Online Classrooms

Online teaching became very important during and after Covid-19, so we started hearing and using online classrooms. O nline classrooms are tools that allow students and teachers to meet at anytime online. The concept is about using video conferencing and screen sharing to allow the teacher to teach the students and show them the lesson by sharing the screen. teachers are still learning how to benefit as much as possible from these online platforms to replace physical classrooms with online classrooms without affecting the students and the learning process. References -  WCU Office of Digital Learning and Innovation, 2016, "What is Online Learning" https://youtu.be/YwJf2oD_RZA

I discussed last time the definition of online classrooms, so I will be talking now about their advantages. Below are some of them: 1. Flexibility Students have the possibility of joining the class from their homes and have also the advantage of watching the recording of the class anytime they want according to their schedule. 2. Reduced Costs Online classrooms help in reducing the cost of fuel and transportation because students will no longer need to go to school to join classes 3. Online access  online classrooms provide the opportunity of having all lessons, recordings, activities, and assessments recorded online with easy access to them. (moodle for example in AUB and LAU) References  Community College of Aurora, no date, "BENEFITS of ONLINE EDUCATION",      https://www.ccaurora.edu/programs-classes/online-learning/benefits-online-education      WizIQ, May 21, 2021, "Virtual Classroom& its Advantages", https://blog.wiziq.com/what-is-virtu...

 Although online learning is very important, it has some disadvantages, and below are some of them: Requires good time management skills.  Directly affected by electricity and connection issues.  Some students will feel isolated. Do not develop social skills. It is not healthy to sit all day in front of the computer.  References           Phelan, Sara, 2018, "Disadvantages of Online Classroom", THE REVIEW, https://www.uvureview.com/news/front-page/recent/opinions/disadvantages-online-classes/

2020 has been a transitive year. Everything has changed, including the way kids and university students study.  During the pandemic, most of the countries established social distancing rules, 20-second hand-washing practices, and preventive mask-wearing in public. This affected on the way educators and students interact is an understatement.  In March, a lot of transitions from face-to-face classrooms to some kind of virtual education are set up at home.  During the first months of the pandemic, teachers had to search and find the best ways to set up a virtual classroom that would keep their students engaged.  During these months, educators at every level tested tools and programs until they found their favorites. We scanned the web to find out what those are.   There are many online video applications that a teacher can use, and here is a list of them: Zoom Webex Microsoft teams  Google Hangouts Dialpad Meetings TrueConf Online Skype FreeConference Lifesiz...

 According to an article published by Global Brands, "Top 10 Laptop Brands in the World", the better laptops that can be used for a better online learning experience are: Apple HP Lenovo  Dell Acer Asus MSI Microsoft Surface Razer Samsung  References      No author, No date, "Top 10 Laptop Brands in the World", GLOBAL BRANDS,      https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/top-10-laptop-brands-in-the-world/          No author, Sep 19, 2020, "Best Selling Laptop Brands 2010-2020",  Ranking, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1jz46qgxjA