Identifying Impacts of Virtual Learning Environment on Students

This report investigates the impacts of virtual learning environments on student learning. The study begins with an introduction outlining the aim, objectives, and rationale for examining the effects of online education, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature review provides a conceptual understanding of virtual learning, explores the challenges faced by educators in distance learning, and analyzes the critical impacts of virtual learning on students' learning outcomes. The research employs a qualitative methodology, collecting primary data through questionnaires and secondary data from literature, followed by thematic analysis of the collected information from a sample of 30 students. Key findings reveal varying student perceptions on the effectiveness of virtual learning compared to traditional learning methods, highlighting issues such as noise, internet disruptions, and the need for technical and communication skills. The analysis also explores the positive and negative impacts of virtual learning on student behavior and learning, including increased independence, errors in practical subjects, and improved technical skills. The report concludes with recommendations to enhance the virtual learning experience and references used in the study.

Digital Skills Research

Contents
TITLE: To identify impacts of virtual learning environment on students’ learning.......................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Aim and objectives......................................................................................................................3
Rationale......................................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
Concept of virtual learning..........................................................................................................4
Problems faced by teachers in distanced learning.......................................................................4
Critical impacts of virtual learning on students’ learning...........................................................5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................5
Research type...............................................................................................................................5
Data collection.............................................................................................................................5
Data analysis................................................................................................................................6
Sample.........................................................................................................................................6
KEY FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS...............................................................................................6
CONCLSION................................................................................................................................12
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................15
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................15

TITLE: To identify impacts of virtual learning environment on students’ learning.
INTRODUCTION
Virtual learning can sometime be known as distanced learning or learning that is being
developed through computers as well as internet both outside and inside of the educational
organization. It can be developed within organization or educational place or at home as well. It
plays a vital role in some specific situation (Govindarajan and Srivastava, 2020). This study will
discuss some impacts that this learning style and environment has on students learning in both
positive and negative manner. It will also discuss importance of data collection and data analysis
as it helps researcher in making better decision as well as accomplish goals. In regards to virtual
learning it is found that it motivates students because in this type, feedbacks are being given to
them in a timely manner and on the basis of reviews and feedbacks they can improve learning
accordingly.
Aim and objectives
Aim: to discuss impacts that virtual learning environment can have on students’ learning
Objectives:
 To discuss the main concept of virtual learning.
 To identify problems faced by tutor in distanced learning.
 To explore critical impacts of distanced learning environment on learning of students.
Rationale
To continue learning and teaching is one of the main reasons of selecting this topic because in
this current covid-19 situation, students get affected the most. So, by identifying impacts, better
ways can be developed that can help both teachers and students in increasing learning. To make
students able to adapt changes and becoming flexible is other main reason. B developing virtual
learning environment in better way and identifying impacts, students can be made aware about
its effectiveness and encouraged them in participating in it (Vergara and et.al., 2019).

LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of virtual learning
As stated by Govindarajan and Srivastava, 2020 Virtual learning is a learning experience
in which learning is enhanced through utilization of computer or internet. Virtual learning is used
both inside and outside facilities of educational organization. This learning involves giving
instruction and teaching or learning with help of technology and takes place in online
environment. This means that teaching and learning practices are carried out online in which
teachers and learners are physically separated. There are several forms of virtual learning that
includes computer-based in which instructions are provided by software installed in computer.
Internet-based learning in which instruction are provided by remote server. Remote teacher
online in this instructions are provided by teacher but without being physically present with
students. Blended learning, this is learning that involves virtual learning with computer based,
internet based or remote teacher online. Facilitated virtual learning is also a virtual learning in
which instructions are facilitated by a human facilitator. These are different types in which
virtual learning takes place but one of the important is use of technology for the learning.
Problems faced by teachers in distanced learning
According to Alea and et.al., 2020 distance learning has facilitated continued learning
when teacher and students cannot learn at the same place. But this form of learning and teaching
has several challenges and teachers face several problems in distance learning. This involves
problem in detailing. This means that learning and teaching is already complex in distance
learning but this difficulty is added by detailing. This means in distance learning teacher faces
problems while detailing concepts. In addition to this teachers also face problems in quality of
instruction, this means that face to face learning was easier and it was easy to provide quality
instructions. Technical difficulties with online teaching tools, this means that distance learning is
significantly based on technology and online teaching tools and difficulties with these tools also
create difficulty and problem for teachers. Lack of motivation in online learners is also a problem
for online learners in which motivation of students is very low compared to situation when they
are learning face to face.

Critical impacts of virtual learning on students’ learning
In words of Huang and et.al., 2019 virtual learning have significant impact on students’
learning. Virtual learning has had significant impact on satisfaction and recall of students. There
are several elements of this learning that has made positive impact of students learning, in which
element of anywhere, anytime is one of the impacts. This means that students can learn and join
their learning session regardless of time and place they are at. Other than this, virtual learning
also has a positive impact in which there is a combination of structure and freedom. This means
that there is a structure that students require to follow in virtual learning but it also gives freedom
from traditional and conventional classroom learning. Immediate feedbacks on test are also an
positive impact where immediate test results help students in better assessing themselves. But
because this is different from conventional teaching and learning and this is why students and
their motivation get affected and this has negative impact on their learning.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research type
It refers a form in which researcher gathers data and it may be either in numerical form or in
non-numerical form. When researcher gathers data in words form or non numerical form then it
is considered as qualitative research. Whereas, data gathered in numerical form is known as
quantitative research. Selection of data analysis tools also depend on this element so, it is
important for researcher to follow this element (Salimi and Maknoon, 2018). For this study,
scholar has selected qualitative research and it gathers data in non-numerical form.
Data collection
Data collection is other main elements that can help researcher in accomplishing goals. With the
help of data they can know that what people think related to the topic and why they think like
this. There are mainly 2 types of data collection such as: primary and secondary. In primary data
collection, researcher gathers all new data that may never be used before by others. In other
secondary type of data collection, they gather second hand data that has already been published.
For this research study for knowing impacts of virtual learning environment for students,
researcher has made use of both primary and secondary data. The reason behind it is to make

better decision and knowing actual views of students. Sources of primary data are: questionnaire,
interview, survey and others. Books and journals, internet, literature are sources of secondary
(Gnann and et.al., 2018). By conducting literature and questionnaire, all data has been gathered
by researcher via internet or online.
Data analysis
For making better use of data, it is important for researcher to analyze them or molding them for
making changes in them. It makes gathered data accurate and authentic. Qualitative and
quantitative are 2 data analysis tools. It is stated that selection of data analysis tools depend on
type of research as this study is qualitative research so, researcher had made use of qualitative
data analysis tools. Thematic analysis has been selected as qualitative data analysis tools for
making gathered data accurate (Lowe and et.al., 2018).
Sample
Sample refers target people that are being selected by researcher for gathering information.
Selection of target people also depends on the topic. Process of selecting people is known as
sampling that is divided into 2 types such as random and non random (Wang, Gao and Li, 2018).
In random sampling, target people are being selected randomly and in non-random they are
being targeted as non random or on the basis of some criteria. 30 students are being selected as
target people.
KEY FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS
Theme 1: virtual learning is better than normal learning?
Answers Frequency
Yes 10
No 20

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation 1: On the basis of above data it can be said that there are several differences
between virtual learning and normal learning. The main reason behind lot of differences between
these 2 types of learning is normal learning does not require making use of internet and digital
tools. Virtual learning is all about teaching with internet or making use of mobile, laptop, Tablet
and others. In this regard out of 30 random students, 20 students believe that virtual learning is
not better than normal learning because there is lack of face to face communication. Whereas, 10
students believe that virtual learning is better than normal learning as it increases their technical
knowledge along with normal learning.
Theme 2: Problems do you face while learning online by making use of laptop in virtual
learning?
Answers Frequency
Noise at home 17
Interrupting internet 13

Noise at home
Interrupting internet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Frequency
Column1
Interpretation 2: In regards to virtual learning it is found that developing this environment is
not an easy task as students and teachers both face some problems. In the context of problems in
virtual learning, 17 students said that noise is one of the main problems if they learn from home
via making use of laptop and other tools. They also said that noise and lack of peaceful
environment leads to distractions and it affects their learning in a negative manner as they miss
some important things that are being taught online. 13 students said that internet disruption is one
of the main problems that they face either learning inside education organization or from home.
Due to this, students miss some important things or points in learning.

Theme 3: what skills are required in making virtual learning successful?
Answers Frequency
Communication 10
Time management 8
Technical 12
Frequency
Communication
Time management
technical
Interpretation 3: On the basis of above graph it can be said that skills play a vital role in making
virtual learning effective and successful. In this context, 12 students said that technical skill is
must for improving this environment for both students and teachers. 10 other students said that

they feel that communication plays a vital role because interaction and ability to listen can make
students able in understanding things and improving learning. Teachers also require this skill for
making students understand about topic of study in an effective manner. 8 students interpret that
time management skill plays a vital role because in virtual learning students procrastinate that
may affect their learning in negative manner.
Theme 4: What impacts does virtual learning have on your behavior and learning
Answers Frequency
Increases independency
6
Errors in practical subjects
7
Distraction or lack of discipline 8
Improves technical skills
9

Increases
independe
ncy
Errors in
practical
subjects
Distraction
or lack of
discipline
Improves
technical
skills
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Frequency
Frequency
Interpretation 4: From above graph it can be interpreted that virtual learning has both positive
and negative impacts on overall learning on students. Out of 30 students, 8 students said that
virtual learning distracts them due to several factors and other apps that run in background of
students. 6 students said that virtual learning can increase independency among students because
they know that due to lack of face to face communication, they have to learn at their own. They
do not have any other option to solve so many queries and the try to find solutions at their own
that increases independency. 9 students said that it helps students and teachers both in increasing
technical skills they can better use technical in virtual learning. Remaining 7 students said that it
increases errors in practical subjects such as math and others because it is not possible for
students to understand all things at once. It can affect their learning and create barriers in getting
higher marks.

CONCLSION
It has been summarized from the above study that virtual learning plays a vital role as it
has several positive impacts on learning of students. It has also shown some negative impacts of
this virtual learning environment on overall learning as teachers also face some problems while
teaching in this environment. Further, it has discussed some elements of research methodologies
such as research strategy, data collection and data analysis. All these elements play a vital role in
research project and helps researcher in making decision and accomplishing pre determined
goals of research study. It has shown reasons of developing virtual learning environment such as:
motivating students, continuing learning in critical situation such as climate change: Covid 19
and others. Some problems that teachers face in this virtual learning include: such as focusing on
each student individually, distracted learners.
RECOMMENDATIONS
From the above study it is found that students and teachers face some problems so in this
regard it can be recommended to educational organizations that they should focus o providing
training to students. By providing training they can make them aware and train them about ways
of making use of internet and tools via which virtual learning is being developed. It can increase
their skills and knowledge. It can also be recommended to teachers that they should focus on
making a group of students if there are numbers of students because it is not possible for teachers
to teach to all students at one time so, by making groups they can take session in this virtual
learning.