Role of Virtual Classrooms in Remote Learning

The landscape of education and training is undergoing a rapid transformation. The traditional learning process doesn’t look like it used to some decades ago. Now, print textbooks and exercise books are often accompanied by web platforms and mobile apps that make learning materials available at any moment and from everywhere. 

Even when it comes to group learning with a teacher, it is no longer obligatory for many students to be physically present in the traditional classroom. Virtual classes have changed the game. And their adoption accelerates across academic and corporate sectors. For example, in 2023, over 60% of universities provided at least one degree program available in a virtual classroom. At the same time, it is reported that around 41% of US companies now rely on virtual classroom tools (like Microsoft Teams or custom solutions) for employee training.

But what exactly can such platforms offer? And what explains their popularity? These are among the main questions that we are going to answer in this blog post. 

What is a virtual classroom?

A virtual classroom is an online learning environment that enables educators and learners to interact in real time. It replicates many aspects of in-person education and integrates various tools, like video conferencing, file sharing, and interactive whiteboards, to deliver a comprehensive digital online teaching and learning experience.

Virtual classrooms play a critical role in multiple learning contexts:

• K-12 education. Such platforms can ensure continuity when students cannot attend classes in person.
• Higher education. They support flexible degree programs and access for students from different corners of the world.
• Lifelong learning. Thanks to remote learning solutions in general and virtual classrooms in particular, adults have convenient opportunities for skill development and personal enrichment.
• Corporate training. Platforms of this kind facilitate employee onboarding, professional development, and compliance programs across distributed teams.

Today, virtual classrooms are an essential component of the modern learning ecosystem. They allow institutions and organizations to deliver quality education and training regardless of geographic constraints. At the same time, they can support personalization and high engagement at all levels of education.

The most highly-demanded features of a virtual classroom platform

The right functionality of a virtual classroom can define the entire learning experience for users. When you are planning to launch your own solutions of this type, already at the stage of ideation, it’s important to decide on the features that you want to build. We recommend that you distinguish between must-have features that ensure smooth and engaging remote learning and nice-to-have capabilities that enhance the experience.

• Must-have features. This functionality is the backbone of the key workflows in remote learning.
• Reliable video conferencing. High-quality, stable video and audio are a must. Students need to see and hear the instructor clearly. Apart from that, the platform should support group discussions without lag or dropouts.
• Interactive tools. Whiteboards, screen sharing, annotation tools, polls, and quizzes are crucial elements for ensuring engagement. They help teachers recreate the dynamics of an in-person learning process.
• Breakout rooms. Collaboration in small rooms boosts participation and allows students to discuss and work on group projects in a more personalized learning environment.
• Attendance and performance tracking. Built-in attendance logs and analytics help educators monitor participation and progress. This also allows them to identify learners who may need extra support.
• Secure access and data protection. User authentication, encryption, and compliance with privacy standards, depending on the jurisdiction where your platform will be available, are critical for protecting students.
• LMS integration. Seamless integration with learning management systems ensures that courses, assignments, and grades sync automatically.
• Nice-to-have features. These features aren’t strictly essential for basic functionality. But they can make online learning more efficient and enjoyable for both instructors and students.
• AI-powered assistance in K-12 and higher education. With AI features, virtual classrooms can provide auto-generated transcripts for every lesson, real-time translation for multilingual learners, as well as smart note-taking that highlights key points. Apart from this, AI tutors can offer instant guidance or practice exercises. This reduces instructors’ administrative workload and helps students review lessons efficiently.
• Gamification elements for active learning. Badges, points, challenges, progress bars, and leaderboards help motivate learners and make virtual sessions more dynamic, regardless of the age of users. For example, completing a quiz could unlock a badge, or collaborative challenges can promote teamwork in remote settings.
• Advanced analytics. Detailed reporting tools track engagement and learning behaviors. Heatmaps can reveal which content holds learners’ attention, while engagement scores and behavior patterns enable instructors to tailor their teaching approaches.
• Interactive content libraries helpful in asynchronous learning. Ready-to-use templates for quizzes, exercises, simulations, and lesson modules allow educators to create interactive content quickly. This is particularly useful for instructors who need to adapt lessons on short notice or integrate different types of media into their teaching.
• Multi-camera and multi-screen support. Supporting multiple video feeds or screens allows instructors to demonstrate complex tasks, such as lab experiments, art techniques, or physical exercises. Students can view these demonstrations from different angles or perspectives.

Trends in virtual classroom software development

The elearning space is evolving rapidly under the influence of advancements across the tech industry. User expectations are rising as people grow accustomed to fast, intuitive, and highly personalized digital experiences in their everyday applications.

Virtual classrooms should match the usability of modern consumer platforms. To attract and retain learners, they should offer seamless navigation and content tailored to people’s individual needs.

At the same time, educators and institutions want to work with systems that support data-driven decision making, automate administrative tasks, and can improve learning outcomes. 

Given all these requirements, we can define the following trends that are currently shaping the future of virtual learning tools.

Personalization for improved learner engagement 

AI-driven engines integrated into elearning platforms can analyze user behavior, performance, and engagement. Gained insights can be further used to deliver personalized content and pacing. This shift supports differentiated instruction and helps educators better address diverse student needs. As a result, the learning process becomes significantly more efficient. 

Enhanced real-time collaboration in distance learning

Modern virtual classroom platforms emphasize collaborative learning through various features like breakout rooms, shared digital whiteboards, live polls, group messaging, and co-editing tools. These capabilities aim to replicate in-person classroom dynamics and, at the same time, improve participation and communication. With the growing demand for such functionality, it is expected that the range of available tools of this kind will expand.

Immersive technologies

The adoption of VR, AR, and interactive simulations is gaining momentum across the elearning landscape. These technologies enable realistic practice in various fields such as STEM, healthcare, engineering, and vocational training. In these areas, experiential learning significantly enhances skill development. Learners can conduct virtual lab experiments, practice medical procedures in simulated environments, or operate complex machinery. What is crucial here is that all this is possible without physical risk or resource limitations.

Advances in cloud rendering and lightweight headsets are reducing the hardware barriers that could limit adoption earlier. Devices are gradually becoming more affordable while content is easier to deliver. Amid all this, immersive learning is shifting from niche use cases to large-scale implementations. 

Interoperability and modular architecture

Today, interoperability is essential as universities and training providers manage increasingly complex digital ecosystems. Modern virtual classrooms must integrate seamlessly with multiple platforms, including learning management systems, student information systems, assessment tools, data analytics tools, and external content libraries.

To support this, developers are prioritizing open APIs, LTI standards, and SCORM/xAPI compatibility. Moreover, modular architectures are gaining popularity as they allow development teams to add new features to existing workflows without disruption. This reduces administrative overhead and ensures smoother user experiences across platforms.

A modular approach also supports long-term scalability. Institutions can start with core virtual classroom features and later extend functionality with additional tools, such as analytics dashboards, adaptive learning engines, AI tutoring modules, or immersive learning components.

Accessibility and inclusivity 

Accessibility and inclusivity are becoming central priorities in virtual classroom development. Modern platforms are built to deliver learning environments that support diverse needs from the outset.

They are enhanced with advanced features such as screen-reader compatibility, adjustable text sizes, high-contrast modes, keyboard-only navigation, and real-time closed captioning for live sessions. 

AI-powered transcription and translation tools can improve the accuracy and availability of captions and multilingual support. As a result, more students can join the learning process and actively participate in courses regardless of language or hearing ability.

Inclusivity extends further into cognitive accessibility. Modern platforms often offer simplified interfaces and distraction-reduction modes to support learners with ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodiverse conditions. Flexible pacing, multimodal content delivery, and alternative assessment formats ensure that students can engage with online course material in ways that align with their learning preferences.

It’s also worth mentioning that virtual classrooms that prioritize inclusive design are better positioned to meet compliance standards.

Custom development of a virtual classroom platform: Is it a good idea?

When educational institutions or businesses plan to implement a virtual classroom platform, they always face a choice between ready-to-use solutions and custom software.

Off-the-shelf platforms offer convenience, fast deployment, and prebuilt features. But they often come with limitations in flexibility and integration.

Meanwhile, custom virtual classroom development allows institutions to create unique learning environments that align with specific pedagogical goals and innovation needs.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of custom platforms.

Custom virtual classroom benefits 

• Tailored learning experience. Custom development allows educators to design features, interfaces, and workflows that fully match their specific teaching methods. For example, you can introduce unique assessment tools or specialized interaction formats that are not supported by off-the-shelf platforms and generic tools. Thanks to this, you can create experiences that directly support your academic models.
• Seamless integration with existing ecosystems. Schools and universities often rely on a mix of LMS platforms, student information systems, identity providers, and third-party content libraries. A custom solution can be built in such a way that will allow it to integrate seamlessly with these systems. This will reduce administrative friction and improve data flow. With ready-to-use platforms, educational institutions may have serious difficulties when it comes to their interoperability with already implemented tools.
• Enhanced scalability and performance. As enrollment grows and learning models evolve, custom platforms can scale accordingly. Developers can optimize performance for large live sessions and provide easy access for a global audience. This ensures that the system continues to perform reliably even under high demand. At the same time, generic tools may struggle to guarantee this.
• Full control over data security and compliance. Educational institutions work with sensitive student data. This makes security a critical priority for them. Custom development enables full control over authentication methods, encryption standards, hosting choices, audit trails, and regional compliance requirements. Platforms can be tailored to meet regulations such as GDPR, FERPA, or local privacy laws.
• Long-term cost efficiency. Software development requires investment. Nevertheless, the use of custom platforms eliminates ongoing licensing fees and vendor lock-in. Institutions can iterate and add new features at their own pace. As a result, their systems can grow with their needs. Over time, this can lead to substantial savings.
• Future-proof architecture. A custom solution can be designed with modular architecture and open APIs. All this makes it easier to adopt new technologies as they emerge. If you need to integrate additional content formats or adopt new communication standards, it won’t be a problem, as your platform will be ready for it. 

Looking for a team that will build a virtual classroom for you?

At Akveo, we have solid expertise in edtech development and are always open to new projects.

Schedule a call!

Wrapping up

Virtual classrooms have become a cornerstone of modern remote learning. They enable educational institutions, corporate trainers, and lifelong learners to overcome the limitations of physical classrooms. For example, real-time interaction tools, personalized content, and immersive learning experiences help address serious challenges like low engagement and accessibility. Moreover, to get access to knowledge, people do not even need to leave their homes. 

For organizations that are looking to leverage the full potential of remote learning, custom virtual classroom software offers great flexibility. 

With more than 10 years in software development, at Akveo, we focus on building tailored learning platforms that meet the demands of today’s learners. Contact us to discuss how we can help you!

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