http://www.inc.com/welcome.html?aw=600&ah=600


Virtual Classrooms are very popular and are a unique way to encourage and allow students, teachers, and even parents to learn via distance education. Sometimes virtual classrooms are also known as distance education, computer based training, online education, and other similar names; however it simply means a way of compiling lesson plans, activities, lab exercises, and other normal classroom activities onto a web-based environment. It is relatively cost effective and all a student needs is a computer with Internet access. The article that I found touched on the "e-learning" industry, the companies participating heavily, the recent increase in popularity, and some tips for teachers to successfully compile a virtual classroom.

Many students here at Florida Gulf Coast University should be very familiar with virtual classrooms, especially the students in this very class we are taking. I enjoy the virtual classroom setting personally because it allows me to work at my own pace, which is an advantage for distance learners that are either accelerating at a higher speed than others or those with learning disabilities, it allows students to take their time and do their best quality of work.

One tip that the article pointed out was very insightful in my opinion, they made sure teachers understood that they need to focus on the learner's point of view when designing a virtual classroom. This is very important. Not all learners want to read text, some prefer pictures, quizzes, or interactive activities. It is important for teachers to keep the point of view and most importantly the age group of the distance learners in mind.

To take this virtual classroom to a further level, I would encourage my learners to check out other virtual classrooms that are learning the same subject, perhaps in other states or even countries. I think it could only benefit learners to see the same subject from several points of view, even if it appears in other languages, it is good to experience.