There are many different reasons why people choose to work remotely, and the needs of each individual employee will vary based on the type of work they do. Remote employees need access to the same digital tools their coworkers use every day, but they also need those tools to be designed with remote work in mind. Read on to learn more about the virtual classroom and how they can help your remote employees continue growing as professionals.
What are Virtual Classrooms?
Virtual classrooms are online learning platforms that offer remote employees/students the opportunity to attend class without leaving their home. A virtual classrooms allows remote workers to participate in live online meetings, webinars, conference calls, and other collaborative learning activities with the same level of engagement as people who are in the same room. Virtual classrooms provide the same benefits as real-world classrooms, from increased engagement to a better understanding of content. These virtual meeting spaces can be used for everything from remote meetings to training sessions. Before the internet, virtual classrooms were mostly used in higher education settings. Now, they’re also used by businesses to host meetings, train employees, and more.
How can a Virtual Classroom benefit remote employees?
Virtual classrooms can be used for everything from training and onboarding to strategy sessions and weekly check-ins. Virtual classrooms can help reduce the challenges of remote work by providing a space for your team to interact with one another. This can be especially helpful for new remote employees who might need extra help getting acclimated to the lifestyle. Unlike video conferencing, a virtual classroom is designed for engagement. You can also use these virtual meeting spaces to host large meetings with multiple teams. This can help each team feel like they’re an active part of the process and give them a way to engage with one another.
4 Tools that Every Virtual Classroom Should Have
Whiteboards – Whiteboards are one of the best tools for facilitating brainstorming and other types of collaboration. While many virtual classrooms provide basic virtual tools, few offer whiteboards. This is a key tool for remote workers to feel like they’re part of an in-person meeting.
Screen sharing – Many virtual classrooms include screen sharing capabilities so participants can share content with each other during meetings. This makes it easier for multiple people to actively participate in discussions.
Polling tools – Remote workers may feel like they’re not contributing as much to meetings when they can’t speak out. Polling tools make it easier for everyone to be heard.
Chat rooms – A virtual classroom should have a chat room where participants can ask questions and have real-time conversations. This is especially helpful for large meetings where remote workers can still actively participate.
3 Ways to Create a Virtual Classroom for your Employees
Automated virtual classrooms – These virtual classrooms are completely automated. You set up the meeting, and the platform does the rest. You can choose the type of meeting (video, audio, or both), invite employees, and set the mood with music and other effects. You can even set timers to keep everyone on track.
Self-host virtual classrooms – If you want the ultimate level of control over how your virtual classroom operates, you can self-host a virtual classroom. This gives you full authority over the room, which is especially helpful if you have remote employees with special needs.
Hybrid virtual classrooms – Despite its name, a hybrid virtual classroom isn’t a single, distinct tool. It’s a combination of different virtual classroom tools, including web conferencing, online collaboration tools, and video services. A hybrid virtual classroom can help you decide which capabilities are the most important for your team and provide a way for you to mix and match the best tools for your unique needs.
2 Best Practices for Managing a Virtual Classroom
Set guidelines for attendance – It can be tempting to have a virtual classroom that anyone can attend at any time, but this can lead to low attendance and non-value-added meetings. Before you launch your virtual classroom, make sure you have guidelines for attendance and a way for participants to log feedback about the meetings.
Make sure your virtual classroom works for remote workers with special needs – Some remote workers may need extra assistance participating in your virtual classroom. Make sure your virtual classroom has a way for them to actively participate in discussions and provide feedback without disrupting others.
What are the benefits of virtual classrooms?
Virtual classrooms offer many benefits, especially for working adults. These courses allow you to complete coursework at your own pace, which can reduce stress. You won’t have to take time out of your busy schedule to attend classes. Instead, you can simply log in and complete the coursework at home or in your spare time from any computer with internet access. This also means that virtual classrooms don’t require commuting or time spent traveling to campus and back each day. Virtual classrooms also tend to be more affordable than traditional campus-based programs as well as provide more flexibility for working adults by eliminating the need for traditional class times.
Convenient for working adults
Perhaps the most significant advantage of virtual classrooms is that they are convenient for working adults. Most online students are employed adults, so having the flexibility to complete coursework from home is essential. Virtual classrooms allow students to complete assignments and take exams at their own pace, which can reduce anxiety and stress. This is especially helpful for students who work full-time and have families, as it allows them to find the time to complete coursework in their spare time rather than having to make time for it during the workday.
Affordable and flexible learning options
Online programs tend to be more affordable than attending a traditional campus-based program. This is especially the case when you consider the reduced cost of commuting to campus. Online programs are also more flexible with regards to the number of courses available online versus on campus. Many online programs are entirely online, which offers more flexibility for working adults who may not be able to attend classes in person. With a campus-based program, you’re often required to attend certain courses on campus at specific times, regardless of whether or not you can attend.
Reduce stress and anxiety due to convenience
Another significant advantage of virtual classrooms for working adults is that they can reduce stress and anxiety due to convenience. Working adults often feel significant stress when trying to find the time to travel to campus, attend classes, and complete coursework. Virtual classrooms allow students to complete coursework in their spare time from home. This is especially helpful for students with disabilities or other special circumstances that require specific accommodations.
Immerse yourself in the learning environment
Virtual classrooms also offer students the ability to immerse themselves in the learning environment. This means that you have access to things like the library, tutoring, and other resources that you would normally have on campus. This can help you become more immersed in the learning process and make it feel more like a campus-based program.
Conclusion
Overall, virtual classrooms offer many advantages and benefits for working adults. These courses allow you to complete coursework at your own pace, which can reduce stress. You won’t have to take time out of your busy schedule to attend classes. Instead, you can simply log in and complete the coursework at home or in your spare time from any computer with internet access. These online learning platforms also tend to be more affordable than traditional campus-based programs. Virtual classrooms also provide more flexibility for working adults by eliminating the need for traditional class times.
The best solution for your remote employees is a virtual classroom. Virtual classrooms are designed for engagement and make it easier for people to participate in meetings and other activities. A virtual classrooms can be used to host large meetings, train employees, and more. Before launching a virtual classroom, make sure you have guidelines for attendance and that your virtual classroom works for remote workers with special needs. With these tools, your virtual classroom can help remote employees continue growing as professionals.
ReadyTech is Here
Remote, self-paced training is the new frontier of teaching and learning, as the need to keep up with the growing remote learning industry is stronger than ever. ReadyTech provides you with everything you need, and we offer a full-service setup process and 24/7 live support. Do you have questions? Contact us today.
