Virtual Classroom Software: What You Need to Know

Online learning and virtual classrooms had started to gain traction across the globe quite a while ago. However, the coronavirus pandemic put a massive spotlight on the phenomenon. This is because the world turned to them to ensure continuity of education with the global population being confined to their homes and unable to attend classes in traditional classrooms. And the thing about this change is that it is here to stay, which means more and more people are now beginning to embrace it — starting from educational institutions to parents and students, everyone is now more open to the idea.

Considering the growing acceptance for virtual classrooms, it is not surprising to see more and more entities in the education sector rushing to brace this advanced form of learning. While the newfound spirit and enthusiasm for online learning and virtual classrooms is decidedly appreciable, the truth remains that one must not dive into the world of virtual classrooms without carefully strategizing the decision. And what would that involve? Things like closely scrutinizing the list of features the solution has to offer and the cost involved.

So, to help make this process a tad easy for you, we put together a list of some must-have features of a virtual classroom solution and what you can expect to pay for them.

1. Whiteboard for collaboration: For any learning method to be successful, collaboration with teachers and fellow learners is necessary. And you know what can help with that in a virtual classroom? Collaborative whiteboards that are able to simulate the experience of working with a real whiteboard. But be sure that this feature is compatible across all platforms and devices. As for how much you can expect to pay for this feature’s development — in the vicinity of $7,000.

2. Sharing notes and content: A class can’t be a class unless the teacher can share learning materials and notes with students. This extends to virtual classrooms too, of course. However, this feature in this context brings the added benefit of safeguarding such materials, ensuring only authorized students and teachers can access it. The cost of integrating such a part in your virtual classroom will start somewhere around $15,000.

3. Screen sharing: Often, students are unable to access requisite materials for a variety of reasons. In such a scenario, teachers can share said materials with the classroom via screen sharing. Make sure the solution you opt for also has sub-features such as zooming, etc. Developed as a part of the audio and video communication module, this one can cost nearly $15,000 to produce.

It is clear as day to see that any educational entity that intends to remain successful in such an environment, i.e. where the market and demand continue to evolve, must take up a virtual classroom software solution. So, go ahead and find a trusted vendor for it right away!