How Do You Create A Virtual Learning Model?

The teacher must create and post the material for a virtual learning activity on the Internet.  This can be as simple as a single web page with directions, resource links, and due dates to a more complicated set of web pages that becomes a mini site in itself.   These pages can reside on a local school server, on free personal web page sites, or if your school connects to the Internet via an ISP, on their server.  The teacher must define the scope of the project and explain his/her expectations of the students.  If the activity or project is a collaborative effort between two or more teachers, they must decide on project leadership, individual as well as team repsonsibilites, and how the project goals/outcomes will be measured and evaluated.

This module includes activities to get you started on creating and implementing virutal learning activities.
 

Unstructured Learning Environments

Unlike traditional classrooms, virtual learning activities often occur in unstructured environments.  Students can access the material over the Web at any time of day or night.  Even while working in class, the student needs to have a certain amount of self discipline to stay on task with the virtual lesson and avoid other distracting activities such as idle Web surfing.  While the teacher has no control over the students tindidibual time spent outside of class on the virtual learning activity , an engaging project will motivate students to check their email, post messages, and work on specifically assigned tasks on their own.  Virtual activities and projects actually provide students with a sense of owenrship which increases self esteem and fosters self motivation. 

What Does A Virtual Learning Activity Consist Of?

 A virtual learning activity can be as simple as students visiting a web page posted by the teacher to receive instructions for the assignment.  These instructions could then require the students to perform assigned readings, conduct library research, compile resources gained from surfing the Net, notate research material from CD-ROMs, and other research resources.  The final result of the activity may be students posting their research papers on the Internet with a brief page describing what they learned.  The teacher can also use this model to post homework assignments, gather student/parental feedback,  and archive past unit material and lessons. 

Project based virtual learning activities will require more time on the part of the teacher(s) involved.  The scope of the project should be defined with clear outcomes and objectives.  A realistic time frame needs to be established that outlines how much class time will be devoted to the virtual learning project as well as how many outside classroom hours will be expected by students.  The length of the project also needs to be defined.  Activities on this level usually work best if done over an entire semester.  Some projects can even be ongoing throughout the entire school year. 

These Web sites conduct year-round virtual classroom activities and can provide you with examples of online learning projects and information on building projects that foster teacher/student collaboration on a global level.

What Tools & Software Are Needed?
 

The following hardware and software tools are needed to create the basic foundation of virtual classroom activities and projects:

• Computers with Internet access
• Web browsers:  Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer versions 4.0 or later
• Local Web Server or ISP (Internet Service Provider)  with FTP/Telnet Access
• Student email accounts
• Discussion Boards 
• Instant Messaging Software
• Controlled Chat Environment

• Video Conferencing Software
• Mini Video Webcams
• Scanners & Digital Cameras
• Photo Imaging and Manipulation Software
• Video Camcorders
• Computer Based Video Editing Software
• Interactive Multimedia Software