Successful Teaching In Virtual Classrooms

Abstract

The global growth of online and blended learning programmes has seen an increase in the use of ‘virtual classroom’ (or ‘webinar’) technology in Higher Education. This has meant that the ability to plan and deliver successful virtual classrooms has become an important skill for university teachers. Virtual classrooms provide opportunities for synchronous interactions in online, blended and even traditional face-to-face programmes. Although the delivery of virtual classrooms will be an increasingly common factor in a teacher’s workload, colleagues may have reservations about the use of this form of learning technology. Some will have concerns about the extent to which the technology can facilitate effective interactions, and others may be daunted by the apparent challenges. We have been using virtual classrooms since 2010, and in this chapter we draw on those experiences to explain their opportunities and advantages, providing advice on how best to exploit them while mitigating risks.