Introduction

The WizIQ Virtual Classroom (VC) lets you deliver live and engaging one-to-one or large scale sessions. The WizIQ VC is based on the WebRTC (Web Real Time Communications) technology that does not require you or your learners to install any additional plugins to launch or access the VC respectively. In the VC, you can easily communicate with your learners through the built-in communication tools – audio, video, and chat. Further, you can also share any file or presentation, play a YouTube video directly from the VC, or use the whiteboard to explain any concepts.

Features of the WizIQ Virtual Classroom

The WizIQ VC supports the following features:

• Real-time, audio video streaming
  

Facilitates in simulating a conventional classroom environment through the high-quality audio-video feature. You can also enable the audio-video control for your learners, and conduct face-to-face classes. By default, SD (640p) live video streaming is available; while HD (720p) live video streaming is available in the Enterprise pricing plan.

• Server-side recording
  

Performs real-time audio and video recording in the background when instructors are livestreaming their classes. This feature enables the instructors to create a recording of all the activities they perform on the WizIQ VC screen. The recordings are available in the MP4 format within the Library area of the instructors. Further, the instructors can share the recordings with their learners or save them for future use. By default, all recordings are available in SD (640p); HD (720p) and full-HD (1080p) video recording capabilities are available in the Enterprise pricing plan.

• Advanced interactive and feature-rich whiteboard
  

Offers multiple options to the instructors to draw, illustrate, show diagrams, upload presentations, images, or even play videos from their libraries without any hassles. Further, the whiteboard helps instructors annotate any images, or illustrate and comment on an existing file or image. The whiteboard also offers a full-screen mode to provide instructors with a bigger workspace. Additionally, the instructors can save a specific or all whiteboards they use in a live class as a PDF.

• Advanced collaboration and moderation, and high learner engagement
  

Provides several option for the seamless replication of conventional classroom environments - transferable writing and audio-video controls; real-time peer-to-peer or peer-to-instructor public and private text-based interaction; live polling. Such options ensure frequent learner engagement and help instructors get instant feedback from the learners.

• Live screen and application sharing
  

Facilitates the instructors to share their device screens on the whiteboard interface with the learners. This feature also lets the instructors to enable the screen share option for learners and offer them any remote assistance. Additionally, the application sharing feature lets instructors share any application, such as PPT or Excel with the learners.

• Integrated content library and content sharing
  

Lets you upload, organize, and store your content in the cloud and access the content from anywhere at anytime. The integrated library supports all types of files, and saves you the hassle of transferring and carrying data. Also, it is easy to search for any content and share it with your learners. Additionally, after you upload a content resource to the library, you can reuse it for different classes and courses.

• Collaborative code editor
  

Facilitates collaboration while coding in real-time with the built-in code editor. The shared integrated development environment (IDE) makes it possible for remotely located students to learn to code online or technical teams to work together on code. Further, the Syntax Checker helps you debug any inconsistencies in the code, while the syntax highlighting feature reveals the errors and offers suitable suggestions.

• Live classes on-the-go
  

Offers the flexibility to learners to attend live classes on-the-go using the WizIQ Android and iOS apps.

Virtual Classroom Interface

The WizIQ VC interface is user-friendly, has a rich set of functionalities, and contains various intuitive navigation elements. The VC interface is broadly organized into the following three sections as shown below:

Figure 1: WizIQ Virtual Classroom Interface

• VC header: Displays the name of live class, audio-video enabling and recording options, and options to perform tasks – setting the class end time, conducting a poll, switching layout, sharing screen, viewing the attendees, viewing notifications, and signing out. The various elements displayed in the VC header are as follows:
  

• Live class name: Displays the name of your live class.
  

• Recording and audio video controls: Displays options to record the live class, or toggle between enabling/disabling audio and video.
  

• Timer: Displays time remaining until your live class gets over. The timer also displays the option to extend your live class or end the class.
  

Remember: You cannot extend a live class beyond 300 minutes.

• Polling: Lets you conduct a live poll while the class is underway. You can also create a poll and get feedback after the class is over.
  

• Layout Change: Enables you to switch between different views during a live class with your learners. The available views include:
  

• Default View: Displays your video and chat window on the left along with the instructor workspace on the right.
  

• Enlarged workspace: Displays an enlarged instructor workspace while the video and chat window are hidden.
  

• Fullscreen video: Displays your video in the full-screen mode.
  

• Video conference: Displays your video along with the video of your learners in the form of tiles.
  

Screenshare: Enables you to share your device or application screen with the learners.

• People: Shows the list of attendees in the live class. It also provides you the options to transfer the audio and video controls to a specific learner.
  

• Notifications: Displays notifications pertaining to the live class. For example, if the learners raise their hands, you can see them in the notifications.
  

• Presenter details: Displays your name and picture.
  

• Signout: Lets you sign out of the live class.
  

• Communication pane: Displays your video and chat window that lets you interact with your learners. Additionally, the Private Messages tab in the chat window facilitates private interaction on a one-to-one basis with your learners.
  

• Instructor workspace: Refers to the various elements integrated into the VC that facilitate you in delivering engaging classes. These options include the following:
  

The instructor workspace has a tabbed view structure wherein each element that you select opens in a new tab within the workspace.

• Youtube: Lets you plays YouTube videos directly without requiring to leave the classroom.
  

To enable this option:

1. In the teaching area, select New > Youtube.
   

2. In the Youtube tab that opens, enter the URL of the video you want to play and click .
   The video in the specified URL starts playing.

• Whiteboard: Acts like a digital canvas on which you can write, sketch, insert various shapes, and add an image and annotate it, among others. The whiteboard interface is clean and simple, and contains a vertical toolbox that provides you options, such as pen, highlighter, shapes, pointer, text, undo, and redo, among others.
  

Figure 2: Whiteboard Interface

• Content: Lets you share the files available in your content library with the learners. You can also share any content on your computer using the Choose a File option.
  

• Media Player: Displays the audio or video file available in your library and plays the selected file.
  

• Code Editor: Refers to the built-in code editor that facilitates collaboration and engagement with your learners. This helps your learners to easily learn the coding concepts you might be teaching. Further, the Syntax Checker integrated into the Code Editor, helps you debug any inconsistencies or issues in the code by highlighting the erroneous syntax.
  

You can also save the VC whiteboard(s) or all the content you are sharing with your learners through the VC using the Save as PDF option.

Scheduling and Launching a Live Class

You can schedule a stand-alone live class or as part of a course. You can also specify whether the live class will be open for all visitors or it will be a private class for a selected audience. Further, you can specify other parameters, such as live class duration, maximum number of attendees, and live class recording, among other while scheduling a live class.

To schedule a stand-alone live class