Virtual classrooms, for example Blackboard Collaborate, can bridge the gap between text-based asynchronous distance learning and the face-to-face interaction in a classroom. Virtual classrooms are environments that makes real-time, interactive education possible and encourage learning and collaboration through online seminars, or Webinars.

Virtual Classrooms can enhance learning opportunities for students. They can facilitate multi-campus meetings and inter-institutional collaboration — without costly travel or telephone/video conferencing.

With a Virtual classroom you can:

• Reach hundreds of participants simultaneously
• Enhance learning opportunities while increasing reach and enrollment
• Hold virtual or blended online/onsite events Develop online communities that facilitate social networking
• Provide professional development on multiple sites without costly travel or teleconferencing
• Hold virtual office hours for students and
• Enable real-time tutoring and mentoring for students who are in remote and regional areas.

There are a number of Virtual Classroom applications, some of which, like The Big Blue Button, are open source.  They are all synchronous communication (everyone is able to be online and communicating live) and most use VOIP for voice communication.  VOIP is Voice Over Internet Protocal.  Skype is a good example of VOIP.  Some VCs have multiple video capabilities where 1 - 6 people can use their webcams at the same time.

Choosing a VC can be tricky - test them thoroughly and make sure that;

• the video capabilities are not slow and don't crash your computer,
• the application does not require large software files to be downloaded and installed on your PC
• the application will be just as speedy on a slow connection as on broadband
• there are application and desktop sharing capabilities
• the sound quality is good no matter what headphones or microphones you choose to use.