Does Virtual Mean Online?
Why professionals in eLearning should differentiate virtual experiences from online
Virtual is a term that, in the modern era and in eLearning, has nudged its way into much of our everyday discussions. We also chat in the office about holding virtual meetings or virtual gatherings. We learn of virtual courses, virtual colleges, virtual conferences, virtual magicians, virtual DJs, virtual trivia, virtual mentalists, etc.
When we use the word "virtual" in general use, we usually mean online, that is, through a digital device. We use it to describe an activity that does not occur in an in-person physical environment. "Virtual" appears to be an appropriate difference from in-person activities, engagements, and experiences interpreted in this manner.
Yet, the term has another meaning. One that is best understood when we consider that "actual" is the antonym for virtual. When we say something is virtual or a virtual team, we are also saying that it is essentially not real, without necessarily meaning to (though, perhaps, some do mean it). It's not true.
How this confusion complicates the job of professionals
I also struggle with the unfortunate perception that comes with calling online experiences virtual as an online learning producer. Online interactions can be perceived as bastardized versions of in-person interactions, counterfeit in-person event adaptations, or poor "real" engagement substitutes. When "virtual" web experiences are referred to, they join our conceptual construct as not physical.
This unintended connotation will make it even more challenging, and even almost impossible, to create and execute realistic online interactions. By conceptualizing online products, services, or events as not-actual, the eLearning team can face the uphill battle of having to convince their own stakeholders, course content experts, or other contributors that the result will be meaningful and worthy of the effort.
Another common antonym to virtual in 2023 is "live." This implies that a virtual experience is a recorded live event. This is unfortunate since virtual events can be live, real time.
As an obstacle to the challenge of producing web content, the understanding of technology can be just as powerful (or even stronger). For example, in higher education, studies suggest that merely encouraging the adoption of online classes by faculty is a key factor in their success. In both fields, it is also beneficial to shape a pleasant understanding of online education, not just higher ed.
Personally, I have collaborated with experts from many fields to offer various online trainings and to create spaces for engagement. I found that there are just as many individuals who are excited to participate in this work as there are individuals who are not at all pleased with the prospect. I also found that the challenge before my team is not only to create the course, product or atmosphere for these unwilling collaborators, but also to help transform expectations about online interactions. And in this process, the language we use plays a significant part!
If the virtual online will potentially improve
It's good to examine the perceptions we have and be aware of the ways we might perpetuate negative perceptions of online interactions in our discourse as eLearning professionals. There are times when we can find ourselves agreeing with a negative perception just to ease the process or join in the lament of "virtually" or not in-person interaction. Saying “virtual” rather than “online” belittles the online experience and perpetuates the barriers to our own work.
Everyone involved in eLearning should change your language. Frame online interactions in a different manner.
Start thinking about all interactions as actual.
Just because the participants are not all in the same physical room, doesn’t mean it’s “virtual.”
They're not virtual. They're online.
It's not in-person content transfer, it's online interface creation.
It's not wishing we could do this in person. It's reveling in the possibility to reach people through the internet.
We can reshape the preconceived idea that online experiences are not genuine by reframing the vocabulary we use.
Summing up
To all those who say certain things are virtual, I don't suggest we can't use that word at all. The word “virtual” should reflect objects that are truly virtual. On a virtual platform, we may meet in a virtual room, or craft products, or provide services.
Our meetings, however, are not virtual.
The learning, training, and entertainment we provide is real. And the relationships we have online are real.
