{"id":25902,"date":"2020-07-06T16:17:11","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T14:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intellias.com\/?p=25902"},"modified":"2024-07-23T11:19:23","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T09:19:23","slug":"virtual-classroom-software-distance-learning-across-geographies","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/intellias.com\/virtual-classroom-software-distance-learning-across-geographies\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Classroom Software: Distance Learning Across Geographies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, distance and online learning is surging across the educational space and across the globe, raising the demand for virtual classroom platforms. Collaboration between universities, schools, businesses, and education technology providers bridges skill gaps for successful employment. Virtual classroom software is conquering emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and North Africa, unleashing the potential for educational revolutions at a national scale.<\/p>\n

Who needs virtual classroom software the most<\/h2>\n

\"Virtual<\/p>\n

The billion-dollar reason to develop a virtual classroom solution<\/h2>\n

The coronavirus pandemic is contributing to the current boom in virtual teaching and learning. Locking down the education sector has posed severe challenges for educators, telecom providers<\/a>, and virtual classroom software providers, all of whom have had to handle the increased load of users. Microsoft Teams even went down for quite some time due to the abrupt spike in online collaboration.
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UNESCO estimates that, as of 26 March 2020, 165 countries have closed schools and universities nationwide, affecting over 1.5 billion children and youth \u2013 or 87% of the world\u2019s student population and a further 11 countries have implemented localized school closures.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/small>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t<\/section>
\nEducational providers lacking digital alternatives to in-person courses seem to be having a difficult time. But while the pandemic will eventually go away, the demand for distance learning will stick with us for the long term.<\/p>\n

Students, 65% of whom<\/a> have already taken online courses, are craving a mobile learning experience. This motivates virtual classroom providers to focus on the responsiveness of their solutions. In addition, employees are now working remotely more often, which makes online corporate trainings the number one option to onboard newcomers and keep employees on track with their career journeys.<\/p>\n

Apart from established providers of software for virtual classrooms like Coursera, Blackboard, and edX, emerging EdTech startups are paving their way to fill the technology gap separating education providers and a new generation of learners. Considering the global eLearning market will reach $325 billion by 2025<\/a>, developing virtual classroom software appears more lucrative than ever.<\/p>\n

What is a virtual classroom and what are its integral parts?<\/h2>\n

A virtual classroom is an online learning environment that can work as a complete platform or a suite of integrated software tools. Virtual classroom software engages teachers and learners in a collaborative online experience where all participants can exchange course materials, interact via conferences and chats, work in project groups, and get instant feedback on progress or knowledge gaps.<\/p>\n

Integral parts of virtual classroom software:<\/b>
\n\"Virtual<\/h3>\n

In-demand features for engaging virtual learning<\/h2>\n

Mobile responsiveness<\/h3>\n

A mobile experience has become a basic requirement for online learning solutions. Learners want to access courses and reach each other using their mobile devices. Micro-learning has achieved its highest adoption rate yet, while mobile devices are increasing engagement with materials through games, quizzes, and smart recommendations. By developing a mobile-optimized virtual learning classroom, you can win the hearts and minds of a new generation of learners.
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Learn how Intellias has designed and developed a mobile-responsive extension for a web-based language learning application<\/p>\n

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Natural collaboration<\/h3>\n

Previously considered an undisputed advantage of face-to-face learning, collaboration in virtual classrooms now goes much further than the limited lesson time. Learners demand integrations with their instant messengers so they can stay tuned to updated materials and create project groups. They also want to turn learning into a game, which requires gamification strategies and leaderboards so they can compete in knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n

Flexible interactions<\/h3>\n

The common approach of sitting through lessons with a teacher is no longer satisfying for many students. They want to access only relevant courses when they have time and take tests when they feel they\u2019re ready to succeed. A virtual classroom platform should provide flexibility by relying on cloud infrastructure that\u2019s accessible 24\/7 and should be able to withstand a high load of users at peak periods.<\/p>\n

Omni-synchronous learning<\/h3>\n

Learners want it all and now, so don\u2019t disappoint them. They strive to participate in live sessions for synchronous delivery of courses, staying on the same page with teachers and other students. At the same time, learners praise asynchronous learning for the ability to access materials after a teacher has posted a new course.<\/p>\n

Sweet bonus: breakthroughs in virtual classrooms<\/h3>\n

Innovations in other fields encourage users to expect something similar from educational technologies<\/a>. Among the technologies, learners want to use while studying are:<\/p>\n