Computer and the internet have revolutionized every sector of the world including the educational sector. Through online media like Zoom, Google Meet, Twitter, Youtube etc billions of people in different location can share ideas in a matter of seconds at a low cost. This revolution is also evidential in the academic sector in the form of Virtual Learning.

Virtual Learning has been going on following developments in the internet space, but with the pandemic and lock downs all over the world virtual interaction became explosive and was incorporated in every sector of the society, academics not left out. School became online and virtual learning became the only means to keep the academic sector going.

What is Virtual Learning? Virtual Learning is designed to be an extension of academic experience. It is a learning experience that is upgraded through making use of computer or internet both inside or outside educational institutions. Learning is done online and both the teachers and the Students are separated by distance in terms of place, time or both.

Virtual Learning comes in several form, they include;

i. Internet Based : In Internet Based Virtual Learning instructions are provided by a software and delivered through web and stored on a remote server.

ii. Computer Based : In Computer Based Virtual Learning instructions are provided by a software on a local server or computer.

iii. Remote Teacher Online : In this form of Virtual Learning instructions are provided by a teacher who is not physically present with the Students. But interaction is initiated through the internet via online video.

Will Virtual Learning shape education and learning the way we know it

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Following the Pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, virtual learning became a way to keep education going, it is not a replacement to physical classroom learning but an enhancement and extension of educational experience. How will virtual Learning shape education and learning?

i. Virtual Learning environment opens up Students to new opportunities to be involved in classes on their own pace or schedule. They are able to learn at their own pace. When their is little or no pressure which is normally evidential in physical classroom learning students will feel more comfortable and relaxed, it is easier to learn under such conditions.

ii. Virtual Learning is very inclusive especially for students with disabilities, it gives them easier access to classes that may not be available in physical learning. With virtual Learning Students can access vast educational resources that betters their learning experience, they are not limited to certain textbooks or materials which is the case in physical learning.

iii. Virtual Learning is cost effective and that is a great benefit of Virtual Learning. Since it does not require physical classroom, students who stay off campus can take lessons at the comfort of their home, this reduces transportation expenses, data cost for video conferencing is very low and of added to school fees Students pay this would reduce the cost to its minimum.

iv. Virtual Learning allows both teachers and students to improve their technology skills through their understanding and operating of the latest digital applications required for virtual Learning such as Zoom, Google Meet etc. It also makes teaching easier, because teachers can provide instant feed backs to students and allows for necessary corrections to be made, it also makes it easier for online quiz to be given and marked instantly.

Do you think your University will incorporate virtual Learning

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I don't think UNEC will incorporate virtual Learning into their school curriculum because of the following reasons;

i. Internet Connectivity

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Virtual Learning is great when the internet works, this is the major issue since learning is done via online video. Poor will make it difficult for students to hear or see what is going on. As a result students may miss lessons, quiz or even exams because of poor internet connection.

ii. Distraction and Truancy

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In a physical classroom only learning activities take place which is quite different for one who is not in a classroom probably in the hostel or lodge which is normally rowdy. It is easier for such Student to get distracted. Also Students may opt out from online classes to pursue other distractions from social media without the lecturer knowing. Virtual Learning attendance maybe difficult to get and this provides Student the opportunity to skip classes.

iii. Population is another challenge to virtual Learning in my school, the number of students is more than the capacity a zoom meeting can allow, this becomes a problem for the lecturers to solve. Also it will be easier for students to cheat during online quiz or test because invigilating is difficult.

iv. We all know in this country we have issues with power supply, sometimes we experience blackouts and virtual Learning makes use of electronic devices, this means that if their is power failure which can last for days no virtual lectures will hold.

Virtual Learning is plausible but not on a wide scale. So to achieve this lecturers and students need proper training on how to conduct and organizing virtual classes. This is very necessary to avoid disorganization. A schedule must be drawn out for when and how virtual classes should be held. The technological equipment and tools that allows for good internet connection should be put in place, in UNEC the wifi network is limited to certain areas and in UNEC WiFi network is very poor in the hostels.

I have had an experience with virtual learning. In school we had our contract law quiz via online using Google Meet, also during network marketing we do have online classes on Zoom which was quite interesting but poor internet connection is always the problem. Zoom consumes less data and it is well organized if you have good internet connection. On zoom you make use of short educative video clips which all those in the zoom meeting can watch.

Conclusion

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Like I said virtual Learning is not a replacement to physical learning but an extension of educational experience. In most public Institutions in Nigeria virtual learning will be achieved if the right facilities and organization are put in place this will prevent the lecturers nd students from being overwhelmed.