What is it?
Virtual classrooms (also commonly referred to as Synchronous classrooms and online classrooms) are becoming increasingly popular in educational settings. They allow students and instructors to communicate synchronously using web-based video conferencing technology. Most synchronous classrooms provide video conferencing, teleconferencing, public and private chat, quizzes, whiteboards, polling and emoticons. These web conferencing sessions require no special software for the staff or students and can be recorded for viewing at a later date. CQUniversity is currently evaluating three web conferencing products:
Why would I use it?
Synchronous classrooms allow real-time interaction between staff and students who may be geographically dispersed. Group interaction, collaboration, discussion and problem solving can be facilitated in a real-time virtual classroom environment.
How can I use it with my learning and teaching?
Lectures can be delivered and recorded using synchronous classrooms along with tutorials and study groups. The three virtual classroom products being currently evaluated can all integrate with the Moodle learning management system. This means that a virtual room could be created at the start of term that allows the students to interact in real time throughout the term with other members of their Moodle groups when working on group projects.
Questions/Comments?
Visit the virtual classroom forum.
Where can I get more information?
Check the Ten Top Tips for using a virtual classroom
