It appears that virtual training is on the rise, as seen by the recent success of Covid-19. For the foreseeable future, new social distance laws will impact our daily lives. Numerous video conferencing and collaboration apps have recently debuted in the media, but their actual usefulness has been a bit cloudy. Privacy and user growth are often the only topics covered in the media. In order to figure out which video conferencing programme is best for a certain business circumstance, we examined five popular apps.
It’s no surprise that these applications are in the spotlight right now because they all contain the typical functionality for video conferencing and online meetings. The interface, ease of use, functionality, and price are all different. We’ll go over them in detail below.
How to train for a virtual classroom?
Before diving into the specifics of virtual training, it may be helpful to define what it is. In this strategy, a trainer/coach uses a virtual environment to demonstrate, explain, and teach specific abilities in order to assist others in their learning. Using a virtual platform like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, virtual training or Virtual Instructor-Led Teaching effectively duplicates the foundations of face-to-face training.
Logging up to the chosen platform, the trainer/coach and their participants can be done from different locations. Because it is a live workshop, all of the participants may see and hear each other at the same time.
Virtual workshops are a lot more interactive than their real-world counterparts. It is possible for individuals to participate in discussions and offer their own knowledge. They may also practise their communication skills and seek for clarification. Great VILT classes should be more than just a lecture. They should be a conversation between participants.
As a rule, the length of a virtual workshop ranges from 60 to 180 minutes, and they are often integrated with other forms of training, such as face–to–face or online features, such as e-learning or webinars.
Test your equipment and programs BEFORE class
Don’t forget to test all of your electronics, including your monitor, headphones, and microphone, before the start of class.
Adjust your space
Ensure that your graphics are as neutral and unobtrusive as possible prior to the class or meeting. You should always check your camera to make sure that you are in a clean, straight line of sight and demonstrating proper posture, with your head and shoulders firmly positioned on the screen.
Mute all participants
The mute button is a lifesaver in a crowded online classroom. During lectures and when other students are asking questions, try to keep your phone on silent. You can make the complete class silent by using the Mute functionality as well.
Record the class
A class recording is a method by which lectures are recorded for later use. Schools and institutions, faced with shrinking educational budgets, are increasingly using digital learning technologies to accommodate a wider range of pupils. Students benefit from having their classes recorded so they don’t miss anything.
Involve your students
Participate in as many activities as you can. Take notes, ask questions, and respond to class questions when asked. The chat tool should be used with caution. If you need assistance, have a quick question answered, or want to comment on something another student said, this is the place to do it.
Use all the functions of the program
It is important to use the different functions of the Virtual Classroom Program in an effective manner.
Microsoft Teams
Even today, video conferencing with Skype for Business is a common occurrence. With that said, Skype is quickly being phased out in favour of Microsoft Teams, the collaboration programme that is included in all Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Businesses with more than a few employees may benefit from using teams.
Features
A chat tool, as well as an all-in-one video conferencing solution, is included in the Teams package. Our attention is drawn to the video conferencing functionality, which is common to many other apps. However, some features stand out: for example, users can choose which video feed is displayed during the call and that feed can then be set on the screen. This is a unique feature. Multiple feeds can be displayed, as in a video conference, when both the administrator and a speaker can be shown. Additionally, if there is an issue with the connection, you can use a feature that assures you are visible when you raise your arm to attract attention to it.
Teams is still being worked on by Microsoft. The noise reduction quality has recently been increased, a Tasks app has been introduced, multiple accounts may now be logged in and a data saver has been added to the Android app.
Spațiul de lucru Google
Google Chat and Google Meet are both available to you if you have a Google Account. The service used to be named Hangouts until about a year ago, but now it’s called something else. Google’s office package, G Suite, includes both Meet and Chat as basic features. In the same way that Microsoft Teams is integrated into Office, so is this. It’s best to use Google Meet if you have a subscription to G Suite (and Chat).
Features
The camera and microphone can be turned on and off using the regular buttons on the device during video conversations. Additionally, you can share your entire screen or just a single application window. More choices can be found in the menu at the bottom right, including full-screen mode and the ability to alter the layout. Turning on captions is an unusual experience, since it displays a straight transcription of the speaker who is currently speaking. In theory, you could understand what was being said without hearing it, although the transcription isn’t quite accurate. At this point, it’s just a novelty that’s about to become a useful feature.
WebEx
Cisco’s Webex was also developed as two separate apps. Webex Meetings and Webex Teams make up these services. As with Microsoft Teams, video conferencing is an option with Webex Teams, although the major focus is on collaboration. For videoconferencing and online events, Webex Meetings is the best option. In this review, we’ll pay close attention to how well it works.
As a bonus, Webex can be used on a desktop or on the browser. End-to-end encryption and legacy Voice-over-IP aren’t supported on the web app, but other than that, it’s identical to the desktop version (VoiP). As far as the rest goes, they’re practically identical.
Features
Meetings can be recorded in audio and video formats by the meeting’s administrators. Participants can then access the recording by clicking on a link. Participants can also choose to be silenced. This feature allows all participants in the meeting to communicate with each other via a chat and hosts can share their desktop, an app or files from their computer including video files. Having a notification for admins to know if sharing is enabled or not is quite beneficial. As a result, he or she is significantly less likely to leave the feature on after the call has finished. Sharing notes using a virtual whiteboard is an option as well.
Zoom
Zoom is the last but certainly not the least. There was no way around the fact that Zoom has had multiple issues with privacy. Zoom, on the other hand, is well aware of these issues and has been working diligently to address them since 2020.
Features
Both web and desktop versions of Zoom are available. A Personal Meeting ID is given to each user, which can be used to initiate a call at any time. A unique meeting ID is a superior alternative when it comes to security because you can start a meeting without a lot of preparing. Password-protected calls are another option.
It is possible to integrate Zoom calls with a variety of calendars, including those from Google Calendar, iCal, and Outlook. Calls that are automatically scheduled appear on your calendar. Participants can also participate over the phone, and administrators can specify which countries’ dial-in numbers should be shown. If you have a Pro account, you have the option of requiring participants to sign up for the call. Before taking part in a webinar or other online event, participants are asked to complete a short survey.
Change the structure of your virtual classes
Get all of your data in order before you begin a project. Students may lose interest if you’re constantly looking for files and papers throughout class. They will disregard the class if they perceive the teacher to be uninterested or disorganised. Keep all of your lectures and tutorials in separate files. There must be a separate folder for any content relating to students.
Be flexible
Virtual training allows individuals to take classes and receive training without severely influencing their work schedules because it can be tailored to their needs.
Gânduri finale
The capacity to circumvent geographical barriers is one of the major advantages of virtual training. This makes it possible for people to get training that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to get. Using virtual training, everyone can learn, no matter where they are in the world.
Because of this increased openness, everyone in the company may benefit from training in a way that is both organised and convenient, reducing the amount of time spent away from home or work. There are no interruptions to home life or training for remote workers. Since Covid 19 has put the world on lockdown, organisations and corporations are moving to virtual training at a rate they may not have anticipated in the past.
Romanian 
English 
Arabic 
Chinese 
Danish 
Dutch 
French 
German 
Greek 
Hebrew 
Italian 
Japanese 
Korean 
Portuguese 
Spanish