To future-proof their online learning services, higher ed institutions need advanced tools that not only replicate the in-person experience but also enhance learning outcomes and provide flexibility. Here are five essential features your university's virtual classroom software should offer to stay competitive and meet the diverse needs of modern students.
#1 Real-Time Transcriptions for Enhanced Accessibility
Real-time transcriptions are revolutionizing virtual classrooms by ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, can fully participate in the learning process.
Accessibility for All Learners
By offering transcriptions, universities open their virtual doors wider. No longer do students with hearing impairments or language barriers struggle to keep up. Real-time transcriptions allow them to engage fully and confidently in class discussions. This feature not only meets accessibility standards but also signals that your institution is committed to meeting the diverse needs of its student body.
Searchable Lecture Content
Beyond enhancing live lectures, real-time transcriptions give students a powerful post-class tool. Imagine being able to search a three-hour lecture for the exact moment your professor explained a critical theory. With searchable transcripts, that’s no longer a time-consuming dream, but a reality! Students can quickly find specific lecture sections to review, making study sessions more focused and productive.
#2 Self-Paced Learning Tools
Today’s students are more diverse than ever, and not all of them fit the traditional college mold. Self-paced learning tools are a game-changer in virtual classrooms, giving students the flexibility to complete coursework on their own time without sacrificing quality education.
Flexibility for Non-Traditional Students
For students who can’t attend live lectures due to work schedules or family commitments, self-paced learning is essential. Imagine a single parent logging into their virtual classroom after the kids are asleep or a full-time employee catching up on lectures during a lunch break. Self-paced tools empower these non-traditional students to succeed without the rigid structure of a fixed schedule, making higher education more accessible to all.
Supporting On-Time Degree Completion
One of the biggest challenges for non-traditional students is staying on track for graduation. Self-paced learning tools allow students to move through the curriculum at their own speed, which can help prevent them from falling behind. Whether they need to slow down due to life circumstances or accelerate their pace to graduate on time, this flexibility keeps their degree within reach. Universities that offer this feature accommodate students' needs while also boosting retention and degree completion rates.
#3 Advanced Analytics for Student Support
Virtual classroom software has evolved far beyond simple lecture delivery—it now offers a deeper understanding of how students engage with the content. Advanced analytics provide universities with data on student interaction with course videos, helping educators refine their teaching strategies and improve engagement.
Tracking Engagement with Course Videos
With effective virtual classroom software, educators can track how students interact with embedded course videos, including metrics on views and where students stop watching if they don’t complete the entire video. These insights help instructors understand student engagement levels and identify areas where content may need to be adjusted to maintain interest and effectiveness.
#4 Seamless Integration with Scheduling Systems
Virtual classroom software isn’t just about learning—it’s also about enabling students to manage their academic responsibilities without unnecessary conflicts and stay on track for graduation.
Avoiding Class Conflicts
Class conflicts are a major source of frustration for students trying to piece together their schedules each semester. By integrating the virtual classroom with the university’s scheduling system, those conflicts can be minimized or eliminated entirely. Students can focus on choosing the courses they need rather than working around overlapping time slots. Integration streamlines course planning and helps students stay on a clear path to graduation.
Streamlined Degree Progression
When virtual classrooms are fully integrated with scheduling systems, universities can ensure that degree requirements are met without delays caused by conflicting courses. Students can plan their academic journey with confidence knowing that they’ll be able to register for required classes without the fear of missing out due to scheduling issues. Such organization ultimately supports smoother degree progression and timely graduation.
#5 Interactive Learning and Communication Tools
Engagement is key to student success, and interactive learning tools are transforming how students and instructors communicate in virtual classrooms. These tools bring learning to life and foster collaboration and deeper understanding.
AI-Enhanced Research Tools
Imagine having access to AI-powered tools that can instantly pull up related research, definitions, or supplemental materials as a student works through a lecture. These tools allow students to dive deeper into topics, explore related concepts, and improve comprehension—all without leaving the virtual classroom environment. The flexibility encourages independent learning and a richer academic experience.
Collaborative Communication Methods
Robust virtual classroom software does more than host lectures and assignments—it enables seamless communication between students and instructors. Students should be able to interact directly with transcripts, either in real time or asynchronously, to ask questions and join discussions. This capability allows them to engage in ways that suit them best, creating a dynamic and collaborative experience that mirrors an in-person classroom.
StandOut Classroom: A Schedule-Free, AI-Powered Learning Experience
StandOut Classroom offers a unique solution by providing the first truly schedule-free virtual classroom. Built around 100% self-paced learning, StandOut eliminates the need for students to follow rigid schedules, allowing them to study on their own terms while maintaining academic rigor.
With patented AI technology, StandOut enhances the learning experience in several key ways. Transcribed video lectures make it easy for students to review material at their own pace, which boosts retention and satisfaction. StandOut puts control in the students’ hands to slow down or accelerate through concepts as needed to graduate on time.
The software’s advanced research tools also enable students to explore lecture topics in greater depth. Leveraging AI, StandOut helps students search, annotate, and engage with the content more deeply than ever before, fostering independent learning and critical thinking.
Seamless integration with 25Live® scheduling ensures that course conflicts are a thing of the past. With StandOut, students can progress through their degree without worrying about overlapping class times, making academic scheduling stress-free and efficient.
Empower Your University with the Future of Virtual Learning
As virtual classrooms continue to evolve, universities need to stay ahead by offering cutting-edge software that enhances learning outcomes and supports student success. Features like real-time transcription, self-paced learning, advanced analytics, seamless integration with scheduling systems, and interactive tools are no longer optional—they’re essential.
With StandOut Classroom, your institution can offer a truly flexible, accessible, and innovative learning experience that empowers students to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
