Determine if the virtual classroom that you seek to create online will have an interface that "looks" like a real classroom or if the virtual classroom will simply be a distance learning environment with real-time student participation over the Internet. Alternatively, you may be seeking to develop both--a virtual classroom available for students via distance learning on the Internet--to take advantage of the benefits of both options.
Hire a programmer to create the platform and design the website. His job will be to create a virtual classroom appearance and structure to your specifications and/or make the website equipped to allow students to log in and interact real-time via web cams, virtual classroom discussions and real-time chats. You can also use a ready-made virtual classroom or distance learning interface like Nicenet.org or Blackboard.
Provide the students with a syllabus to guide the distance learning over the Internet. The syllabus should include the textbooks needed to complete the course or web links to virtual textbooks. Include a time line to structure the readings, assignments, projects and homework assignments. Also, provide the date and times for all virtual classroom sessions so that the students can plan for the sessions in their schedule and sign in for the lectures or lessons accordingly. If lectures will be delivered via pre-recorded video, then provide the appropriate links.
Assign class projects to the students. Use web cams, real-time chats, message boards and email to teach the lessons, correspond regarding assignments, and communicate via lectures. These tools will also enable students to complete class projects in a team or group via the virtual classroom distance learning environment. Carry this out in a similar way to traditional class projects that would be assigned and completed in an actual physical classroom environment.
Invest in a program or application that allows pop quizzes and tests to be issued to the students, if your virtual classroom and distance learning program does not already provide the application. Many applications will provide students with immediate grade results for true and false or multiple-choice portions of the test. You will still need to grade the short answers and essay questions.