Digital Literacy – The virtual classroom

Summary

This script explores the modern concept of virtual classrooms, focusing on webinars as a key tool for distance learning. It explains how webinars allow students and tutors to 'meet' online for live lessons, offering the benefits of traditional classes with the convenience of remote participation. The script outlines the technical requirements for attending a webinar, including a device with internet access and the use of chat or microphone for interaction, and highlights the flexibility that enables a wider range of individuals to pursue education.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script discusses the evolution of learning from traditional university settings to the incorporation of virtual classrooms.
• 🌐 Virtual classrooms, often in the form of webinars, allow students to 'meet' online for live lessons, regardless of their physical location.
• 🏡 The convenience of webinars enables distance learners to participate in classes from home or work, offering flexibility.
• 💻 To attend a webinar, one needs a device with internet access, and a stable connection for streaming video and audio.
• 🔊 'Streaming' refers to receiving and playing media in real time from the internet, unlike downloading, which allows you to keep the content.
• 🔑 Access to a webinar is typically granted through an academic institution's website using a password.
• 📅 Participants must join the webinar at the scheduled date and time, and ensure their audio is working properly.
• 🗨️ Webinars often include a chat or messaging feature for typing in questions, facilitating interaction with the teacher.
• 🎤 Some webinars allow for verbal questions through a microphone, similar to using communication tools like Skype or WhatsApp.
• 🔄 Webinars can be conducted on popular platforms that people already use for personal communication, making the transition to online learning smoother.
• 👋 The script concludes with an invitation to explore webinars for online learning and a farewell until the next session.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the script?

The main topic of the script is learning in a virtual classroom, specifically focusing on webinars as a method of online education.

What has changed in the way students attend classes compared to the past?

In the past, students had to physically attend lecture theatres and seminars. Nowadays, many academic institutions allow students to study online, including attending live lessons remotely through webinars.

What is a virtual classroom?

A virtual classroom is an online environment where distance learning students and tutors 'meet' at a specific time to have a live lesson, often referred to as a webinar.

Why are webinars considered an innovation in education?

Webinars are considered an innovation because they offer the benefits of a physical class while allowing students to attend and participate from anywhere, providing flexibility for those who are busy or live far from educational institutions.

What is required to attend a webinar?

To attend a webinar, one needs access to a computer, smartphone, or tablet connected to the internet, a good internet connection for streaming video and audio, and the ability to log in to the academic institution's website.

What does 'streaming' mean in the context of webinars?

In the context of webinars, 'streaming' refers to receiving and playing media from the internet to your device in real time, without the need to download and keep the video after watching it.

How can participants ask questions during a webinar?

Participants can ask questions during a webinar through a chat or messaging facility by typing in their questions, or sometimes by speaking using a microphone attached to or built into their device.

Are there any popular platforms that can be used to conduct webinars?

Yes, webinars can sometimes take place using popular digital communication platforms like Skype or WhatsApp, which many people already use to keep in touch with friends and family.

How does the script define the flexibility that webinars offer to students?

The script defines the flexibility of webinars as the ability for students to see and hear the teacher, ask questions, and participate in lessons without needing to be physically present at the academic institution.

What is the purpose of the chat or messaging facility during a webinar?

The purpose of the chat or messaging facility during a webinar is to allow participants to type in questions or comments for the teacher, facilitating real-time interaction and engagement in the lesson.

How does the script conclude?

The script concludes by summarizing the introduction to webinars for learning online, expressing hope that the viewer enjoyed the information, and signaling the end of the session with a 'bye bye'.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Virtual Classrooms and Webinars

This paragraph introduces the concept of learning in a virtual classroom, contrasting traditional university experiences with modern online learning options. It explains the term 'webinar' as a live online lesson where students and tutors can interact in real time from different locations. The benefits of webinars include flexibility for distance learners and the ability to participate without physically being present in a classroom. The paragraph also outlines the technical requirements for attending a webinar, such as a device with internet access and the process of joining a webinar through an academic institution's website.

Keywords

💡Virtual Classroom

A virtual classroom refers to an online learning environment where students and tutors interact via the internet. It is central to the video's theme as it represents the modern shift in education from traditional in-person classes to digital platforms. In the script, the virtual classroom is exemplified by the concept of a 'webinar', where students meet online for live lessons despite being physically apart.

💡Webinar

A webinar is a live online seminar or lecture that is conducted in real-time over the internet. It is a key concept in the script, illustrating the way a virtual classroom functions. The script mentions webinars as a means for distance learners to participate in academic lessons without needing to be physically present, highlighting the flexibility and convenience they offer.

💡Distance Learning

Distance learning is a form of education where students take courses and receive instruction from a distance, rather than attending classes in person. The script emphasizes the benefits of distance learning, such as the ability to study from anywhere, which is facilitated by the use of virtual classrooms and webinars.

💡Streaming

Streaming, in the context of the script, refers to the real-time receiving and playing of media content over the internet. It is essential to webinars, as it allows the live transmission of video and audio from the tutor to the students. The script explains that streaming is different from downloading because the content is not permanently saved on the user's device after viewing.

💡Internet Connection

An internet connection is necessary for participating in a webinar, as it facilitates the streaming of content and the interaction between students and tutors. The script highlights the importance of a good internet connection for a smooth webinar experience, as it is required for the transmission of video and audio.

💡Chat or Messaging Facility

In the script, the chat or messaging facility is described as a feature of webinars that allows students to type in questions for the teacher. This feature is crucial for facilitating real-time interaction and engagement in the virtual classroom, enabling students to participate actively in the lesson.

💡Microphone

A microphone is an audio input device that is used in the script to describe how students can ask questions verbally during a webinar. It is an example of the technological tools required for active participation in a virtual classroom, allowing students to speak and be heard by the tutor and other participants.

💡Digital Communication Tools

Digital communication tools, such as Skype or WhatsApp mentioned in the script, are platforms that facilitate voice and video communication. They are relevant to the video's theme as they can be used to conduct webinars, illustrating the integration of everyday technology into the educational process.

💡Flexibility

Flexibility, in the context of the video, refers to the ability of students to attend classes and participate in education without being restricted by geographical location or time. The script discusses how the virtual classroom and webinars provide flexibility, allowing busy individuals or those living far from academic institutions to study.

💡Academic Institutions

Academic institutions are organizations, such as universities or colleges, that provide educational services. The script mentions these institutions as the providers of webinars and virtual classroom experiences, indicating a shift in traditional education models to incorporate online learning options.

💡Log in

Logging in is the process of accessing a computer system or website by entering a username and password. In the script, logging in to an academic institution's website is the first step for a student to join a webinar, demonstrating the digital nature of accessing educational content in a virtual classroom.

Highlights

The evolution of education with the introduction of virtual classrooms for distance learning.

Traditional university experiences involving lecture theatres and in-person seminars.

The modern shift to online learning platforms allowing students to study remotely.

Definition of a virtual classroom as a space for live, online lessons known as webinars.

The convenience of webinars allowing students to participate from different locations.

Benefits of webinars including the same advantages as physical classes without the need for physical presence.

Flexibility of webinars enabling busy individuals and those far from colleges to study.

Technical requirements for attending a webinar: a device with internet access.

The necessity of a stable internet connection for video and audio streaming during webinars.

Explanation of 'streaming' as receiving and playing media in real time from the internet.

Difference between streaming and downloading, with streaming not allowing video retention post-viewing.

Process of joining a webinar through an academic institution's website using a password.

Instructions on preparing for a webinar by ensuring audio output is available.

Features of webinars including chat or messaging facilities for asking questions.

Opportunity to ask questions verbally using a microphone during webinars.

Webinars sometimes utilizing popular platforms like Skype or WhatsApp for communication.

Introduction to webinars as a tool for online learning and the hope for continued engagement.

Closing remarks and sign-off for the educational discussion on webinars.

Transcripts

Good times.

Oh hi,

I'm just taking a walk

down memory lane

and looking at some old photos

of my student days.

Things have changed

a lot for students.

When I was at university,

we had to go to lecture theatres

and attend seminars

with our tutors in their offices.

Now, all of that

still goes on,

but lots of academic institutions

now allow students to

study online

without having to go to a lecture.

That's really useful

for distance learners,

and that's what we are going to

talk about today:

learning in a virtual classroom.

So what do

I mean by a virtual classroom?

Well that is when

distance learning students

and tutors 'meet'

online at a specific time

to have a live lesson.

This is often known

as a 'webinar'.

And it means you have a lesson

live in real time,

but all the people attending

are in different places.

So, why is this such

a great innovation?

Well, just think about it.

A webinar has all the benefits

of a physical class,

but you can attend and participate

from the comfort

of your own home, or place of work.

You see and hear

the teacher and

can ask questions,

but you don't need

to be physically there.

This kind of flexibility

means that lots of people

who are too busy,

or live too far away

from a college, can study

the same as students

who physically attend their academic institutions.

So how does this work?

Well, to attend a webinar

you obviously have to have

access to a computer,

smartphone or tablet

that is connected to the internet.

You probably need a good internet

connection because the webinar

is streaming video and audio

to your computer.

'Streaming'

means 'receiving and playing media

from the internet to your device

in real time', like

you do on video sites

like YouTube and Vimeo.

It's different from

downloading because you

don't get to keep the video

after watching it.

So, to join the webinar

you will need to login

to your academic institution's website using

your password.

Once you are logged in,

you will join the webinar

at the scheduled date

and time.

Don't forget to plug in

your headphones or turn up the volume

so you can hear what

is going on.

Now we know how

you can see and hear the lesson,

but what about asking questions?

Usually, there is a chat

or messaging facility

that allows you to

type in questions for the teacher.

You just write your comment

and send it.

Alternatively, sometimes you may

be able to ask questions by speaking.

For this you will need

to use a microphone attached to or

built into your device.

It's a bit like using

digital communication tools like Skype or WhatsApp.

In fact, sometimes,

webinars can take place

using these popular platforms

that many people already use to

keep in touch with friends and family.

So that's your introduction

to webinars for learning online.

Hope you enjoyed it and see you next time!

Bye bye!