Virtual Classroom: Definition, Benefits, Functioning, and More

June 17, 2024

Imagine the convenience of completing an entire school year without traveling to a distant location.

Now think about the power to connect with peers and teachers without meeting at a common location.

The ultimate choice to feed into student success is now easier than ever.

Thanks to the new digital learning environment with virtual classrooms. All this is quite possible.

Yes!

As more and more students are embracing online classrooms, Indian stakeholders are also analyzing this option inside out.

Go through this article for a comprehensive virtual classroom description through the leading online institution, K8 School.

Read on.

What is a Virtual Classroom?

A digital classroom establishes contact between the teachers and the students through a unique approach. Unlike a traditional classroom, this one allows access to all educational resources through the Internet. Students can experience their full-fledged educational journey, log in to virtual classes, learn with classmates, and seek the support of educators virtually.

So the simplest virtual classroom definition is that it carries out the educational processes through an online platform.

Now that we know what is virtual classroom, let’s discuss some factual hints to gauge the future of online learning.

Online Classroom- The Growing Adoption Rates

By 2026, almost 1 billion Indians will be internet-enabled phone users.

63.63 lakh Indians were expected to register for online education for higher studies (by 2022).

In 2020-21, 14.6 lakh Indian students chose distance learning. This number increased to 20.3 lakh in 2021-22.

60% of Indian students wished to opt for an online classroom to reduce the overall cost of education (in 2021 and 22).

percentage of Indian students find online education cost effective

What is the Need for a Virtual Classroom?

A Promising Package

With a soaring cost of school education (almost 30 lakh for a child’s schooling), most parents need respite. A digital classroom reduces transportation charges, eliminates the need for physical attendance, offers more subject choices, and allows more flexibility to study at one’s own pace. All in all, a virtual classroom description presents a promising package for both students and parents.

Balancing Interests and Studies

An average Indian student (traditional school) has too much on the plate!

School, travel, homework, and preparations for assessments hardly leave any scope for recreation or hobbies. But this is where the digital classroom offers a change. Learning digitally allows students to make time for hobbies each day by reducing time and energy in many ways. In a virtual class, students can save travel time, and cover most of the topic in the class itself. This helps them to find time for other hobbies that they wish to pursue.

Hours spent on homework	%
2 to 4 hours every day	40%
2 to 4 hours on the weekends	37%

time spent on homework by Indian students

Time spent on homework by students:

Threats in traditional classrooms

Safety is yet another reason why parents and students choose an online classroom. A virtual classroom description reiterates the features of a safe learning space, wherein there is no scope for bullying, school violence, or abuse of any sort.

50-60% of students in India battle with issues like bullying in the traditional settings. However, a virtual classroom presents an action-oriented approach to keep these threats at bay.

Indian students battle with issue like bullying

What does a typical school day look like in an online school?

Let’s discover with the example of India’s best online school-K8 School’s digital classroom.

Functioning of K8 School’s Virtual Classroom

Connecting to the online classroom-

Our school operates through an online learning platform that allows students to log in to virtual classes. Parents/stakeholders are given the necessary details (such as the log in credentials, access to resources, timetable, etc.). All enrolled students connect with the teachers in real time at the dedicated time slots mentioned in their timetable. The full-fledged teaching process is carried out with students virtually.

Books-

At India’s best online school, we acknowledge the timeless beauty of books in the teaching and learning process. For the best experience in a digital classroom, we procure the digital versions of all books. We follow the CBSE curriculum. And our teachers make use of digital books to impart instructions (cover lessons).

Teachers-

In many ways, the virtual classroom definition differs from that of a regular one.

Keeping this in mind, K8 School hires the industry’s best talent. Our teachers undergo regular training, and professional development programs. These experts are perfectly trained to carry out all processes in a virtual classroom.

Segregation between Asynchronous and Synchronous-

During weekdays (Monday to Friday), students need to log-in and be present for their virtual class.

Typically, these last from 3 to 5 hours (8:30 am to 3 pm). However, these are subject to change at the school’s discretion. Keeping the special requirements in mind, the school also arranges for extra classes for students outside the regular schedules.

Assessments/Exams & Feedback

A digital classroom offers a 360-degree monitoring mechanism. K8 School checks the subject understanding through end-of-lesson tests, activities, and other formative assessments throughout the year.

Upon the completion of an academic year (same as the Indian school calendar), the school conducts assessments. In an online classroom, students appear for exams under the vigilant monitoring of teachers.

Parents/caregivers are also updated regularly about the child’s progress through periodic PTMs (held virtually). They also receive a detailed subject-wise grade report at the end of the session (through e-mail).

In the next section, we will discuss another aspect that is often mentioned in the virtual classroom description, the ADVANTAGES!

Benefits of Virtual Classroom at K8 School

Zero chances of school violence.
Focuses on skill-building.
Less academic stress.
Selective socialization opportunities in a controlled environment.
Any time, any place learning opportunity.
More free time to follow one’s passion.
Cost-effective.

Virtual Classroom Vs Traditional Classroom- A Quick Comparison

S. No	Traditional Classroom	Virtual Classroom
1	In-person learning	Based on internet connectivity
2	Large class sizes	Individualized attention
3	Requires travel	No travel
4	High costs and hidden charges	No hidden costs and cost-effective
5	Strictly time-bound	More flexibility
6	Prone to bullying, abuse, violence, etc.	Threat-free learning
7	More teacher interactions	Few Teacher interactions
8	Teacher-centered	Highly engaging content and delivery
9	Focus on performance	Mastery learning
10	Less flexible to student’s needs	More focus on student’s learning needs

Final Thoughts

All it takes is a laptop, an internet connection, and a quiet study corner to enter the promising world of a virtual classroom. As the world moves forward with the online learning revolution, India too is set to play its part.

K8 School, India’s first accredited online school brings the impeccable advantages of an online classroom to your doorstep!

Be with us to discover empowerment right away!

We are now open for enrollment.

Reach out today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the simplest virtual classroom definition?
A digital classroom carries out all teaching and learning processes virtually. Students are given access to an online learning platform, wherein they can access virtual resources, submit assignments, and join online classes at a dedicated time.
What is the future of virtual classroom?
India already has a massive number of online enrollments post the pandemic. This trend is expected to grow at an exponential rate in the upcoming years as well.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a virtual classroom?
Advantages:
1. Flexible
2. Cost-effective
3. Threat-free
4. Better socialization etc.

Disadvantages:

Fewer teacher interactions
Dependent on internet

What are the virtual classroom essentials?
You need a laptop, a high-speed internet connection, a study corner, and an institution that can support your academic journey.