Class timing
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- Schedule is fixed and pre-decided. Students and teachers have little say in this decision.
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- Schedule can be flexible, according to the needs of both teacher and students.
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- Class duration is fixed and usually not extendable, as the next class waits to use the classroom.
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- Class duration is easily extendable, instructor and student time permitting.
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- While extra classes can be scheduled, they’re often impractical and usually result in low attendance
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- Schedule extra classes at your convenient time and study from the luxury of home.
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Learner groups
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- Students can be a homogenous group, sharing overlapping social circles and customs.
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- Students can be a heterogeneous group, even global, with a variety of non-intersecting (and perhaps conflicting) social circles and customs.
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- Students typically fall within a similar age, profession, or academic background.
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- Student composition may vary greatly in age, profession, and academic background.
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Teaching methodology
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- Classes are typically teacher–driven and teacher-centric.
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- Classes can be technology-driven and learner-centric, with the teacher as a facilitator. Teachers have better teaching tools to effectively engage learners. Virtual classrooms allow students more freedom to create, experiment, explore and steer the class. This freedom can produce improved student performance.
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- Traditional teaching tools are used, such as lecture notes, charts, blackboard writing, showing physical models, laboratory experiments, etc
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- Modern teaching tools are used, such as multimedia, animation, 3D modeling, virtual, etc.
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- Learning environment can be dull and fun in class is kept to a minimum to avoid disciplinary issues.*
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- Learning environment can be stimulating and fun. Moderation tools allow the teacher to easily control the class, just in case things get out of hand!
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Collaboration in learning
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- Teacher and students collaborate in the physical classroom.
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- Teachers and students collaborate online via audio, video, and text chat.
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- It’s hard to address the needs of different levels of learners in a single class. If there aren’t additional resources available for groups such as slower or gifted students, they often have to make do with a one-size-fits-all average class.
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- It’s easier to work with different learner types. Divide a single virtual classroom into breakout sessions, and let students of different levels work at their own pace, while the teacher moderates and facilitates.
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- Usually one teacher per class. Difficult to bring in guest speakers due to physical and travel constraints.
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- Easier to involve multiple teachers, and to bring in guest speakers from anywhere in the world.
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- Mostly single subject learning due to space and scheduling constraints.
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- Inter-disciplinary and off-beat subjects easy to teach and learn, thanks to lack of space and fewer scheduling constraints.
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Evaluation
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- Evaluation involves taking tests, and handing in manually-graded assignments. Time-consuming and results are slow.
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- Automated evaluation conducted through online tests. Results are quick, accurate, and completely transparent. Generate feedback through online polls and immediate results so that further class learning is steered accordingly.
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Recording
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- Class is held, and if you forget to note something down or can’t attend, you’ve missed it.
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- Classes are recorded, including audio, video and even screen. Students can review the instructor’s exact explanation and methods, and administrators can review both the instructor’s and students’ performance.
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Common distractions
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- Common distractions include breaks, student interruptions, and administrative details.
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- Common distractions include internet problems, and students indulging in other online activities.
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Cost
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- Setting up classroom infrastructure is expensive.
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- A computer, a basic Internet connection, a headphone, and a web camera (optional) are less expensive.
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- Buses, cars, and other travel methods have to be engaged to get students to and from school.
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- No travel costs. Teach and learn from anywhere.
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- Difficult for professionals to attend courses for professional development, due to work and other commitments making it impossible to find something that fits their schedule and location.
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- Professionals can take classes from home, anytime (even late nights or early mornings). Technology Based Training (TBT) yields a time savings of 35-45% over traditional classroom instruction.
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- Classrooms need water, electricity, etc.
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- Virtual Classroom is green teaching, saves paper, and any other such costs.
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- Overhead results in high fees for a course in a physical school.
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- Classes conducted in virtual classrooms are comparatively cheaper, as much as 80% Classes conducted in virtual classrooms are comparatively cheaper, as much as 80%.
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