The Virtual Classroom As A Distance Education Tool

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

ABSTRACT:

This research is performed in order to know the advancement of virtual education. Its comparison with traditional education ,applications of virtual education and the topics related to virtual education. This study adds to the growing body of research regarding distance education. It is important to note that a lack of significant difference in final course grades may indicate that one delivery method is not superior to the other. Thus, this study can conclude that virtual education is superior than traditional education.

VIRTUAL EDUCATION:

The processes by which learners learn and teachers teach are about as ever-changing as the seasons. Throughout time, pedagogical researchers have developed new methods for the educational process, but none have been quite as revolutionary or as controversial as e-learning. E-learning, often referred to as distance learning or online learning provides a platform that facilitates learning through communication without requiring a face-to-face contact in the same space and time.[1]

Optimistic commentators see a new world of an educational process: "Every learner can, at his or her own choice of time and place, access a world of multimedia material immediately the learner is

unlocked from the shackles of fixed and rigid schedules, from physical limitation and is release into an information world which reacts to his or her own pace of learning

Virtual education refers to a form of distance learning in which course content is delivered by various Internet methods such as course management applications, multimedia resources, and videoconferencing. Students and instructors communicate via these technologies.

The 12-credit Virtual Education Certificate program teaches you what you need to know about the best practices for online and blended learning. Certified teachers need new skills in virtual online instruction to facilitate a participatory learning environment for K-12 students. Virtual education fosters the development of 21st-century skills and meets the International Society for Technology in Education’s National Educational Standards that address creativity, communication, and interactive learning using technology. The program’s web-based, virtual learning environment gives teachers the knowledge and skills to teach, develop curriculum, and assess student learning in virtual and hybrid learning environments.

The Virtual Education Certificate program, which employs research-based practices for effective virtual online instruction, includes a seminar with student-centered research to test strategies for effective instruction and the opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding best practices in applications for virtual education.

Candidates for the Virtual Education Certificate must have expertise in instructional technology.[2]

The Virtual Classroom as a Distance Education Tool:

The presence of an electronically mediated virtual environment impacts on the educational practices operating within the university. Virtual classrooms currently operate as adjuncts to more conventional distance learning practices ([4]). As a result, the educational practices operating in the virtual classroom are an extension of the educational practices of the 'real world' and do not embrace the full articulation of virtuality that is possible. The traditional and hierarchical organizational structures of universities, and the classroom, when contrasted against the dynamic forms of virtual social space and virtual organizations are less fluid and impede the development of educational possibilities in a virtual environment (John 1996, 190The challenge for educators has been to successfully transform the experience of interactive 'real life' learning environments into a virtual learning environment. This task has seen total electronic environments such as MOOs and MUDs being adapted as the shell or outer construct of a textually driven classroom.

. For example, the conceptual framework of the 'lecture’ and the lecture theatres themselves remove any doubt as to who will provide the information from which the student will then be expected to learn. These rooms maximize the hierarchical position of the lecturer and reinforce the students’ involvement in the machinations of mass education. These relationships construct and reinforce the cultural norms and relationships that hallmark the university and distinguish it from other elements of contemporary society.

PROBLEMS WITH TRADITIONAL EDUCATION:

That said, the traditional classroom does

have some disadvantages when compared to

online instruction. The noisy students in the back of the room can be distracting to other students, just as noise in the hallway might detract from the professor's lecture. Quieter students also may not ever have a chance to participate if there are other students who tend to never give up the floor. Shy or marginalized students may not feel like they should speak up. The online environment is a more level playing field in that everyone can ask a question and be recognized, no matter how "quiet" she is.[1]

And what about the commute? If the weather is bad or the she has a flat tire, the traditional student risks jeopardizing her grade. Some students live on campus to avoid these problems, but then expenses go up due to the cost of a dorm room and meal plan.

ADVANTAGES:

Advocates of Virtual Education are widely criticized on the efficacy of this newly found paradigm to the student's learning success. Though opinions may differ in perspective, Virtual Education promotes remarkable advantage and its effect is obvious - it makes education widely accessible for anyone, even those who lead a full and busy life and could not physically attend school due to variety of reasons. The availability of credible course offerings has given students the ability to earn even an entire degree online. Similarly, adults who are considering a return to continue their education to an institution but are apprehended by the new environment will find virtual education as an option that work effectively for them. This new facet of life highly increases students of acquiring technological skills as they are exposed to the tools used for Web-based learning, computer-based learning typically provided by Internet. This is extremely valuable since computers are becoming prevalent for future employees.[5]

Advocates of virtual learning believe that virtual schools hold advantages including: not being required to attend and travel to face-to-face classes and the integration digital media into the curricula. Virtual schools also give a student the opportunity to stay in school when outside influences would not allow them. Some reasons for this could be extensive absences due to medical reasons, teen pregnancy, or for other reasons. Virtual schools are a great equalizer. No matter what their social, economic, religious, ethnic or physical or mental differences, virtual education gives all students the same opportunity to reach their full potential. Some virtual schools include online study groups in which students interact with each other online. Students are able to meet in these groups.

Current Applications of Virtual Education:

The first type of online education manifested in mid 1900's shortly after the great success of the Internet, and now, allowing today's higher education revolution possible. Recent advances made in technology provided students flexibility along with various of options available for higher education. Coursera, a new leading online-enrollment platform, is now offering education for millions of people around the world. A certification is consigned by Courser a for students who are able to complete an adequate performance in the course. Free online courses are administered by the website- fields like Computer Science, Medicine, Networks and Information; Social HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_science"science are accessibly offered to pursuing students. The lectures are recorded into series of short videos discussing different topics and assignments in a weekly basis. Virtual Education has given direction to a new learning style and assessment.This virtual curriculum complement the curriculum taught in the traditional education setting by providing equality for all students, despite disability, and geographical location and socioeconomic status. MOOC's significant contribution of producing online courses and learning management systems like Blackboard Inc has primarily made education industry, in general, a greater success. It is a developer of learning software used in K-12 schooling and other higher learning institutions.

Private educational organization like Udacity is among of MOOC-type projects that offer free computer science classes with over 20 active courses running online. Other online university-level courses like edX founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University offers wide range of disciplines at no charge. In Addition to that, a number of non-certificate-granting programs like Khan Academy with over 3,900 micro lectures available via YouTube also deliver high quality of free online education for anyone

Conclusion:

It is important that research be done to determine if distance education is as effective as traditional education. The major goal of this study was to determine if distance education is better, worse, or as good as traditional education. The same instructor taught both classes and ensured that the requirements for both classes were the same. Both classes required the use of technology and provided considerable rigor and value to the education process. This study concurs with the general body of knowledge that distance education can be just as good as traditional face-to-face education. No significant differences were found between pre-test scores, homework grades, research paper grades and final course grades. However, there were significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, post-test scores, and final exam scores.[6] Distance education students scored higher in all three categories. Yet, this is not sufficient evidence to conclude that distance education is superior to traditional education. Other factors may have contributed to these results. For example, the distance education delivery method catered to, in part, students' preferred learning styles. They preferred Direct Experience, and the structure of the course allowed for considerable hands-on experience in learning course content. They least preferred Authority, and the structure of the course allowed them the freedom to work independently on course material.