and students can screen share.  And a recording of the live class can also be made available for instant review. 

Student participation can be moderated by a teacher in a virtual class.  For example, when a student wants to speak, they can “raise their hand” digitally. If they need help, they can also type instant messages in the chat.  They can even throw in an emoji or two to each other and to the teacher. In addition, students collaborate by joining small “breakout” groups for discussion and group projects.

In a virtual classroom, a teacher can track each student’s progress via online polls, quizzes, and analytics. This helps them to see what’s working and where students need help. 

What You Need for a Virtual Classroom

Before you can set up your virtual classroom, there are a few things you’ll need.

First, you’ll want to find a designated space where you can set up your equipment and teach your lessons. Your workspace should be quiet and have decent lighting so that your students can clearly see and hear you.

The required equipment is fairly basic – many online instructors operate their virtual classroom from their laptops. You might also opt to add more lighting, or invest in a high-quality microphone and camera. 

It’s also crucial to have a reliable and fast internet connection so your online classes run smoothly, without disruptions.

Finally, you’ll need to have a virtual classroom platform that meets the needs of your course. For example, if you’re teaching K-12 students, you’ll probably choose a different platform from someone who’s teaching professional training programs for adults.

Different Types Of Virtual Classrooms

Now that you know what a virtual classroom is and what you’ll need to create one, let’s take a look at some of the different kinds of virtual classrooms.

1. MOOCs

MOOCs are Massive Open Online Courses, which means they’re open to all. Top global universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford, create the online course content and supporting materials. MOOCs also feature discussion forums that encourage student engagement. That said, there can be differences with different types of MOOCs. For example, some courses are free while others charge fees, and some give certificates of completion while others do not.

Coursera is the biggest MOOC in the world (with 20 million students), and edX is the second.

2. Bootcamps

Bootcamps are acceleration courses, offered in-person or via virtual classrooms. They are generally short term, intense, and immersive training sessions. The students are typically professionals who want to upskill in industries like web development or data analytics.

For example, MIT offers an Innovation Leadership Bootcamp. Galvanize and Thinkful also offer career accelerator bootcamps. 

3. Online Degree Programs

Some universities and colleges offer their courses and degree programs through virtual classrooms. Students can choose between virtual or on-site courses, from associate all the way up to doctoral level. 

Some courses use a combination of virtual classrooms and interactive discussion. But for many courses, the bulk of the material is delivered asynchronously, where the student accesses the material to suit their schedule. 

Click here to access a list of online degree programs.

4. Enriched Virtual Classrooms

Enriched virtual classrooms are a form of blended learning, in which students learn both at home and face-to-face at school. In an enriched virtual classroom, teachers create digital materials that students engage with online at home. Students watch videos, complete interactive worksheets, and do further research. They also interact with peers via collaborative digital boards. 

At a scheduled time, students return to the physical classroom for projects and discussion. Research suggests enriched virtual classrooms improve learning.  

Benefits Of Virtual Classrooms

Now let’s consider some of the primary benefits of virtual classrooms.

Accommodates Different Learning Styles

Learning styles vary among students, and offering a variety of content types is critical to ensure students engage in a way that works for them. The best virtual classrooms embrace technology through videos, webinars, animations, simulations, and games. This enables students to interact with the material in different ways. Chat rooms, digital whiteboards, and instant messaging also encourage participation and peer collaboration. 

Saves Students and Teachers Time

Virtual classrooms save students and teachers time they would otherwise spend commuting. Extra time means teachers can source superior materials. Students from anywhere in the world can enroll, if time zones permit. Anyone with internet access and a device can take part, which means that neither time nor space is a barrier. 

Greater Accessibility for Students

Virtual classrooms can enroll more students since they’re not restricted by a physical space. Also, it’s cheaper to produce digital learning materials, which means schools can lower tuition on courses but don’t need to sacrifice profit. The result is quality education accessible to a international audience. 

Facilitates Personalized Learning

Virtual classrooms make personalized learning possible. Students can engage with teachers and peers in real time through typed questions, messaging, and discussion. And both students and teachers can enjoy reviewing recorded classes. On top of this, analytics data gives teachers feedback on which students are struggling and where to improve their teaching.

How to Choose a Virtual Classroom Platform?

Thinking about teaching your own class using a virtual classroom? Here are a few tips for choosing the virtual classroom platform that best meets your needs.

1. Consider the student experience.

Look for a virtual classroom platform with simple controls and a user-friendly interface. This ensures the student’s experience is positive right out of the gate. Students need to feel confident and at home using a virtual classroom. To this end, the fewer software downloads, plugins, and potential obstacles, the better. 

2. Choose a platform that simulates the regular classroom.

Look for familiar teaching features like digital whiteboards and chat functions. Quality video streaming is also essential. Teachers want the ability to create quizzes and polls, as well as to display content and communicate via video chat and instant messaging with students. Students want to be able to raise their hands and mute backgrounds for a better learning experience.

3. Opt for a platform with breakout rooms.

Especially in online learning, students need a place to bond and express opinions freely. Be sure the platform has the ability to create breakout rooms to allow for small group collaboration. Teachers should be able to set up the breakout groups with a set time limit, then bring everyone back to the main classroom for review and discussion. 

4. Ensure the platform makes it easy to share materials.

The platform must allow for teachers and students to easily share materials via video, audio, screenshare, and download. Students need to upload files of completed work and two-way file sharing leads to fast and seamless communication.

5. Keep security top of mind.

Online security should be at the top of your checklist when choosing a virtual classroom platform. Considering the investment you’ve made to craft your teaching content, you don’t want it to fall into the hands of unauthorized users. All students should have access codes, and you need to ensure courses have encryption security to prevent unwanted downloading.

6. Look for a platform with the flexibility to accommodate changes.

As you get student feedback, you’ll tweak the virtual classroom’s capability.  In time you’ll want to scale your offerings to include more courses and expanded class sizes. So be sure to choose a platform that allows you to make changes as needed.

Virtual Classroom Best Practices

In order to maximize your chances of success with managing a virtual classroom, there are certain best practices you should follow.

Here are a few virtual classroom best practices all online instructors should know about.

Set Classroom Rules and Expectations

Be sure to communicate your classroom rules and expectations, just as you would for an in-person classroom. There are a few additional considerations for virtual classrooms as well. For example, be sure your students know how to virtually raise their hands, where to submit their assignments, and how they can reach you outside of class.

Organize and Plan Each Session

For a virtual class, you’ll need to plan out your lessons just as your would for an in-person class. But engaging your students can be even more challenging for an online class, so it’s a good idea to give the class a specific structure to help keep students focused and engaged. For example, you might start things off with a warm-up activity, then present the main content, and finish the session with a closing activity that helps students internalize the key points.

Provide Consistent Feedback

In an online class setting, it’s crucial to regularly provide students with feedback on their progress. You’ll also want to make sure to respond to your students’ questions or concerns in a timely manner. This will help students feel supported and motivated to continue learning in the virtual environment.

Cultivate a Sense of Community

One of the challenges with online teaching is fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among your students. To overcome this hurdle, create opportunities for students to connect and build relationships with each other. This might involve assigning group projects, setting up discussion forums, or granting students access to a Facebook or Slack group.

Ready to Create a Virtual Classroom?

Now that you’ve seen how a virtual classroom works,  it’s time to consider if you’re ready to set one up yourself. 

You know there’s a huge market for online learning and all the big players are on board already. 

And now you’ve seen how quality isn’t sacrificed when education moves online. That’s because virtual classroom platforms include the best practices and the technology to make learning happen.

So if you want to set up a virtual classroom, the next step is to choose a platform that works best for your course and your students. And once you’ve made your choice, then go ahead and start offering your audience the course they want!