Thanks to a boom in hybrid and distance learning, teachers have the opportunity to create a more dynamic virtual classroom setup that allows easier access to grades, documents, homework and other teaching tools. Both in-person and virtual students benefit from the tools in online classes, with 57% of K-12 students utilizing digital learning tools daily in 2019, even if they were in a traditional classroom. This might be because eLearning tools can reduce the required time for students to learn the material by 25-60% compared to traditional methods. That means with an efficient virtual classroom setup, your school year can be seamless, successful, and rewarding.
Setting up your virtual classroom
Learn how to create a virtual classroom that maximizes your time with these steps:
- Select a suitable platform
There are MANY learning management systems (LMS) out there, but they’re not all created equal. Research and compare virtual platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Classroom, and consider the features they provide like interactive tools, ease of use and security features. Always remember to check that the platform you choose is compatible with school or district requirements. - Set up your digital space
Once you’ve selected your platform, create virtual accounts and profiles for teachers and students, and organize digital files and resources with consistent naming conventions for easy access and sharing. - Prepare your physical environment
A better physical ambiance can make it easier to stay focused and maximize your time. Optimize your lighting and sound setup with a headset or external microphone and ensure that you have a strong, stable internet connection and bandwidth. Organize your physical space for teaching by eliminating distractions and make it strictly professional to keep you in the right headspace. - Prepare your virtual environment
Customize the virtual classroom interface with backgrounds, layouts and sections, and create naming conventions for different subjects, units, or topics. You can make it easy for students and teachers to stay up-to-date with everything by setting up a virtual bulletin board for announcements, callouts and news updates. - Create a schedule and routine
In order to maximize your time, you need to create–and stick to–a schedule and routine that works for you. Develop a consistent schedule for synchronous (live) and asynchronous (independent) activities with regular breaks to prevent screen fatigue. Communicate this schedule clearly to students and parents and enforce it throughout the year to prevent burnout or unnecessary stress. - Develop clear communication channels
Establish primary methods of communication like emails, messaging apps, or even a digital message board within the platform. Just like your schedule, set expectations for response times and availability, as well as guidelines for virtual etiquette and respectful communication for students, teachers and parents. - Incorporate essential tools
Decide which key features to include in your virtual classrooms to enhance the learning experience and optimize your time, including:-
- Video conferencing
- Webinars
- Interactive whiteboards
- Templates
- Breakout rooms
- Quizzes
- Educational apps
Encourage your students to use these and other multimedia tools to complete projects and assignments. It will teach them new skills while creating a fun learning environment. For our top picks, check out our blog, The top 10 digital tools in the classroom for teachers.
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- Plan for interactivity
With your tools selected, it’s time to see them in action. Use breakout rooms for small group discussions and activities, and implement polls, quizzes and surveys to gauge understanding and maintain engagement throughout the year. Regular Q&A sessions and open office hours are another great way to get and give feedback about what’s working and what may need some adjusting. For tips and tricks on increasing interactivity, check out our blog: How teachers can integrate digital technologies in the classroom. - Establish classroom rules and expectations
It’s important to communicate your expectations up front with a virtual classroom code of conduct that clearly outlines rules regarding participation, attendance and behavior. You can also set your students up for success by discussing academic integrity and online safety practices to follow as they research and interact online. - Provide training and support
Online classrooms may have been around for a while, but the pandemic brought them into the mainstream. This rush to move online may not have prepared everyone to fully grasp what a virtual class is or what’s expected. Offer tutorials and training sessions for students and parents on using the virtual classroom platform with step-by-step guides and FAQs for common tasks and issues. It’s also a great idea to establish a support system for troubleshooting technical difficulties that are inevitable throughout the year. - Monitor and adjust
Time is valuable, so make sure that you and your students are getting the most out of it. During your Q&A or office hours, seek regular feedback from students and parents on the virtual classroom experience. Be flexible and willing to make adjustments based on this feedback as well as the changing needs of your students. With a virtual environment, you have a wealth of tools and strategies at your disposal to help improve and strengthen your virtual learning environment.
Enhancing your online teaching skills
Now that you’ve established a platform and digital space, you can enhance your online teaching skills and maximize learning for your students through communication, engagement and community. Enhance your online teaching skills utilizing:
- Effective communication techniques
- Take your time when giving instruction to make sure that it’s clear and concise for everyone.
- Support your instruction with visual aids and multimedia, and include captions or voiceovers for pre-recorded lessons.
- Actively listen to your students and give feedback in real time (or as quickly as you can).
- Engagement strategies
- Bring your students into the lesson with interactive activities, games, polls, quizzes and breakout rooms, then reward them for their participation.
- Create group assignments that require collaboration and discussion among students.
- Encourage student participation and discussion in a safe environment.
- Build a community
- Establish virtual classroom norms and expectations from the get-go.
- Create a mindful and safe learning environment that encourages participation and fosters confidence.
- Stay on top of things by regularly checking on student progress and comprehension, and adjust your teaching methods based on these results.
Troubleshooting common issues
Technical difficulties and access are the biggest setbacks for online learning. Challenges like low bandwidth and spotty reception to full-on crashes and glitches can make it easy for students to disconnect. But there are a few ways that you can help combat these common issues and prepare students up front:
- Around 32% of students say that they don’t have the proper policies and guidelines for their virtual systems. Set them up for success by providing a comprehensive guide with IT information and digital guidelines to make troubleshooting easier for students and parents.
- Before enrolling, students should verify that they have access to the technology they need to be successful as a distance learner. If they don’t, then ask them to contact the school about assistance options and access.
- Every student and teacher should use a reliable, high-quality internet service provider (ISP) either at home or at a public library.
- Record every lesson so students can reference it later if a tech error occurs.
- Just like in a face-to-face classroom, student behavior should be addressed and monitored.
Conclusion
The global eLearning market is projected to reach $336.98 billion by 2026, which means that virtual classrooms are going to be in high demand. Now’s the time to establish a solid workflow and maximize your efficiency by creating an organized environment, setting expectations up front, and giving your students and parents the information they need to help make the class a fun and successful one.
Helping K–12 teachers maximize time in the virtual classroom
Interested in maximizing time in a virtual classroom environment? ASU Prep Global provides professional development opportunities designed to enhance your skills, ensuring that both you and your students thrive in the digital learning landscape.
Explore flexible online or in-person sessions, like “Thriving as a Digital Teacher,” where participants learn to translate teaching experience to an online environment, digging deeper into best practices of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
Whether you need K–12 digital course licensing or an entire learning management system with teacher training, tech support, digital tools and more, we can customize delivery based on your school or district’s online course needs.
ASU Prep Global partners with other K–12 schools to build new models of educational success, embed early college experiences and provide access to the latest innovative technologies, digital courseware, and professional development. We’re more than a curriculum provider—we’re an innovation partner to top schools and school districts.
We help our partners create high-impact, high-quality digital education that meets the unique needs of their learners and staff. We’re passionate about partnering with school leaders to help innovate learning for K–12 students and educators through Arizona State University-led research, proven effective learning practices, and industry-leading online education technology.
Everything you need to know about maximizing time with the best virtual classroom setup FAQs
How do I arrange a virtual classroom?
Choose your platform, customize the tools, features, and look, and set a consistent schedule. Virtual classrooms are never one-and-done, always take feedback and reassess as needed.
What are the best practices for engaging students in a virtual classroom?
Make it fun and incorporate the students into the lesson through quizzes, videos, polls, and chats.
What equipment is required to set up a virtual classroom?
- A computer, laptop, or tablet
- Strong internet connection
- Headset or headphones, microphone, webcam, or other conferencing tools
How do I master classroom management in a virtual classroom?
Set classroom requirements for students, including what’s expected of them in terms of behavior and participation. Setting and sticking to a schedule and routine will help you navigate your tasks and maximize your time, no matter what the year might throw at you.