Virtual classroom software for schools: Best practices to deliver effective learning remotely

Navigating the new education landscape: Key priorities

Before getting into the specifics around virtual classroom software, it’s helpful to outline some of the government’s ambitious plans, and how they feed into this conversation. In particular, we look at their stance on post-16 education and their focus on empowering learners in the digital age.

Enhancing post-16 education

The core of the government's strategy to elevate post-16 education lies in the introduction of T Levels, a suite of technical qualifications. These credentials are designed to narrow the divide between academic and vocational routes, providing students with a combination of theoretical understanding and practical skills in harmony with the demands of real-world employment.

In a recent study conducted by the Education Policy Institute, it was found that 78% of employers express confidence in T Levels' ability to effectively prepare students for the professional landscape. This represents a noteworthy stride in guaranteeing that our youth possesses the necessary skills to flourish in the modern economy.

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Digital literacy and empowering learners in the digital age

Another core focus lies in providing students with adequate digital literacy, which is essential for success in education, work, and in everyday life.

The government is dedicated to integrating digital literacy throughout the curriculum, guaranteeing that every student gains the necessary skills to navigate the digital world with confidence. As indicated by Ofcom’s Media Literacy Annual Report, 99% of individuals aged 15-19 in the UK have internet access, underscoring the pervasive influence of digital technologies in our society.

By instilling digital literacy in our students, we are arming them with the capabilities essential for a future where technology assumes an increasingly pivotal role.

Now, lets get into the specifics around delivering effective learning with virtual classroom software.

Getting it right: Choosing the best virtual classroom software for your school

Selecting the right virtual classroom software will ensure you’re laying the foundation for a successful online learning experience. Considerations should go beyond the immediate functionalities and align with the long-term goals of your school/academy.

Key features, budget considerations, and security measures should be at the forefront of this decision-making process.

Key features to look for in educational software

In our experience working alongside educators, we’ve found that teaching professionals find success with software that easily integrates with existing platforms. Nearly all state secondary schools use either Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom as their online learning environment of choice.

When choosing virtual learning tools, it's crucial to pick ones that work smoothly with your current tech setup. Take GCSEPod as an example – it easily connects with Google Classroom and Teams, letting teachers effortlessly share learning materials between platforms.

To find out more, watch the video below:

Other key feature of educational software to support virtual learning include:

• Engaging curriculum content
• Assessment materials
• Ready-made assignments
• Accessibility tools for differentiated learning

Budget considerations for schools

Understanding the budget constraints that schools often face, it's crucial to choose virtual classroom software that balances affordability with functionality. When researching software, take advantage of free offers and trials to sample the platform before committing to a purchase.

For instance, GCSEPod's free STEM program provides access to all STEM subjects for Years 10 & 11 until July 31, 2024, along with a nine-week impact program showcasing the significant effect GCSEPod can have on students' attainment in STEM. Find out more here.

Initiatives like this enable you to gauge the return on investment (ROI) of investing in virtual classroom software before committing to expensive contracts.

Evaluating security and privacy features

Given that virtual classroom software operates on cloud-based technology, we recognise the significance of ensuring robust security and privacy measures. It is imperative for schools to prioritise software solutions that place a high emphasis on data protection.

This ensures not only a technologically advanced learning environment but also guarantees the safety and confidentiality of sensitive information.

Look for software that incorporates:

• Advanced encryption protocols
• Secure user authentication mechanisms
• Stringent data access controls

This will provide a comprehensive shield against potential cyber threats, safeguarding the privacy of both educators and students.

This commitment to data security is fundamental in fostering a secure and conducive virtual learning space.

Engage your students: Designing interactive learning environments in the virtual classroom

Once your chosen software is in place, the focus shifts to designing engaging virtual classrooms that captivate students' attention and foster active participation.

Creating interactive virtual classrooms

Successful virtual classrooms thrive on interactive features. Choose a platform that's not just interactive but designed to keep students engaged, making potentially dry subject areas more interesting.

Take GCSEPod, for instance – their Check & Challenge tool offers quizzes and support to assess knowledge gaps, personalised to each student's needs. This instant feedback ensures students aren't left waiting for responses.

Engaging students in the content they are learning improves knowledge retention and helps them perform better in exams.

Incorporating multimedia and educational tools

A diverse range of multimedia and educational tools is essential for keeping students engaged. However, you need to strike the right balance here. By relying too heavily on multimedia devices, you run the risk of complacency and a lack of spontaneity that is often sparked in the classroom through human interaction.

GCSEPod’s exam-board specific video content (or pods, as they’re referred to), are delivered in short 3-5 minute learning bursts, making them ideal for lesson starters and/or plenaries and even homework assignments, whilst not diverting away from the core fundamentals of face-to-face classroom interaction.

Your chosen software should have features that enrich lessons with the right amount of multimedia content, making learning a dynamic and immersive experience.

Structuring virtual lessons for engagement

Effective lesson structures are critical in virtual environments. In other words, your virtual learning needs to align with your curriculum/topic areas.

You should opt for a platform that aligns seamlessly with your school curriculum, helping your educators maintain a well-organised and engaging virtual classroom, whilst adhering to the performance standards as set by your school.

When researching platforms to support your virtual classroom, look for those that are proven to boost attainment within GCSE. For example, users of GCSEPod achieve, on average, one grade higher in their results than non-users.

Supporting students and teachers in the virtual classroom

The success of virtual classrooms depends on the support provided to both students and teachers.

Providing teacher training and support

When utilising a software, ongoing teacher training and support will ensure the platform is used to the best of its ability.

Select a software that offers comprehensive resources and assistance, ensuring your team are well-equipped to use the software effectively.

Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity

Your virtual classroom software should not be a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Even when classrooms are designed around ability groups, you will still get a range of learning styles. Therefore, you will need a solution that adapts to the individual needs of each pupil in your classroom.

Your chosen software should incorporate formative assessment, algorithms and AI tailored to customise the learning journey according to the unique strengths and weaknesses of each student.

This may involve evaluating a student's quiz performance to pinpoint challenging areas and subsequently offering specific feedback or learning materials to address those knowledge gaps.

GCSEPod's user-friendly interface and diverse content cater to various learning styles, promoting inclusivity in your virtual classrooms.

For a detailed review of our GCSE revision software, GCSEPod, click here.

Measuring success: Evaluating performance of your virtual classroom software

Continuous evaluation is essential to ensure that virtual classrooms are achieving their intended outcomes.

Implementing effective assessment and feedback

The ability to conduct assessments and provide timely feedback is crucial within your virtual classroom software. GCSEPod's assessment features enhance this process, with the built-in assessment tools, which can help teachers understand the strengths and weaknesses of their students faster.

Once identified, targeted support can be provided, facilitating accelerated student progress.

Using data for continuous improvement

Drawing insights from data is a proven method for continuous improvement. Your chosen virtual learning software should provide analytics and reporting tools, empowering you to refine your teaching strategies based on real-time data.

Measuring student success and learning gains

Ultimately, the success of virtual classrooms is measured by student achievement. GCSEPod's impact on student performance is evident, with measurable learning gains reported by educators who integrate the platform into their virtual classrooms.

In this video, you can hear from the educators at Ferndown Upper School on how they measure student success and learning gains with GCSEPod:

How our virtual classroom software can help

In the broader context of this article, it's essential to highlight how GCSEPod's virtual classroom feature specifically contributes to an enriched learning experience.

There are four ways you can integrate GCSEPod with Google Classroom:

• A single pod to zone students in on a specific area
• A playlist of pods covering everything your students need to know about a whole topic
• A ‘Check & Challenge’ assessment so students can independently test their knowledge
• An assignment built to measure progress and provide teacher insights

In conclusion, the journey to effective virtual classrooms involves thoughtful software selection, engaging design, robust support, and continuous evaluation. By subtly integrating GCSEPod's capabilities into this narrative, we emphasise its role as a valuable tool in achieving successful virtual learning experiences. To find out more, view our product page and pricing page.