To create a virtual learning environment, teachers use an online platform, also called a learning management system, to set up their whole course or complementary components for a class they teach in person. Moodle, ATutor, Hot Chalk and Joomla MLS are examples of learning management systems. Moodle, A Tutor and the basic level of Hot Chalk are free. Learning management systems allow you to build an e-learning site that includes lesson plan development, lecture delivery, interactive homework pages, communication methods and tools for recording evaluations.
Most learning management systems also come with a content management system so you can develop content for your course. The content could include weekly outlines or a syllabus, lecture notes for students to read, educational video clips, descriptions of assignments, interactive activities, white board demonstrations on how to perform calculations or other tasks, quizzes, glossaries and other resources and blogs. You can program the virtual learning environment to correct simple assignments and multiple choice tests to provide feedback to students almost instantaneously.
Communication is a vital component to virtual learning environments, especially if the course is 100 percent online. Students can work on assignments collaboratively via wikis and talk to one another and the teacher through discussion boards, online chat and videoconferencing. You can also update your students via email or a daily announcement/newsletter page. If you are teaching students in high school or younger, a virtual learning environment will allow you to send out reminders to students about upcoming due dates and to communicate with parents. Marks and grades can be displayed in the system as well.