{"id":764,"date":"2017-06-28T12:14:18","date_gmt":"2017-06-28T12:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/support.vedamo.com\/?p=764"},"modified":"2022-12-19T13:53:37","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T13:53:37","slug":"features-of-virtual-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vedamo.com\/knowledge\/features-of-virtual-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"VEDAMO\u2019s Virtual Classroom Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to make good use of the opportunities offered by live online tutoring platforms? Read about the pedagogical features of <\/em>VEDAMO\u2019s\u00a0virtual classroom and how to benefit from them.<\/em><\/p>\n

VEDAMO virtual classroom<\/a> is a complete online environment for synchronous learning. Not only do the system functionalities resemble the conditions in the traditional classroom, but they also bring new aspects into the learning process which allow for a new type of quality learning. Thanks to them students can simultaneously look at and listen to the teacher, follow the lesson and illustration of the study content as well as fully participate using different functions, giving and receiving feedback. <\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages of the virtual learning environment are the possibility of saving time and expenses for the classes\u2019 implementation in a real physical environment. Virtual learning spaces require minimal maintenance in order to create the necessary comfort for the participants with the availability of the Internet and a computer only. The virtual learning environment offers possibilities for interactivity which in a real environment would require a more serious investment \u2013 an interactive whiteboard, specialised software, printed materials, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The virtual learning environment offers possibilities for interactivity which in a real environment would require a more serious investment \u2013 an interactive whiteboard, specialised software, printed materials, etc.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Due to the functionalities of the system group learning can be additionally personalised by dividing the main group into small subgroups which will get their own virtual space (a kind of mini-working environment) for group work on an independent task. Thus, a feeling of closeness is created among the participants, which contributes to their socialization and collaboration. Irrespective of their age, sex and social standing all participants in the group have equal rights and that helps group work and improves teamwork. Personalisation of the learning process creates optimal conditions for acquisition and comprehension of the study material by children or adults with different interests, needs and abilities. VEDAMO allows this to happen without interrupting group work and collaboration in the group by working in small groups, which allows for comparison and raises student\u2019s motivation in dealing successfully with the tasks. <\/span><\/p>\n

The virtual learning environment offers the possibility for inclusion in one study session not only participants but observers, too. Thus, psychologists, special needs teaching assistants, educational specialists and others are able to observe the learning process without their presence influencing it. In this way, an absolutely objective assessment of the students\u2019 performance can be achieved and any learning difficulties can be timely and precisely determined. Another opportunity that the role of the observer gives is future teachers\u2019 training and sharing of teaching experience. By lesson observation, the would-be teacher can learn without their presence disturbing the tutor and the learners who do not know him or her. On the other hand, teachers can improve their professional competences by observing their colleagues\u2019 lessons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on their learning aims and planning, learners\u2019 age and the pre-set limits, the number of group participants can vary. In the traditional classroom the typical number of children in one class is between 15 and 30. In adult language courses the typical number of learners in a group is between 10 and 15. For the purposes of the interactive learning, however, and according to participants\u2019 age, the appropriate number of learners in one group is between 6 and 12. This is also the suitable number of learners in a collaborative course whose aim can be to accomplish a common goal, to share opinions, to explain conceptual meanings, or solve situational problems as a team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Example of an ESL session with teenagers in the <\/em>VEDAMO\u00a0virtual classroom:<\/em><\/p>\n