Virtual Classroom Implementation Guide: Solutions for Teacher Shortage Challenges

Recent estimates show that there are about 55,000 vacant full-time teaching positions in the United States. While the teacher shortage is more pronounced in some states than others, schools in nearly all 50 states struggle to find certified, qualified instructors to provide students with a quality learning experience.
Many schools are turning to asynchronous online learning to make up for the shortage. However, while this type of virtual classroom setup meets state educational requirements, it doesn't offer children the best possible educational opportunities because learners don't have the opportunity for live interaction with teachers and fellow students.
Studies show that students benefit from face-to-face instruction and interaction with students and peers. A synchronous virtual classroom encourages self-discipline and student responsibility, enables learners to receive fast answers to questions, and allows learners to benefit from their fellow students' insights and queries.
Four Steps to Successful Virtual Classroom Integration
1. Initial Needs Assessment
Conduct an internal initial needs assessment to see what you need from a synchronous virtual classroom set-up. Important questions to answer include:
- What classes do we need to include to meet state requirements?
- What do students on an IEP or 504 plan need from an online learning environment?
- What modifications or adjustments will we need to make to help students with special needs learn in a synchronous virtual classroom?
- Are there specialty course offerings that would benefit our learners?
- What would the class schedule look like? Would classes be daily, every other day, weekly, etc.?
- How long would our school provide a particular class?
- Does our school have the IT set-up needed to offer seamless virtual classroom instruction?
Bear in mind that your initial conclusions could change at a later date. It’s wise to monitor class performance, student interest, grades, and other data and make adjustments accordingly.

2. Preparing the Virtual Classroom
The first step in preparing your school for a virtual classroom is to make sure you have the right hardware for the task. You’ll need enough computers for your students. You’ll also need to make sure that your IT system can handle the virtual classroom platform. Students should be able to use the platform with ease so they can focus on a quality learning experience rather than technical problems.
Additionally, learners should have as much advance notice as possible to ensure an optimal learning experience. Students need to know that the virtual classroom is a synchronous space, which means they’ll be expected to ask and answer questions and collaborate with fellow students. You’ll also want to inform students of the class schedule, course duration, completion date, and passing requirements.
3. Get Started
Once your plan is in place, it's time to get started.
This is an exciting teaching and learning experience for all involved. Being able to make friends and learn in an engaging, fun environment can help students enjoy their studies.
A good virtual classroom platform doesn't just focus on academic instruction. Experienced teachers enjoy engaging with students and making learning fun for all involved. Your class can expect to play games and take part in fun activities that promote learning.
4. Measure Your Success Rate
A synchronous virtual classroom platform is an ideal learning environment for any educational institution. Even so, that doesn't mean there won't be challenges along the way. School administrators can track student progress by monitoring in-class behavior, end-of-semester scores, and student interest.
Based on data collected during the school year, school administrators may want to:
- Add new classes to meet the needs of incoming students or a state's changing requirements
- Request an adaptation of learning materials and/or the overall learning environment to meet new scope and sequence requirements
- Make virtual classroom accommodations to meet the needs of IEP and 504 students

Address the Teacher Shortage Head-on with a Synchronous Virtual Classroom Setup
Don't allow the current teacher shortage to rob your students of a quality learning experience. Each learner deserves access to top-tier instruction and educational materials.
A synchronous virtual instruction model offers multiple benefits to teachers and students alike. These include:
- Schools gain access to certified, experienced teachers from all over the country
- Learners can study specialized courses they wouldn't be able to get from local in-person teachers
- Synchronous virtual courses are flexible to meet learners’ ever-changing needs. In fact, a teacher can adapt teaching material immediately if he or she sees that students need to review certain points or have already grasped certain concepts and can move at a faster pace.
- Uses cutting-edge technology to make learning relevant. A good virtual classroom system includes breakout rooms, interactive tools, multimedia resources, a virtual whiteboard for each class, and more. These resources keep learning fun while making it easy for learners to remember important points.
A virtual classroom with live, face-to-face classes and a collaborative learning environment benefits your teachers and learners alike. Don't delay; if you need more teachers and classes than your school can provide on its own, start the process of examining your needs and requirements and then contact Proximity Learning to work out a virtual classroom set-up for your educational institution. We have more than 15 years of experience, certified teachers, and a host of course offerings to meet the needs of all learners.
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