Tips for Educational Success: The Online Virtual Classrooms

Tips for Educational Success: The Online Virtual Classrooms

Vishal Bhojane
April 28, 2020

In March and April, many students found themselves unexpectedly moved from a traditional classroom to an online one due to Coronavirus Pandemic. Your kids may be one of them. For most of you, distance education was not part of your previous experience, and you may feel a little lost.

Whether you prefer an online program in the first place or it was necessary due to family or work responsibilities, you still might not feel 100% comfortable with the experience. Handling your time, discovering ways to connect remotely with your professor and other students, and working with technology are all mastered skills that are essential to educational success.

This guide incorporates how online learning works and how you can be as successful as you can be in this educational composition.

What is an Online Classroom, aka Virtual Classrooms?

Online classrooms are the replica of the traditional classroom system but with technology touch. Also called virtual classrooms that allow teachers to share ideas, collaborate, and solve student's problems with the live interactive video conference. The only need for both sides is a reliable infrastructure as a mobile & internet connection. If you have reliable infrastructure, you can take quality classes from the world's finest teachers sitting in any part of the world. This can cut the major cost of being dependent on heavy infrastructure.

These are the elements that make Virtual Classrooms effective:

1. Video & Audio Conferencing (Able to view & hear each other clearly)

2. Real-time Messaging (To raise the question, elaborate problems & answer, share files instantly)

3. Interactive Online Whiteboard (To write and share content, to elaborate answer)

4. Learning Material Library (Useful piece of content)

The effectiveness of the virtual classroom is dependent on network bandwidth.

Pros and Cons of Virtual Classrooms

Online classrooms or virtual classrooms mirror physical classrooms; if we take a closer look at the setup in physical classrooms, students able to watch, listen to teach other students, able to track content written on whiteboard & their share useful educational material with students. The virtual classrooms are mimicking the physical classrooms in a technological way. Some students and parents find virtual classrooms more comfortable than those taken in taken person.

Online class schedules are harder to remind and manage. Students have to be organized with their daily schedule. You can set a reminder in your phone calendar or mark on the physical calendar for not missing any class. You can keep in touch with other students around you via social networks, the same your school administration prefers to follow, mainly WhatsApp or Facebook groups. Here students should act more responsibly to manage their entire schedule. Let us share some pros and cons of Online Classes or Virtual Classrooms:

Pros:

1. Virtual classes offer physical distancing from other learners, which can help students stay healthy. Distancing is especially crucial if you or someone in your household vulnerable.

2. Attention span maters. Every human individual has their own attention span. Yes, it differs from person to person. The virtual classrooms offer the facility to watch recorded sessions at your own pace and as many courses as you can back and forth. Sometimes it's impossible to look at PowerPoint presentations and take notes in real-time.

3. Schedules, if managed correctly, offer a flexible environment allowing the student to balance family and educational responsibilities.

4. Cost-cutting benefits cannot be denied because it saves transportation and campus fees.

Cons:

1. Accountability: Due to lack of clear face-to-face interaction, lack of accountability is a matter of fact in virtual classrooms.

2. Due to the complex communication medium, students might have to wait for a longer time to get their questions answered.

3. Network connection issues could kill the learning experience and sometimes cause frustrations. So having reliable, consistent internet connection and a compatible device are mandatory.

4. The complex medium of communication and lack of management result in asynchronous classes, lack of fixed schedule, students will need to be disciplined in making sure not to miss any class.

9 Tips for Succeeding in Online Classrooms or Virtual Classrooms

We agree, there are differences between learning at a distance and learning physically with a teacher and your friends around you. It's crucial to know how to handle these curves. The following tips for both new and experienced online students will make your online experience more worthwhile and help assure you meet your educational objects.

1. Work with Your Teacher

Your online teacher is still a teacher, and they are there to help you succeed. Building a positive relationship with your teacher is healthy and possible. Your online teacher wants to connect with you, so don't be scared to reach out. Know how you can contact them, ideally both online and via phone or via social media.

Before listing questions and contacting the teacher, it would be wise to read the given material at once and do assignments. The teachers already know some of the questions students might ask, so the chances are they have already provided some assignments, and study material is high. Also, asking questions more often could slow down communication and may impact course duration. But if you have gone through all study material provided and still have some questions keep your question in the live messaging feature. Your teacher will eventually answer your question as soon as they find it relevant and necessary.

2. Connect with Your Classmates

Your classmates can be some of your most enormous resources, as they are all trying to achieve the same objective, succeeding in the course. Reconsider asking your classmates if any of them would be involved in studying via video chat. Forming a study group this way can work just like a meeting with your classmates in person.

When interacting with your teachers, politeness is still crucial. "Online conversations aren't the same as texting your friends, and when you don't know someone, it's harder to read criticism or stress in their writing."

3. Don't Ignore Your Advisor

Just like students who study on campus seeks adviser help, online students have advisors. Advisors help you figure out what classes you need to take, but they also support you in your educational pursuits by helping you find resources and set objects. They can assist as advocates as well, particularly if you are struggling with a personal difficulty, or having consistent technology obstacles.

4. Plan for Technology Problems

Nearly everyone had a time when they wanted to cry or yell, "I hate this platform or Service Provider," even those who have the most trustworthy internet connections and cutting-edge devices. Technical issues come up all the time, the internet cuts out, or you can't access a website or communication medium, etc. That is why it's a good attitude to try to do your work earlier than the day it is expected.

5. Time Is Limited: Manage it Wisely

Time management requires preparation. As you learn more about what goes well for you, you can emerge your plan into something that fits your requirements.

Create a regular plan structure; for synchronized classes, you will need to create a plan that shows the exact times that the classes are meeting. But make sure you check off not only class time, but times in which you will finish homework. For desynchronized courses, break your day down into chunks of time, and show what class you will engage in during that session.

You may also find it essential to set the alert alarm. For instance, if you are working on one homework from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, set the alarm for 4:00 PM to prompt you that it is time to move onto the following assignment on your list.

Eventually, the increase in time barriers. Sometimes homework takes longer than you had expected. Or, you might be suffering from cold or fever on a day that you listed a task. Add my time in your calendar or list plan, so you don't have to improve it or find yourself working late exclusively.

In any case, the core is to adhere to your plan or calendar. Don't turn things around except you genuinely can't dodge it.

6. Get Your Home Mates Onboard

As an online student studying from the house, you require to make sure roomies or family members realize that even though you are nearby or you may not be available to talk, to do tasks. Speak to them about the value of your education and explain that you require to catch a strict plan or calendar. Post your plan or calendar someplace they can see it or attach a sign on your entry saying "study time," so they understand when they should leave you undisturbed

7. Find Techniques to Keep Your Children Busy

Many online students have parents, siblings, and children can be distracting when attempting to study or listen to a talk. As children get older, they may be completely able to realize your need for holding to a plan or calendar. But the young ones may not know why you are not accessible whenever they want you. There are numerous ways you can deal with this problem.

Make assured to include their activities on your plan if possible. That means things like refreshments, preparing for school and bed, and also master to list particular play-time just with you or as a family. Share this plan with them, even the young individuals, so they know they haven't ignored.

8. Create a Personal Study Space

Find a place in your house that you only practice for studying. The purpose is for your brain to shift over to work mode whenever you enter the place. Avoid your room for this; if possible, having your sleeping place also be a workspace can divert you from studying, and being well- rested is crucial to be thriving in school. Fulfill your study place with things you like, such as photos and preferred colors, and make sure it is convenient.

9. Get Time for Yourself

As beforehand affirmed, many online students try to do too much at the same time. They are attempting to learn, work, and take care of the house's daily chores. Self-care is necessary; without it, your anxiety level may cause to skyrocket, which can influence physical and psychic health.

Make time into your plan for tasks you like to do, whether it's spending time with buddies, listening to music, dancing, playing instruments, or just sitting in front of the TV.

Here is some curated platform for reliable virtual classrooms:

1. ZOOM

2. Cisco Webex Meetings

3. Adobe Connect

4. Blackboard Collaborate

5. LearnCube