Virtual Classrooms

One of the advantages of having a virtual classroom would be the enthusiasm of teachers who successfully interact with students individually and in groups. The video also suggested that teachers spend a lot more time working when they have a virtual classroom. They do their grading, and answer individual questions; however a disadvantage would be sometimes hearing from students as late as 10 p.m. This could be very disenchanting for teachers with their own growing families.
Another advantage would be for the student who has a full set of activities unrelated to attending school, such as the ice skater in the video you presented to us. When our daytime activities are so full that we cannot attend a normal classroom, the virtual classroom fills that void very well. Students have the opportunity to learn on their own. A disadvantage would be for the struggling student who doesn’t really care to attend school in the first place. If the student isn’t motivated enough to put the necessary time into a class and submit their work on time, this is not a good avenue for that student to participate in.
Other disadvantages would be when your personal computer crashes and you have to scramble to find the means to do your assignments, borrowing access or finding transportation to access a computer at school. Some online classes are not easy to maneuver in, and the student that isn’t a computer whiz has difficulty navigating the site. I experienced that with a class that used Wiley software.
I thought the video was well presented, and thought provoking. I have had on-line classes and can see from experience the advantages and disadvantages as mentioned above. I have never participated in a hybrid class and have no personal experience to relate in that field. In my imagination, I can see the benefit of having some classroom time combined with the time spent on the computer. I personally feel that the interaction between the student and the teacher is indispensable.
The ability to study with students from around the world would also offer benefits that most structured classrooms do not. I was amazed with some of the information gleaned from the video you presented. This crossover in culture would allow many facets of a subject to be fully presented. I remember as a student in junior high we had to choose a country and present the dress, the cultural differences, and the main gross products of that country. Having the virtual classroom would make a report like that soar!
http://www.adobe.com/education/elearning/hed.html
http://www.virtualclassroom.org/