Although they have similar functions, both enabling several people to interact via audio and video link, virtual classrooms and video conferencing do not serve the same purpose. Uses, functions, integrated tools, and objectives: discover all the differences between virtual classroom and video conferencing software.
What is video conferencing software?
To understand the difference between virtual classroom and video conferencing software, it can be interesting to take a closer look at their features.
Video conferencing is similar to a telephone conversation in which you can also see the person(s) you are speaking to via video link. Already well-established, particularly in professional circles, this means of communication really took off during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Video conferencing software offers several advantages. It provides excellent audio and video quality, ensuring smooth interaction that will not interfere with your meetings or work sessions. More simply put, you only need a computer, microphone and webcam to interact with your colleagues.
It is usually possible to screen share, which makes it easier for participants to exchange information. So, it is not surprising that video conferencing is widely used. Easier to organise than a face-to-face meeting, it bypasses geographic constraints while offering high-quality functions for project presentation.
Further reading: Online meetings: what are the advantages?
What is a virtual classroom?
The main difference between a video conference and a virtual classroom is that the latter, as its name suggests, fulfils a learning objective, and was designed for teaching or training purposes.
While a video conference enables you to implicate your audience, usually through questions and answers, a virtual classroom requires a high level of dialogue between participants, and therefore a great deal of interaction. Virtual classroom software must therefore offer more than the classic functions of a video conference or webinar, for example. These additional functions encourage dialogue and interaction, and enhance learning and teaching conditions.
Further reading: How can you give an effective virtual class?
For the best possible results, you cannot settle for a simple video conferencing tool. You must strive to recreate traditional classroom conditions. To achieve this, virtual classroom software offers several additional tools, on top of the webcam and microphone functions:
- whiteboard;
- co-creation tools;
- surveys;
- splitting the class into work sub-groups;
- screen sharing
- working together on various formats of content (Word, PDF, PowerPoint documents, audio and video files, etc.);
- monitoring attention and participation.
On top of all these functions, virtual classroom software is usually designed to be practical. Enhanced ergonomics, gaming functions to make learning more fun: tools are designed to meet students’ needs in the most simple, intuitive, effective, and realistic manner. An effective way to establish the ideal conditions and appropriate activities for top-quality learning, whether for in-company training or for a class of students.
It is worth noting that to complete your virtual classroom tool, you can connect it to a Learning Management System (LMS) platform. This enables you to offer all the training programmes you have created in one easy step.
Further reading: 3 common preconceptions regarding the virtual classroom
Glowbl offers an innovative virtual classroom solution. To find out more, please contact the Glowbl team.
