Evaluating the reality of using virtual classrooms in tourism education: a theoretical approach

Virtual classrooms are an interactive learning environment in which communication and interaction take place remotely through communication technologies and devices, the need for it arose after the spread of the Corona virus, Virtual classes are similar to traditional classes in terms of the presence of the teacher and students, but they are online and are not restricted by place or time.It is important in overcoming the spatial dimension, recording virtual classes and the shortage of teachers. It requires some requirements to use it (computer or mobile phone, Internet, virtual classroom program, internal or external speakers, microphone, and a web camera). One of the obstacles to its use is the need for infrastructure, and it may be hacked by other people on the Internet. There are many international experiences such as (Alabama High School, Florida Virtual School, and Saudi Virtual School). The study aimed to identify the reality of using virtual classrooms in tourism and hotel faculties in Egypt and it was applied questionnaires of this study were administered to 51 faculty members working in faculties of tourism and hotels at (Helwan, Beni sweif and Sadat) universities. Similarly, the attitudes scale was administered to 424 students majoring in tourism and hotels at (Helwan, Beni sweif and Sadat) universities, analyzing the attitudes scale revealed that students have positive attitudes toward using virtual classes, the results also indicated Tourism and hotel faculties in Egypt effectively implement virtual classes in the educational process and Faculty members have electronic communication skills to use virtual classrooms.