What is Virtual Learning?

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Virtual learning represents the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to support learning. As such, it’s a form of e-learning. The term virtual learning focuses on the technological medium as opposed to other forms of online training such as webinars and videos. However, like those other forms of online training, virtual learning can cover a wide range of topics, from finance to IT.

Virtual learning also tends to focus on the use of Internet technologies such as virtual collaboration tools, wikis and other social media to enable learning in online communities. However, while these technologies are important elements in virtual learning, they should not be viewed as defining features. Virtual learning can take place without them, just as face-to-face learning does.

Basic Characteristics of Virtual Learning

1. Learning is facilitated via Internet technologies such as virtual collaboration tools, wikis and other social media.

2. The learning is supported by online communities that provide a forum for discussions and exchanges among learners and their mentors or facilitators that promote shared knowledge development and sharing feelings among members.

3. Learners follow their own path through the learning materials and activities at their own pace, in a self-regulated way.

4. Learners are offered the opportunity to engage in study groups to deepen their knowledge and explore specific topics further through discussions with other learners.

5. The community offers opportunities for learners to share information about what they have learned and how they did it with each other.

6. The community also offers opportunities for learners to share information about their experiences and feelings with each other, as a way of developing a sense of group identity.

7. Participants have the opportunity to collaborate in a virtual team to tackle a project or problem requiring knowledge from different subject areas or perspectives.

Top Benefits of Virtual Learning

The potential benefits of virtual learning that attract many organisations and individuals include:

• Increased flexibility in work and educational schedules.
• Access to course material from any computer with an Internet connection.
• Reduced need for travel time and costs.
• Ability to reduce the classroom size while keeping a good student/instructor ratio.

Also Read: What is Virtual Instructor Led Training?

Top Technologies for Virtual Learning

Virtual learning can be most effective when it is supported by the right technology. Technology should provide the ways and means for learners to communicate with one another, share content and work together online. So what are these technologies? Here’s a top list:

• Virtual collaboration tools, which include forums, wikis, blogs and social networking tools.
• Video conferencing tools, such as Skype, NetMeeting and Adobe Connect Pro.
• Virtual whiteboards to support brainstorming sessions with learners.

Conclusion

Virtual learning can take many forms, from courses delivered entirely online without any face-to-face contact between students and their instructors to fully interactive courses where learners meet virtually to work together on projects. Virtual learning is not the only way of teaching online, but it does have some important advantages.