Virtual training seems to be simply a teaching approach that occurs in an online setting.
While students and lecturers are in different locations, the training provided to participants is comparable to in-person training.
Employers benefit greatly from virtual training. The primary advantage is geographic independence. Employees can be located anywhere with an internet connection and receive the very same information in the same amount of time.
As remote working positions become more common in the workplace, virtual training is essential for keeping everyone on the same page.
Advantages Of Virtual Learning Over Traditional Learning
When particularly in comparison to in-person classes, virtual learning has several distinct advantages, including:
- Reduced Risk: Avoiding contact with other students is a risk-reducing strategy in the event of a global pandemic.
- Students can engage in virtual learning from any location with a good Internet connection.
- Accessibility: Any student’s ability to access content is only limited by their computer/tablet equipment and Internet bandwidth.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Virtual learning experiences are significantly less expensive than in-person classes.
- Global Perspective: By remotely connecting people from different countries, an online educational experience can provide an expanded worldview.
- Improved Feedback: By taking quizzes often while enjoying the virtual learning content, students receive immediate feedback on their learning comprehension.
- Asynchronous educational material is available 24/7, 365 days a year, to any enrolled student who wishes to access it.
- Comfort: Students can enjoy the content from the comfort of their own homes.
- Surprisingly, having a shared virtual learning experience improves community and relationship building.
- Improved Technical Skills: Students can learn how to conduct Internet research and become more comfortable with computer technology.
Disadvantages Of Virtual Learning
- Technical difficulties. Fear of technical issues is the most significant barrier to virtual learning. You’re not alone if you’re concerned about finding time to learn new technology. To avoid awkward software failures, select the appropriate online teaching tools.
- Low participation. “I couldn’t get my students to engage if they weren’t right in front of me.” Does this sound familiar? This is a common misconception. Yes, if virtual learning is used incorrectly, some students may feel disconnected and isolated. However, there are numerous strategies for increasing student engagement in online learning. Virtual learning accommodates a wide range of learning styles and can boost overall engagement.
- Particular learning environment Some lab-based or practical subjects aren’t well suited to entirely online delivery, but these studies could still benefit from blended learning methods like using virtual labs on LabXchange.
With some careful planning, you’ll be able to easily overcome any disadvantages of virtual learning. Continue reading to learn about the best virtual learning practices.
What virtual learning platforms are available?
Virtual learning platforms include Virtual Learning Environments, Learning Management Systems, and Video Engagement Platforms. These definitions will assist you in deciphering the acronyms associated with virtual learning platforms:
Virtual Educational Environment (VLE)
A virtual learning environment (VLE) is an online portal through which students can access course materials and educational content. Tutors can use VLEs like Google Classroom to host resources as well as deliver synchronous online classes.
Learning Management System (LMS)
A Learning Management System (LMS) is an online platform for delivering educational programs. Administration, planning, and reporting are all supported by the platform. Tutors can create courses, assign learner groups, and track student progress using an LMS such as Blackboard Learn.
Video Engagement Platform (VEP)
A VEP, such as Livestorm, can enable instructors to communicate with students in real-time via video call. Screen sharing, chat boxes, polls, and digital whiteboards are all excellent interactive features for keeping students alert and engaged.
Best Practices Of virtual Learning in 2022
Consider these best practices before investing thousands of dollars in high-tech gadgets and complex production tools. You might be surprised at how little effort it takes to acquire experiences virtually.
Clutter Free Visuals
What are the requirements for creating a high-quality course video? Most content can probably be recorded using the camera on your laptop or mobile device. Use an external microphone, such as those used by podcasters, to capture your voice. Finally, select good natural lighting, preferably from a window that is not directly behind you.
If you want, you can purchase a ring-style light. Take note that these can be harsh. Squint or avoid making eye contact with the camera.
Less is more when it comes to background. It is best to use a white sheet or a printed background with neutral colors. Keep your eye-catching accessories and posters to the sides of your face and hands.
Face The Students
Do you use a whiteboard app to teach math and science? You can still include a video of yourself in the corner if you want. Students connect with you more when they can see your face, so try to show yourself in as many frames as possible.
For lecture-style videos, a “talking head” pose effectively conveys the message. A third of the frame should be taken up by your body or face.
Include text-to-speech functionality
Transcription is one of the more exciting emerging technologies in education. It can engage learners as they watch the videos, but the transcript text can also be used outside of the video lecture in a variety of ways. When creating asynchronous videos, you can add text captions in editing.
To transcribe your edited videos, simply upload the video file to Rev. You can choose between AI and human transcription. The advantages of an automated transcript are the quick turnaround and lower cost.
It is one of the more accessible applications of artificial intelligence in education because it can be used by anyone with a computer.
By needing to pay more for human transcription, you can achieve up to 99% accuracy. This might even save you time that you’d have spent editing.
A word about captions versus subtitles
In a classroom setting, the most common way to use text in a video is through captioning. Captions are text on the screen that is written in the same language as the speaker in the video. Captions can be used in a variety of ways.
Try giving ESL students, those with speech delays, and differently-abled students another way to interpret the information presented. Captions can be added as either a separate file or “burned in.”
This means that the text is embedded in the video and is always visible when viewed.
Subtitles can be useful whenever there is a language barrier. Subtitles, on the other hand, are relevant for translation from some other language to English. For example, a Spanish instructor may decide to instruct the lesson entirely in Spanish. They can then use English subtitles to strengthen learning and improve comprehension by watching a portion of the video with English subtitles.
Best Virtual Learning Platforms
As more schools and universities, even if only partially, introduce online classes, officials are constantly looking for the best eLearning platform to meet their needs. Simultaneously, business owners are looking for new ways to train employees and hold meetings.
These different sides of people’s needs are similar quite so they will find what they need among the finest eLearning platforms. The few best eLearning platforms we are going to list have combined tens of millions of users, making them ideal for both universities and businesses.
- Docebo: Docebo, which debuted in 2008, is a collaborative learning platform that is primarily used in formal education. The fact that it is fully customizable and simple to use makes it popular among students who use it to interact with one another.
- Adobe Captivate: Adobe Captivate is a popular platform with gamification elements. This comprehensive platform includes highly useful automation tools as well as industry-standard 24/7 support. Despite the fact that Captivate was released in 2019, Adobe had been experimenting with eLearning platform precursors since the early 2000s.
- Google Classroom: Google Classroom is one of the most established free web services. The service, which was launched in 2014, was developed by Google with the primary goal of facilitating file and assignment sharing among both educators and students, as the software’s name suggests.
- Elucidat: The next eLearning platform on our list is ideal for developing a wide range of courses. Elucidat is a versatile eLearning platform, whether it’s because of the sheer number of themes available or because it supports all screen sizes. The developers wanted to build a web-based learning platform that would make it simple to create business training materials.
- Blackboard Learn: When you’re searching for an LMS for education, Blackboard Learn is a great option to consider. Schools, universities, and governments are among its primary users. The cloud-based data storage program guarantees that content from third-party providers is responsive, mobile-friendly, and editable.
Custom Virtual Learning Environments
What if I told you that you could have an online learning environment built specifically for your organization? We can build a custom virtual learning environment that is tailored to your exact needs. This environment will allow you to share information, resources and content with your students in a secure manner that is accessible from anywhere at any time on any device.
Learn more here: Custom Virtual Learning Environments
Should I use online learning with my students?
Adopting virtual learning could keep your classroom from falling behind with outdated methods and out-of-date lesson plans.
Even if you’re the world’s biggest technophobe, you’re aware that your students are already using technology to support their learning and communicate with one another. Why wouldn’t you want to explore new avenues for fostering enthusiasm and collaboration?
There is no doubt that a few carefully chosen virtual learning tools will enhance your teaching. With so many virtual learning options available, nothing is stopping you from selecting virtual education methods that meet your teaching objectives as well as the interests and abilities of your students.