https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6021-521X
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Abstract
This study explains the emergence of virtual classrooms as an online language learning (OLL) instruction method. There is clarification of how virtual classroom systems operate, followed by a discussion of the benefits of learning in these environments. Private corporations are capitalizing on OLL and generating an estimated global gross income of 86 billion USD. While these corporations likely create quality educational materials that are of interest to the student, the materials presented in these platforms are currently not regulated, and, while some companies follow CEFR guidelines, there is no guarantee whether they meet the standards of education boards in the public sector. We surveyed 35 OLL teachers who teach English in virtual classrooms for their perceptions and opinions in working in this environment. Not only did we discover that over 50 percent of the online teachers who participated have also been students, which is of interest because they have both teaching and learning experience in virtual classrooms, but also that these teachers generally believe that teaching English online in virtual classrooms creates a positive teaching environment for both the teacher and the student. The participants generally feel they get to know the students better in virtual classrooms than in other teaching environments. The teachers also perceive that students in virtual classrooms learn at the same rate or faster than in traditional classrooms and that, not only would they like to see more subjects offered online, but they also generally believe that online learning in virtual classrooms may be an alternative learning method to replace traditional classroom learning and home-schooling in most subjects. Continued attention should be paid to the educational opportunities in virtual classrooms, not just for OLL, but for the emergence of other curricula as well.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 An example of online virtual classrooms using a whiteboard can be found on the LearnCube site. LearnCube is a company that creates online platforms for education companies. https://www.learncube.com/
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Marni Manegre
Marni Manegre is a lecturer, online language educator, and doctoral candidate in the Department of Pedagogy, Education and Technology, Computer Assisted Language Learning at the Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Spain. She completed both her Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. She has previous research experience with the Linguistics Department and Psychology Department of the University of Alberta and with the Psychology Department of Athabasca University. Ms. Manegre has over a decade of digital media experience and has previously held positions as a Senior Sales Manager and Digital Media Consultant with major media brands in Canada, such as eBay Canada and Yellow Pages Group Ltd.
Kashif Ali Sabiri
Kashif Ali Sabiri is program coordinator, instructor, and teacher of English at the University of Buraimi, Oman, and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Pedagogy at the Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Spain. He completed both his Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts at the University of the Punjab, Lahore Punjab, Pakistan. Mr. Sabiri is an affiliated member with The Association of Language Testers in Europe and a member of the TESOL International Association. He has received his CELTA from the University of Cambridge along with his certifications in IOSH from the National Training Institute LLC – STC, Oman and CIPP from the Cambridge University Primary Programme.