The primary advantage of the virtual classroom is that it is asynchronous, meaning the student is free to receive the instruction at a different time than it is delivered: the student does not need to show up at a particular time and place to hear the lecture, rather the student may simply log on at a time that is convenient. This scheduling flexibility is of key importance to working adults.
The instructor of a virtual classroom is free to incorporate significant elements from the wider Internet in the learning experience. For example, a lesson in a virtual classroom might involve a short PowerPoint presentation written by the instructor, followed by a link to a historical video, and then return to contribute to a classroom blog discussion of the subject. The conventional time frame of a scheduled classroom lecture does not easily support this flexibility.
In a virtual classroom, students have methods of direct communication with instructors that have distinct advantages over conventional classrooms. Email and instant messaging technology allow students to immediately send their questions to the instructor, even in the middle of a presentation, and scheduled chat times allow for synchronous communication as well. Another benefit of this communication is the level playing field: students need not compete to reserve time with an instructor during office hours or by sitting in the front row, because every communication is delivered identically to the instructor in the virtual classroom.
The flexibility in scheduling is also relevant when considering the cost of travel. Virtual classrooms do not require students to be in residence at a particular geographic location; in fact, students may even be residents of another country while participating actively in a virtual classroom.