Virtual Classroom: What it is and How it Works

What is a virtual classroom?

A virtual classroom is a video conferencing tool where instructors and participants engage with each other and with the learning material. The difference with other video conferencing tools is that virtual classrooms offer an added set of features that are essential to a learning environment.

 Virtual classroom software enables instructors to:

• moderate student participation
• display learning materials in the form of documents, slide decks, or multimedia files
• enrich the learning experience with screen-sharing and virtual whiteboard features
• divide the participants into breakout rooms, which the instructor can join
• engage the participants with polls and quizzes
• record the sessions (and manage those recordings)

 A virtual classroom platform helps make the learning experience interactive and engaging while providing a controlled environment. But virtual classrooms also offer features that reach beyond the in-class experience. Instructors can access the classroom before the lesson to prepare the material. This material, as well as the session recording, is available after class for reference for instructors and participants alike.

 Participants can connect to virtual classroom platforms from any device that can connect to the Internet. This type of flexibility enables participants to consume content, regardless of their location across the globe.

 Editor’s note: Updated the article to cover recent market trends and product evaluation criteria as of 2026.

What do you need for a virtual classroom?

Perhaps the most important requirement when moving from a physical classroom to a virtual classroom is the understanding that these are two different environments.

 While a physical classroom environment is built using brick and mortar, a virtual classroom is composed of software and hardware. These materials have different uses and costs. What you need when looking to create a virtual classroom is to find the most suitable virtual classroom platform to fit your needs. One consideration may also be how the virtual classroom platform fits with other systems that you may already have in place, such as your Learning Management System (LMS).

Virtual classroom market trends

According to recent market research, the virtual classroom market is valued at 19.19 billion USD and is expected to reach 74.34 billion USD by 2035. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The steady increase shows sustained demand for digital learning environments across education and corporate training.

Key market trends

The market is evolving due to advances in technology and changing learning expectations. Artificial intelligence is being integrated into virtual classrooms to support personalized learning paths and identify knowledge gaps.

There is also a stronger focus on engagement tools such as quizzes, polls, and gamified elements. These features help maintain participation in remote settings.

Another important trend is the expansion of global access. Virtual classrooms allow institutions to reach learners across different regions, supporting more diverse and collaborative learning environments.

Market drivers

Several factors are driving market growth. One major driver is increased investment in educational technology, with billions of dollars flowing into EdTech solutions. This funding supports innovation and platform development.

The growing acceptance of online learning is another key factor. A significant portion of learners now prefer online formats due to convenience and accessibility.

Technological advancements such as AI, AR, and VR are also shaping the market. These tools make learning more interactive and adaptive. In addition, demand for flexible learning and lifelong skill development continues to rise, especially among working professionals.

Market segmentation

By type, teleconferencing remains the dominant format due to its real-time interaction capabilities. Meanwhile, web-based solutions are growing quickly as more content becomes accessible online.

In terms of deployment, cloud-based platforms hold the largest share. They offer scalability and easy access, which suits modern learning environments. On-premise solutions are growing as well, mainly due to data control and security needs.

By end user, academic institutions represent the largest segment. However, corporate use is expanding rapidly as companies adopt virtual classrooms for employee training and upskilling.

How to choose a virtual classroom platform?

Choosing the right virtual classroom platform affects how effectively you can deliver and manage learning. The goal is not to find the platform with the most features, but the one that fits your teaching style, technical setup, and user needs.

When evaluating options, focus on the following factors:

• Core teaching features: Ensure the platform supports essential tools such as screen sharing, whiteboards, breakout rooms, polls, and session recording. These are critical for running structured and interactive sessions.
• Ease of use: Both instructors and participants should be able to join and navigate sessions without friction. A complex interface increases setup time and reduces engagement.
• Scalability: Consider how many participants you need to support. Some platforms work well for small groups but struggle with large classes or webinars.
• Integration with existing systems: Check if the platform integrates with your LMS or other tools. Support for standards like LTI helps synchronize user data, courses, and progress tracking.
• Device and browser compatibility: Participants should be able to join from different devices and operating systems without installing additional software whenever possible.
• Analytics and reporting: Look for built-in reporting on attendance, participation, and performance. These insights help track progress and improve course delivery.
• Security and privacy: Ensure the platform includes features like access control, encryption, and role management. This is especially important for academic and corporate environments.
• Cost and licensing model: Evaluate pricing based on your usage. Some platforms charge per host, per participant, or per session, which can impact long-term costs.
• Support and reliability: Reliable uptime and responsive technical support are essential. Frequent disruptions can negatively affect the learning experience.

Selecting a platform based on these criteria helps ensure that your virtual classroom supports both teaching objectives and participant needs without unnecessary complexity.

Best practices for a virtual classroom setup

Typically, organizations and educational institutions create their own unique digital learning stack, which meets their individual needs and standards. However, certain practices can help improve the process in most cases. Here are the key best practices for a successful virtual classroom implementation: 

• Simulate a physical learning environment—instructors, teachers, and class participants need features that simulate a physical learning environment, regardless of their current location. Even if participants are viewing the class from their living room, the digital space should look familiar. A virtual classroom can help create a suitable learning environment, using quality streaming, presentation tools, and user-friendly collaboration features.
• Features for interactive teaching—such as digital whiteboards and annotations, emojis, chats, and polls. All of these features help instructors engage participants and create a dynamic and interactive learning environment.
• Breakout groups—are features that split a virtual classroom into mini virtual classrooms, where participants can work in small groups. Instructors can set a time limit for group work and bring all participants back to the main virtual classroom.
• Easy sharing capabilities—instructors often share materials with participants. Instructors need to be able to share screens, video, audio, and other resources. Easy and quick sharing is critical to ensure a positive learning experience.

Virtual classroom with Kaltura

Kaltura Virtual Classroom is your dedicated learning environment, standalone or integrated into your LMS. Engage your students with interactive tools for focused learning and cutting-edge video conferencing that requires no installation or download. From whiteboards to quizzes and breakout rooms, Kaltura Virtual Classroom’s persistent virtual spaces are made for learning.