Ghulam Yasin

The term "virtual classroom" refers to situations in which teachers and learners are in different geographic locations and interactive web conferencing technology is used to facilitate the learning.

Synchronous interaction.This tool creates an online, collaborative learning

situation.GotoMeeting, webinar, but I would like to encourage

you to be a little more interactive than most of those. Other terms: Distance education, videoconferencing, virtual teaching, webconferencing, and interactive technology

Virtual Classroom

The virtual classroom provides two-way voice over the Internet, instant messaging, and a shared, interactive whiteboard to display educational content. (VOIP)

The virtual meeting can be extremely similar to the interaction of a face-to-face classroom discussion.

All of these features create a rich and engaging learning environment that allows users to benefit fully from sessions regardless of their preferred learning styles.

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classrooms includeThe interactive whiteboard feature of virtual

classrooms provide a way to use the electronic writing/drawing pad with math symbols.

In most, you can share files or you may be able to show students anything on your computer (educational software, web sites, etc)

In addition, virtual classrooms allow teachers to meet and talk with students online.

Many allow sessions to be archived for students to review at a later time.

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Web collaborationResearch in distance learning indicates that

student/teacher and student/student interaction greatly enhances student outcomes by improving attitude and motivation and building a sense of community.

Students at home feel less isolated and more connected with the teacher and other students when online courses use communication and collaboration tools.

Recorded sessionsA virtual classroom should include the ability

to record and playback sessions, creating reusable learning objects to maximize access and leverage resources.

Recorded classes can be used for exam review, and sessions can be pre-recorded to provide information before a course begins.

Recordings can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition.

Practical applicationsUpload documents and annotate the document

together (be careful with the eraser!)Demonstrate an application or highlight

website features using live screen capture (requires Camtasia Studio Recorder)

Work on math problems in the whiteboardHold a discussion using the chat with the

content as a promptStudents can collaborate with other students

on projects

GuidelinesDevelop and Communicate Clear Performance

Objectives Always Build Rapport Carefully Plan The Entire Lesson Focus Only On 3-4 Main Points Afford all participants an opportunity to be "heard"

or to interact with a partner Assist participants in becoming comfortable with

the technologyActively Involve the Learners Triple the Amount of Visuals

Actively involve the studentsInteraction may take a variety of forms, includingAsking questions that require explanations Completing tasks that require teamwork or

collaboration Demonstrating or giving examples Active processing, handing over control “tools”

to students oftenEnsuring that participants have an opportunity

to be "heard" or to interact with a partnerPolls

WIZIQJOIN WIZIQ – FREEWWW.WIZIQ.COM

Students must register for an account as well

The next step is to LAUNCH CLASS

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Video linkClick here for a video demonstrating the

WIZIQ virtual classroomhttp://twt.wikispaces.com/

Virtual+Classrooms

Blackboard’s VC

http://www.blackboard.niu.edu/blackboard/communications/virtualclassroom.shtml

RecommendationsUse SKYPE as a back up for voice conferencingOr set up a conference phone line as a back upStart small, host a one on one sessionPractice, Practice, Practice Experience has shown that practice and training

for virtual teachers are an essential component of delivering instruction virtually. Instructors must be thoroughly familiar and comfortable with the time delay, multimedia resources, most of the features of the web conferencing software, etc (Bilton, 1997).