The document discusses virtual learning environments (VLEs) and compares features of three VLE platforms: Scribblar, Wimba Virtual Classroom, and WizIQ Virtual Classroom. Scribblar allows for real-time collaborative editing using a whiteboard, images, text chat and audio. Wimba Virtual Classroom enables live classes with audio, video, application sharing and content display. WizIQ Virtual Classroom provides synchronous learning with video, audio and text chat as well as recording and sharing of classes and presentations. The author argues these platforms can effectively support virtual learning for digital-age students.

1. Mr.M.Deivam
Assistant Professor in ICT in Education
Dept. of Education
Gandhigram Rural Institute – Deemed to be University
Gandhigram, Dindigul district
Tamilnadu- India
Email: deivammuniyandi@gmail.com
Virtual Learning: A New Trend for
Digital Age Learners

2. Introduction
 Virtual Learning (VL) that aim to support learning
and teaching activities across the Internet.
Many educators want to take advantage of the
benefits offered by the Internet to support their
teaching activities.

3. Real Time VLE
 One way is through synchronous learning which is
done in real time. In this type, teachers conduct live
classes, the teacher may communicate with the
students in real-time using video or web
conferencing. This type of communication is typically
used for giving lectures and for question and answer
sessions. Students can communicate through a
microphone, chat, or by writing on the board. Real
time VLE is totally focused around the virtual
classroom.

4. Self-paced learning
 Another way students can take their classes is
through asynchronous learning, which is sometimes
called “self-paced” learning. Independently, students
are expected to complete daily lessons and
assignments through the system. Asynchronous
courses have deadlines just as synchronous courses
do, but each student is learning at his own pace.
Collaboration and communication between teachers,
students and parents is essential and allow for
individualised learning.

5. Term Definition
Breakout Rooms Private meeting sub-rooms that the facilitator creates for small group
work. Participants can have private discussions and collaborate on
the whiteboard or chat.
Chat A feature that allows participants and facilitators to send text
messages in real time to chat publicly or privately with others in the
classroom.
Drawing and Pointer
Tools
A feature that allows the facilitator and participants to graphically
mark up the screen in real time when a slide or whiteboard is
displayed.
Facilitator The main speaker, often a subject matter expert, who leads a virtual
classroom session.
Instant Feedback A feature that allows participants to communicate with facilitators at
any time throughout a virtual classroom by selecting from a menu
of feedback options, such as raise hand, agree, and stepped away.
Also referred to as a raise hand feature, status change, or emotion
indicator.
Poll A feature that allows the facilitator to post questions to participants
and show poll results in real time or after all responses have been

6. Producer The virtual classroom technology expert who partners with the
facilitator to deliver virtual classroom training.
Screen Sharing A feature that allows the facilitator or participant to share their own
screen, a website, or other application, such as Microsoft Excel, with
the class. Also referred to as application sharing.
Voice over Internet
Protocol
(VoIP)
Instead of using a phone, transmitting voice through the Internet
(e.g., Skype).
Whiteboard A feature that allows for capturing of ideas/information by typing,
Highlighting, and drawing tools on a digital whiteboard.

7. Traditional Academic Learning Virtual Learning
Focus of course Group Individual
Focus of content Teacher – Centered Student-centered
Time Scheduled Anytime
Place Classroom Anywhere
Flexibility Standardized (uniform) Customized (adoptable)
Content Stable, durable Dynamic, Transitory
Number of Students Space limited Without limits
Instructor preparation Some (transparencies) Extensive pre-preparation
Distribution of materials Hard copy Electronic download
Interaction Spontaneous Structured
Rage of interactivity Full interactivity Limited interactivity

8. Advantages Disadvantages
Easy online delivery of materials Can become a ‘dumping ground’ for
materials not designed to be delivered online.
Easy to use for both students and lecturers Copyright and IPR of materials need to be
considered.
Widens student access on and off
campus to learning materials and resources
Off campus access to hardware and
networks can be problematic for both
students and educators and raises issues
of equality. Disability legislation and
accessibility to online materials also need to
be considered. See Tech is for guidance
Offers flexible support for educators who do
not need to be in a fixed time or place to support
and communicate with students.
Need to plan online support carefully to
avoid overload.
Has the potential for new ways of learning and
teaching such as active and independent
learning which make use of online
communication, online assessment and
collaborative learning
Such independent learning still needs to be
guided and supported. Appropriate
training and ongoing support is still
needed for both students and educators.

9. Conclusion
 The digital age learners’ maximum spent their time with
online, they would like to study, collect study material from
web. Students are communicating with teachers both
synchronous and asynchronous way. The real time
communications in which multiple users can
simultaneously interact with each other via the Internet to
conduct meetings and seminars, lead discussions, make
presentations and demonstrations, and perform other
functions.
 Virtual classrooms allow students and instructors to
communicate synchronously using features such as audio,
video, text chat, interactive whiteboard, application
sharing, instant polling, emoticons, and breakout
rooms. Hence, virtual learning enhance the traditional
classroom practice, it support online learning, improve the
quality and effectiveness of education, and increase the
acceptability of educational resources. In addition to VL
boon for Digital Age learners, it helps all the way to

10. Paper – II
Mr.M.Deivam, Ph.D Scholar,
Dept. of Education, Gandhigram Rural Institute – Deemed
University,
Gandhigram, Dindigul district – 624 302
Virtual Learning Environments: An
Innovative Pedagogy for Google
Generations

11. Virtual Learning Platforms

12. Scribblar
 Scribblar is web 2.0 online tool and real time
multi-user whiteboard which can be used for
revising artwork and images. The tool can also be
used for creative brainstorming and planning of
projects regardless of distance. Scribblar offer the
possibilities to upload and download image, text,
chat, and live audio collaboration. The tool is also
used by teachers and learning facilities. With
Scribblar allowed to add you own logo and branding.
Guests are allowed to join rooms and sessions
without subscribing.

14. Key Features
 Real time Multi user whiteboard
 Image upload and download
 Text chat
 User List
 Live audio
 Lock and unlock
 Assets : Users are allowed to upload and add assets
from local or online sites;
 Embedding: Users are allowed to embed the whiteboard
in their own site;
 Invite users
 Multiple rooms

15. Wimba Virtual Classroom
 The Wimba Virtual Classroom is a live, virtual
environment with audio, video, application sharing,
and content display. MP4 capabilities provide the
option for students to download the Wimba archives in
either an MP3 or MP4 audio file format. This makes it
possible for the archive to play on devices that can
support these audio file formats.

17. Key Features
 Wimba is a provider of collaborative learning software
applications that bring human interaction into the virtual
classroom through facial expressions, vocal intonations,
hand gesticulation, and real-time discussion (Wimba,
2009a). The features of Horizon Wimba’s Virtual Classroom
are grouped into three categories based on their application:
 (1) discussion and interaction are facilitated by breakout
rooms, emoticons, chats, videos, presentations, polls,
quizzes, and surveys
 (2) instruction and reinforcement are implemented through
the electronic whiteboard, application sharing, and the
content area
 (3) classroom management tools include the ability to
upload and store documents, an auto-populated participant
list, usage details, and archive options. The software can be
integrated into course management systems such as

18. WizIQ Virtual Classroom
 The WizIQ Virtual Classroom expands your teaching
reach beyond a traditional classroom’s four walls.
Reach anyone from working adults to full-time students, no
matter where they are in the world, as long as they can
connect to the web.
 This unique teaching environment lets you deliver media-
rich content, and offers many levels of interactivity.
Synchronous video, audio, and text chat offer ways for
teachers to communicate with students, and students to
collaborate with one another during live classes. Better yet,
record those classes for students who weren’t able to
attend, or create self-paced tutorials they can take at any
time.

20. Key Features
 No downloads: Easy to use for any number of attendees;
 Text chat for easy and effective communication;
 Live audio and video communication for full interactivity;
 Whiteboard tools to write or draw anything;
 Multilingual support in four languages – more coming soon! Interface
available in Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, English, French, Hebrew, Polish,
Persian, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai and Turkish. More coming soon!;
 Intuitive controls to moderate your class: Allow attendees to use the
microphone, webcam, and write on the whiteboard, or let them simply watch
the lecture;
 learning: Record your class as it happens, including presenters’ audio and
video inputs, and multiple whiteboards;
 See the attendee list inside the classroom, and maintain records with
attendance reports: Generate a complete attendance report for your class;
 Get instant feedback with polls: A polling survey for students in the
classroom.

21. Cont.,
 Conduct high-impact presentations: Play audio and
video files instantly, including YouTube videos, and
control playback for all attendees;
 Share anything inside the virtual classroom: Share
documents, your desktop, PowerPoint presentations,
audio files, video files, and more;
 Share your desktop’s screen: Screen sharing is now
Flash-based and runs seamlessly on both the Mac and
Windows;
 Content library – A repository of your content on
WizIQ: Combine a wide range of content – documents,
drawings, e-mail, and spreadsheets – in a single
portfolio to share with students;
 Breakout room for group assignments!: Create any
number of breakout rooms, move students to different
rooms easily;

22. Conclusion
 There are a number of commercial VLE software
packages available, including Blackboard, WebCT,
Lotus LearningSpace, and COSE. Some useful
software’s were discussed above such as Scribblar,
Wimba Virtual Classroom and WizIQ. Each software
has some special and unique features are there. In
the scribblar no webcam facility available, wimba and
WizIQ has webcam facility available, instructor and
students can interact simultaneously. The author
hope, these software’s really very useful to both
teachers and students (Google generation or NET
Generation or Digital Natives or Digital Age or
Information Age or Knowledge Age learners) which is