Virtual Classroom Software Guide: Prioritizing Live Teacher-Student Interaction

Any school that wants to set up a virtual classroom will find plenty of virtual classroom software options to pick from. Major learning tools include:
- Kahoot
- Nearpod
- Google Classroom
- Big Blue Button
- LearnCube
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Adobe Connect
- Arlo
- Vedamo
Which Virtual Classroom Software Program is the Best?
Which program is best? There is no easy answer. A lot depends on a school's needs, budget, IT set-up, and other factors. However, there is one all-important consideration that every school should take into account when selecting virtual classroom software, and that is the program's ability to facilitate live teacher-student interaction.
Why is Live Teacher-Student Interaction Important?
Many students are used to studying in a virtual classroom or online learning environment that offers little to no live teacher-student interaction. While asynchronous learning has some benefits, research clearly shows that live teacher-student interaction plays a vital role in the learning process.
Improved Understanding of New Concepts
A synchronous virtual classroom setup allows students to ask questions in real-time and get immediate answers. This benefits the entire class in three ways:
- Students who can ask about topics they don't understand and get immediate answers will be able to grasp concepts better than students who can't get immediate answers to questions.
- Students benefit not just from asking their own questions but also from listening to other learners' questions and the teacher's answers to these questions.
- Teachers can use verbal assessments in real-time to see if the class understands important concepts. If most of the students need to review a concept before moving forward, the teacher can adjust the course of the class to provide needed review and reinforcement.

Acquisition of Important Soft Skills
The importance of high-quality academic instruction cannot be overstated. At the same time, it's easy to forget that children also need to learn soft skills to succeed as adults.
Researchers have found that a whopping 85% of job success can be credited to learning soft skills and people skills. These include:
- Communication with people from different walks of life
- Teamwork with other people
- Listening to and sharing new ideas
- Understanding and accepting different points of view
- Problem-solving skills
- Strategic thinking skills
- Creativity
- Empathy
- Negotiation
- Social skills
A collaborative in-person or online learning environment is ideal for helping students acquire these and other important life skills.
Improved Test Scores
Students who learn on their own don't have the opportunity to collaborate in real-time with a teacher and/or other students. This lack of interaction affects both academic and emotional development.
- The peer effect on students is real and quantifiable. A 2021 study using data collected from twenty thousand students, parents, teachers, and school administrators found that a student's test scores improve when that student is placed in a classroom with higher than average test scores.
- A 2015 study found that kindergarten students who had to share an iPad gained more points on their tests than students who didn't have to share an iPad. Researchers note that the reason for the gains is that students who have to collaborate learn communication skills and benefit from the sharing of different viewpoints.
- A 2019 study found that students think they learn more from lectures than an active learning environment. However, test results from these same students clearly show that those who studied in an active learning environment scored better than students who didn't have the opportunity to interact with a teacher and fellow learners.
What Does Teacher-Student Interaction Look Like in a Virtual Classroom Setting?
Because each child is unique, each class will likely have unique needs. However, there are some tried and proven ways teachers can promote two-way communication in a virtual learning environment.
In a virtual classroom, engagement requires thoughtful adaptation of traditional teaching methods to the digital space. Teachers must carefully balance live interaction with independent work, using tools like chat, screen sharing, and small group rooms effectively. The key is creating an environment where students feel comfortable participating despite the physical distance, which means paying attention to different learning preferences and comfort levels with technology.
Ask Students to Tell About Themselves
Teachers should ask new students to introduce themselves and tell the class about something they like, be it a hobby, activity, location, etc.
This foundational activity can be expanded through creative approaches like virtual show-and-tell sessions or digital memory walls where students share photos or artifacts that matter to them. Teachers might schedule regular sharing times throughout the semester, perhaps starting each week with a student spotlight moment. This ongoing sharing helps maintain personal connections.
Ask Questions
A synchronous virtual classroom isn't an online lecture. It’s a good idea for teachers to ask students plenty of questions to ensure learners are paying attention and grasping important concepts.
Questions in virtual settings need special consideration to be effective. Teachers might use a mix of methods, from direct questions with appropriate wait time to digital polls that give everyone a chance to participate. The key is making questioning feel natural and conversational rather than interrogative, perhaps weaving questions into ongoing discussions or using them to transition between topics.

Play Interactive Games
Playing interactive games helps students put what they've learned into words.
Games take on special significance in virtual learning where engagement can be challenging. Digital versions of classic learning games can be adapted for virtual classrooms, from simple word association activities to complex simulation exercises. The key is choosing games that naturally incorporate lesson content while keeping students actively involved and interested. Teachers might create digital scavenger hunts related to course material or use educational gaming platforms designed specifically for remote learning.
Pair Students for Collaborative Assignments
Teachers can pair students in small groups to complete tasks. When the task is complete, each group can be given time to tell the class about their completed project.
Virtual group work requires careful structuring to succeed. Teachers should consider creating detailed guides for online collaboration and establishing clear roles within each group. Regular progress checks help keep projects on track, while shared digital workspaces allow groups to document their process. When groups present their work, it reinforces learning and helps maintain class cohesion.
What Live Interactive Tools Should Schools Look for in Virtual Classroom Software?
Good virtual classroom software is more than just a learning management system. It should also offer the tools you need to create a vibrant synchronous online learning environment.
Ease of Use
Students and teachers shouldn't have to become tech experts to use virtual classroom software. Pick a platform that's easy to use and compatible with existing IT infrastructure. That way, students and teachers can focus on the learning material and two-way communication instead of tech problems.
Screen Sharing Capabilities
Screen sharing capabilities enable teachers to show students presentations, pictures, graphs, and other multimedia resources with ease.
Online Whiteboard
An online whiteboard is ideal for writing up key points from a class, listing student ideas, and more.
File Sharing
File sharing allows students to upload individual and group assignments.
Breakout Room
Breakout rooms are ideal for collaborative projects. Teachers can assign student pairs to separate rooms to work on a task for a set amount of time and then give each group a certain amount of time to share findings with the rest of the class.
Recording Software
If a student can't attend a live virtual classroom session, recording the session will allow him or her to catch up later on. Additionally, even students who attended the session will likely appreciate being able to go back and listen to key portions of the class.
Grading Features
A good virtual classroom software program will have the tools teachers need to grade assignments efficiently. It will also have progress tracking tools so you can gauge student performance.
Choosing the Right Virtual Classroom Software for Your School
At the end of the day, the best virtual classroom software is one that aligns with your school's specific needs while providing all the essential features for effective synchronous learning. By prioritizing ease of use, robust communication tools, and comprehensive teaching features, schools can create engaging virtual learning environments that rival traditional classrooms. As education continues to evolve, investing in quality virtual classroom software isn't just about keeping up with technology – it's about providing students with the interactive, collaborative learning experiences they need to succeed.
At Proximity Learning, we have many years of experience using high-quality virtual classroom software to create an ideal live virtual classroom environment for students of all walks of life. Our team specializes in synchronous online learning and can help you transition to an efficient, live virtual classroom model that will meet your students' needs for a well-rounded education.
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