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The Best Virtual Classroom Software for Online Teaching

Ready to learn more about what the best software for online teaching should do for your classroom?

Classavo
June 9, 2022

It is essential that professors stay abreast of the changes and transitions in educational technology that affect the classroom. Remaining flexible and adapting to the changing landscape of the classroom is just one of the many skills an online professor should have. Today's students have grown up with rapidly evolving technology at their fingertips, so they are well-equipped to navigate and manage educational technology. When professors incorporate software for online teaching into their courses, it is likely going to be a natural transition to college for most students. 

Why Online Teaching is Here to Stay

It’s no secret that educational technology has transformed the way teachers operate their classrooms, and different forms of online learning have been rising in prominence in the last couple of decades. However, in the midst of a pandemic, schools and universities had to make quick and drastic changes to accommodate their students. As a result, many educators were thrust into virtual teaching yet found it more accessible than they expected. In addition, students realized that online learning was a very viable form of education and not just for temporary or extenuating circumstances. Even as traditional classrooms welcomed students back, the unprecedented changes that came about due to necessity have forever changed the way educators view the possibilities of the virtual classroom in the future.

EdTech and the future are undeniably linked as many universities are seeing a permanent transition to blended learning. . Classroom models vary greatly now due to the capabilities of educational technology. Blended learning offers the best of both worlds by combining the traditional classroom experience with all of the benefits of the online classroom. The traditional classroom allows students to take a lab in person, give presentations and receive live feedback, or participate in group projects. The online classroom, on the other hand, makes it easier to watch lectures on their own time, submit papers even when they can't get to campus, or engage in virtual reality modules. Students often have more freedom and flexibility when blended learning is an option, making their college experience more manageable and enjoyable. 

How Has Virtual Learning Fallen Short?

Virtual learning, with all of its benefits, does still present challenges. Some common challenges with online learning that educators and learners must navigate in the virtual classroom include: 

  • Loss of Motivation: Some students may not be as motivated to start their coursework when their bedroom is doubling up as their classroom 
  • Reduced Peer Interactions: The online classroom does not necessarily promote the social aspect of the physical classroom that encourages debates, group projects, and developing friendships 
  • Technical Issues: With increased technology use comes the potential for more technical issues. Sometimes it is a minor glitch, poor internet connections, or power outages. Still, students and professors need to communicate effectively to work through any issues. 

What Should Software for Online Teaching Actually Achieve?

When choosing software for a course, or even for an entire institution, educators need to do a thorough assessment to make sure it can meet the needs of both the professors and the students. An overview of virtual classrooms will help educators identify the key elements they need in an online learning platform:

  • Intuitive and Easy to Navigate: Software needs to be easy to use so that professors can create their courses without hassle, and students can participate without frustration 
  • Encourage Student Interaction: Students should be easily engaged and prompted to join in group chats, take quizzes, and use learning modules 
  • Tracking and Analytics: A good program should do more than track grades – it should help educators track student progress and engagement to more easily monitor the course 

Some of Our Favorite Classavo Features

As an all-in-one learning platform, Classavo has numerous features that make it intuitive for educators to facilitate their courses and engage students with the material. 

Seeing Your Class at a Glance

Classavo understands the need for professors to access their courses from anywhere, at any time. All courses are fully accessible from computers, tablets, and smartphones. Professors can easily track attendance with unique join codes and the geolocation tool. Do you want to know how long students spend on a specific topic? The data-driven analytics allow educators to monitor student engagement and interaction with course materials. This information is readily available throughout the entire semester, which makes it easy to adapt as necessary. 

Keeping Textbook Content Up-To-Date 

Dynamic textbooks allow professors to edit the text to keep it up-to-date with current trends and statistics. You can add links to relevant articles or podcasts or include other interactive elements like photographs and videos. A customized textbook makes it more interesting and more likely to engage your students on different levels. For example, the inclusion of various media will stimulate audio-visual learners and help break up the monotony of long or difficult text passages. 

Integrates With Your Existing LMS

The Classavo grade book is designed to seamlessly integrate with your institution's learning management system. This makes it easy to end the semester without the added task of manually entering grades. 

Allows You to Self-Publish Your Own Textbook

Publishing your own textbook allows you to bring your experience and knowledge into an easily-accessible format for students and other professors. You can customize and create exactly what you need for your courses while making the text interactive and engaging for your students. Real-time revisions mean your text is always current and relevant. 

Software for online teaching should elevate your classroom and help students learn in ways that work best for them.

The flexibility of Classavo makes it easy for educators to use and implement in the classroom. The unique features and tools make it engaging for students and easy for professors to monitor their students' progress. As EdTech continues to change the direction of education, embracing those changes will bring positive results for everyone involved. Classavo is free for professors, so contact us to learn more or schedule a demo today. 

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