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Indiana University

Faculty and Staff

What Are Virtual Classrooms?

Virtual classrooms allow individuals to meet simultaneously using a computer, webcam, microphone, and broadband Internet connection without the need to be in the same physical room, although some virtual classrooms also include individuals using a video conferencing system in a conference room to communicate with those at a distance. Distance-accessible courses use virtual classrooms for educators, learners, and guests to interact in real time (synchronously) with both video and audio. Videoconferencing may be used as the virtual classroom itself or may be used in conjunction with a course management system such as Oncourse CL.

Virtual classroom options at Indiana University used by the School of Nursing include:

  • Video systems installed in videoconference rooms
  • Tandberg's Movi system

You can learn more about the hardware and software requirements for each of these options in the links on the right.

For more information about which of these options your course may use for collaboration and synchronous (real time) class meetings, contact your instructor.