13 Choosing a Virtual Classroom
Why is choosing a virtual classroom an important decision?
Choosing a virtual synchronous classroom involves leveraging digital tools and platforms to conduct live sessions where instructors and students can engage in real-time communication and collaboration. This approach enables instructors to maintain a structured learning environment while fostering active participation, immediate feedback, and meaningful interactions among students. By selecting the synchronous modality, instructors prioritize the opportunity for dynamic discussions, interactive activities, and timely clarification of concepts, facilitating deeper understanding and enhancing the overall learning experience for students in the online environment.
At FSW, we offer a few different types of synchronous remote modalities that you can select from to meet the needs of the course and the students:
- FSW Blended On-campus – courses that mix online instruction with required, scheduled on-campus meetings. Some instruction will occur together in the classroom, and some instruction will be delivered online through Canvas and/or Zoom.
- FSW Blended Online – courses that mix online instruction with required, scheduled virtual Zoom classroom meetings. Some instruction will occur together in the virtual classroom, and instruction will be delivered online through Canvas.
- FSW Live Online – courses are a special version of an online course where instruction occurs via Zoom during a regularly scheduled time. Instruction happens together in a virtual classroom and never meets on campus.
- FSW Live Flex – courses are courses where faculty and students meet at regularly scheduled times, but some of the students participate via Zoom and some attend on campus. Instruction happens together as a class with some students attending virtually.
When using any of these modalities, instructors will be utilizing either Zoom or Class applications.
FSW Faculty Take
“I have had some very positive interactions with students. Probably one of the most unexpected things is how some students feel very comfortable sharing in the online environment. I am not sure they would be that open in the classroom [and on-campus].”
Which virtual platform should I use?
Zoom
- Video Conferencing Features: Zoom is a widely-used platform primarily focused on video conferencing, offering features like screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms.
- Real-Time Interaction: It allows for real-time interaction through video, audio, and chat, enabling live discussions and immediate feedback.
- User-Friendly Interface: Zoom has an intuitive interface, making it easy for both teachers and students to navigate.
- Recording Options: Zoom provides the ability to record sessions, which can be beneficial for students who need to review the material later or for absentees.
- Integration and Other Tools: It can integrate with other educational tools and learning management systems (LMS), making it convenient for educators who use multiple tools simultaneously.
Class
- Comprehensive Classroom Management: Class App is specifically designed as a classroom management tool, offering features like assignment creation and distribution, grade tracking, attendance management, and communication tools.
- Assignment Management: Educators can create, distribute, and collect assignments digitally, streamlining the workflow and saving time on administrative tasks.
- Grading and Feedback: It offers tools for providing feedback on assignments and grading, helping teachers monitor student progress and provide personalized support.
- User-Friendly Interface: Class App typically has an intuitive interface designed specifically for educational purposes, making it easy for teachers, students, and parents to navigate.
To learn more about the Class app, please visit the FSW Ed Tech Toolkits. As a refresher, see the following instructions on how to access the toolkits.
- On the Canvas global navigation menu to the left of the screen, scroll down to find the Faculty Resources and click to open the menu.
- Click on All Toolkits, which will open a separate window/tab and show you all the various educational resources available for any teaching modality, but especially asynchronous and synchronous remote learning.
- The Toolkits that are relevant to choosing your virtual classroom would include but are not limited to:
- Flex Tech Toolkit
- Class Toolkit
Media Attributions
- College Class with in-person and virtual students
