Virtual Classroom Software: Everything You Need to Know
Due to the growing adoption of digital learning, the virtual classroom market is expected to grow at a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2024 and 2032. And it’s not surprising, because online classroom software has loads of benefits for different types of businesses. A virtual classroom definition is the following: it is an online environment where instructors and learners interact in real time, similar to what is offered in a physical classroom, but done over the Internet. It happens within a cloud-based virtual classroom software application that includes video conferencing, live chat, screen sharing, digital whiteboards, breakout rooms, and interactive features such as polls or quizzes. Want to learn more? Keep reading!
Virtual Classroom Meaning and How Does it Work?
The goal of a virtual classroom is to create a collaborative, synchronous learning experience for everyone involved. A virtual classroom is also different than a standard video call, as virtual classrooms are designed specifically for education. Options for tracking attendance, recording sessions for an asynchronous experience, permission settings for roles (e.g., instructor, participant, moderator), and integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) to allow for automatic grading, linking of classes, and access to learner analytics are some differences between virtual classrooms and video calls.
For example, a healthcare organization may use a virtual classroom like Adobe Connect or BigBlueButton to train their clinical staff on new protocols as they follow along with a live simulation and take advantage of the recording features in the platform. Likewise, many enterprise companies have toolsets (such as Zoom for Education or Cisco Webex Training) that are designed to train and onboard new remote employees with live workshops and role-specific training.
Online teaching software is, in many ways, a middle ground between being physically present and accessing educational materials online, allowing institutions to teach students in real time, at scale, across geographies without sacrificing interactivity and the ability to provide quality instruction.
Types of Virtual Classrooms
Virtual classrooms are not universal. Depending on the type of virtual classroom learning experience, desired outcomes, and the audience, educators and organizations can choose between synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid formats. Each has its own advantage.
Synchronous vs Asynchronous
A synchronous virtual classroom is a learning experience where the instructor and learners are virtually together in real-time. Everything, such as live video sessions, real-time Q&A, breakouts on a specific topic, and instant feedback, is part of a synchronous virtual classroom. Synchronous virtual classrooms are great for high-touch training, collaborative workshops, or any learning experience that requires an instructor to facilitate the session, such as a live coding bootcamp, and healthcare simulations.
On the other hand, an asynchronous virtual classroom means that the learner consumes the pre-recorded lectures, assignments, and discussion board when they want. There is no scheduled time; therefore, it works for global teams, part-time learners, and learners who are completing training while doing their daily work. Learners can continue to progress within learning tools such as discussion forums, quizzes, and auto-graded assessments without having to meet live.
Hybrid
A hybrid virtual classroom reflects both materials and a combination of both models of learning, coupling the flexibility of asynchronous learning with a live session that has a schedule and program. For instance, an employee may work on a week-long eLearning module and then attend a live Q&A or group project session at the end of the week with maximum engagement. Hybrid virtual classrooms are becoming very popular in corporate L&D and higher education.
When Do You Need a Virtual Classroom System?
Digital classrooms are not simply a video teleconference featuring slides; they are the digital equivalent of a sophisticated training room, open 24/7, connected as we need, and engaging in compelling learning experiences across the globe. You will know it is time to acquire a digital or virtual classroom when face-to-face learning starts to feel more like a bottleneck than a bridge.
For Remote Learning & Online Training
As we enter an age of distributed workforces and global learners, virtual classrooms are the lifeblood of contemporary learning happening today. They provide live interactions, defined structure, as well as face-to-face interaction for collaborative thinking environments that closely resemble (on most days) physical classrooms in all the best ways. Tech companies like GitLab and Zapier, also completely remote, use virtual classrooms to deliver what they call tech upskilling sessions and leadership training to teams that are spread out globally and functioning in different time zones. And so, when you have learners who are scattered but must continue to be trained to your standards, virtual classroom systems become mission-critical systems to develop ongoing adult learning engagement.
For Employee Onboarding & Corporate Training
Starting a new job needs to be down a path that is laid out for you, not in a maze. Virtual classroom modalities create a schematic way for HR and L and D teams to be systematic in onboarding new employees in the part of the organization they were hired for across larger regions. For example, Accenture uses its own developed virtual classroom space to onboard thousands of employees each month, including live orientation sessions, policy review sessions, and live team exercises that engage employees fully. It’s more like putting your new hires in a high-speed rail train rather than handing them a map and saying, “Go.”
For Online Workshops, Bootcamps, and Webinars
When your goal is to deliver high-impact, hands-on learning—think coding bootcamps, product design workshops, or professional certifications—a virtual classroom provides the right balance of structure and interaction. Companies like General Assembly and Springboard rely on platforms like Zoom, BigBlueButton, and Canvas to host instructor-led, intensive programs with breakout rooms, live Q&A, and project-based collaboration. It’s the digital arena where learners show up, roll up their sleeves, and build something real.
For Schools, Colleges & Universities
Educational organizations went from classrooms to laptops, and they have had to reinvent how they think about classroom learning. Using virtual classroom systems like Google Classroom, Blackboard Collaborate, and Moodle, educational institutions like Arizona State University and the Open University UK have been able to operate hybrid and online programs with equal or even greater rigor than a physical classroom. No matter if it's K-12 or graduate-level, students can engage in learning through a virtual classroom, where learning will take place when there is no bell.
Must-Have Features of a Virtual Classroom
Great virtual classroom software is only as effective as the capabilities it has. In order to replicate and improve upon the traditional learning experience in a digital space, your virtual classroom software must include a strong set of tools that allow interaction, engagement, and trackable progress. Below are the essential features of virtual classrooms that every high-performing technology must have.
Real-Time Video & Audio Communication
Live audio and video are the foundation of any virtual classroom. They provide the means for instructors to not only present and explain ideas, but also to connect with students face-to-face in the moment. If you are using high-quality video feeds, noise suppression, and adjustable bandwidth, you can consistently deliver a smooth experience even in low-connectivity locations.
Interactive Whiteboard & Annotation Tools
Digital whiteboards allow for visual thinking to happen in a virtual space. The instructor can write, draw, diagram, or annotate shared surfaces collaboratively while learners view and participate. Platforms like BigBlueButton, Zoom, and others have various annotation features that allow instructors to explain ideas dynamically, just like a chalkboard in the classroom, maybe even smarter!
Breakout Rooms for Group Activities
Group collaboration applies to active learning, too. Breakout rooms provide a virtual space for instructors to segment learners into smaller groups for discussion, peer-to-peer learning, or a task based on teamwork. Breakout rooms should ideally allow timed sessions, instructor visitations, and the ability to "broadcast" to the groups.
Live Chat & Instant Messaging
Another essential feature available/tool is a chat, so learners can pose questions, share ideas/discuss insights with their peers while not interrupting the lecture. Additional features, like private messaging, emoji reactions, and threaded discussions, allow for shared communications to help build a sense of community in the digital classroom.
Polls, Quizzes & Interactive Assessments
Instant feedback is critical to gauge learner understanding. Built-in polls, live quizzes, and assessments promote learner engagement and help instructors see, in real time, who is on track. Tools like Kahoot! or native modules for quizzes are often designed to "extract the formal" and promote assessments as interactive activities.
File & Multimedia Sharing
It's important to be able to share course materials, slides, videos, PDFs, and multimedia resources (embedded) during live sessions. The platform should enable drag-and-drop file uploads with all resources available for the instructor and learners in real time or after the session.
Session Recording & Playback
It is essential to record the sessions for learners in other time zones as well, for those who want to come back to the learning. The recordings should be easily accessible, downloadable (where permissible), have current timestamps marked for reference (ideally), or include search capabilities for a transcript to add to the respective reviewability.
Screen Sharing Capabilities
Screen sharing allows instructors to guide students through software interfaces, presentations, and/or conduct demonstrations in real time. Advanced platforms can even allow multi-screen sharing capabilities and selective window sharing, allowing instructors to manage what to share while protecting learners' private spaces.
Attendance Tracking & Reporting
Automated attendance tracking allows administrators to monitor engagement and participation. Reports should have join/leave times, length of attendance, activity level (chat responses, quiz responses), and be exportable to HR/LMS platforms to demonstrate performance.
Gamification Elements
Gamification allows learner motivation to be sustained and changes passive participation to an engaging experience! Badges, points, and progress bars will encourage learners to keep moving during a session. When gamification is augmented with leaderboards or milestone challenges to improve engagement, it is a very effective influence on human behaviour!
Integrations with LMS & EdTech Tools
An online classroom system should connect to your full learning ecosystem. Online classroom systems can be integrated with Learning Management Systems (like Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard) and EdTech (like Google Workspace or Microsoft Teams). Whether it is scheduling, content linking, grading syncing, or managing users, integration will enable a seamless education experience. APIs and LTI compatibility provide scalable and secure connections.
How to Build & Set Up a Virtual Classroom
Building virtual classroom solutions is far more difficult than hitting “start” on a video call—you have to create and plan for it thoughtfully and strategically, utilise relevant virtual classroom technology, and most importantly, design with the learner at the centre.
Step 1: Define Learning Goals & Audience
Identifying your learning goals and audience is a crucial first step. Who are your audience members: remote employees, K–12 students, or adjuncts teaching online workshops? You will need to plan your place in a way that meets specific outcomes of learning and learner requirements.
Step 2: Choose the Right Software & Tools
Choose an online school software that addresses your learning goals. Check for products that provide video conferencing, content sharing, learner engagement, and third-party integration with learning management systems (LMS), or productivity suites (like Zoom, BigBlueButton, and Microsoft Teams).
Step 3: Design a User-friendly Learning Environment
Build a user-friendly learning environment with a clear and consistent navigation system, with organized resources in a coherent format. Establish a consistent visual look, creating modules/folders for course components, and offering basic onboarding instructions.
Step 4: Integrate Collaboration & Engagement Features
Use tools for collaborative work, allow students to work in "breakout rooms," use polls, review chat logs, and use a whiteboard. Think about ways you can engage your audience all the time, rather than depending on enacting a “raise your hand” system.
Step 5: Test & Launch
Pilot the environment with a small group to find any technical issues or issues with the user experience. Gather feedback to make adjustments, and then launch your software for online teaching confidently and to a larger cohort.
How to Choose Virtual Classroom Software with the Right Features
Establishing your objectives, whether they be client onboarding, academic instruction, or staff training, is the first step in selecting the best virtual classroom software. Align those requirements with necessary features such as chat, session recording, whiteboards, screen sharing, real-time video, and attendance tracking.
Give priority to offline capabilities, time zone flexibility, and mobile access for multinational or hybrid teams. For smooth data exchange, make sure the LMS you're using supports LTI or API integrations.
Security is also crucial; to safeguard user data, look for GDPR compliance, SSO, and role-based access controls.
Lastly, use a real session to test the platform. In practice, a tool must provide seamless, captivating experiences in addition to being visually appealing. To promote long-term learning success, pick software that strikes a balance between usability, scalability, and functionality.
Best Virtual Classroom Platforms with Outstanding Features
In 2025, a number of virtual classroom platforms stand out due to their extensive feature sets and dependability. LearnCube is designed with education in mind, providing scheduling tools, file sharing, and interactive whiteboards. Breakout rooms, LMS integration, and real-time collaboration are areas in which Vedamo shines. Advanced engagement tools like persistent virtual rooms, customizable layouts, and comprehensive analytics are offered by Adobe Connect.
Open-source BigBlueButton, which is well-liked in academia, has features like polling, multi-user whiteboards, and session recording. With its powerful media management, captioning, and live streaming features, Kaltura specializes in video-driven learning. For educators who sell courses, WizIQ offers live classes, mobile learning, and eCommerce integration. Last but not least, Zoom for Education is still a popular option because of its breakout spaces, simplicity of use, and compatibility with LMS systems like Moodle and Canvas.
These platforms are perfect for a variety of virtual classroom requirements because they each have special advantages, whether it be in live instruction, scalability, or blended learning.
Final Thoughts
An interactive virtual classroom is a modern solution for a modern learner that helps students step up their learning game and improve critical skills with the help of modern technology. If you have any questions or are looking for a partner to build virtual learning software, contact Yojji, and we’ll provide you with the best experts to help your business grow and build the best virtual classroom software.
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