Large Virtual Classroom Management

R E S O U R C E C O L L E C T I O N

Learn strategies for managing large groups of students in online learning

RESOURCE TYPE: SELF-GUIDED

DURATION: 30 - 60 min.

FOCUS AREA:

Who is this page for?

The resources on this page are for educators looking for guidance and continued development around managing large virtual classrooms. These resources support instructors who teach high-enrollment courses and are seeking practical strategies to foster engagement, maintain structure, and support student success at scale.

Learning Objectives

Identify key challenges and opportunities associated with managing large virtual classrooms.
Apply strategies to support student engagement, communication, and participation in high-enrollment online courses.
Design scalable instructional practices that promote clarity, consistency, and inclusive learning experiences.
Evaluate classroom management approaches to determine which strategies effectively support learner success in large virtual settings.

Foundational Context

Start here to gain grounding context about best practices for large virtual classroom management. Each learning experience should take 5-10 min. to complete. Aim to complete each learning experience in one session as your place will not be saved.

Engagement Strategies for Large Virtual Classroom Success is an introductory self-guided microlearning activity that will take approximately 5–10 minutes to complete. In this course, educators will develop strategies to create engaging and inclusive large virtual classroom experiences. The IMPACTS principles this course is associated with are Motivate, Plan, and Create.

Celebrating Achievements and Milestones in Large Virtual Classrooms is an introductory self-guided microlearning that will take approximately 5-10 min. to complete. In this course, educators will explore the vital role of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of your learners. The IMPACTS principles this course is associated with are Motivate and Create.

Utilizing Teaching Assistants in Virtual Classrooms Effectively is an introductory self-guided microlearning that will take approximately 5-10 min. to complete. In this course, educators will dive into the learning about how teaching assistants (TAs) can supercharge virtual learning. The IMPACTS principles this course is associated with are Plan.

Addressing Challenges and Resolving Conflict in Large Virtual Cohorts is an introductory self-guided microlearning that will take approximately 5-10 min. to complete. In this course, educators will learn about strategies and techniques that will help you to identify and navigate arising conflicts. The IMPACTS principles this course is associated with are Advocate, Target, and Self-Evaluate.

Practice and Apply

Download activity worksheets to practice and use when preparing for large classroom session. Click on the button to launch in a new window.

Engagement Strategies

Classroom Expectations Checklist Activity Worksheet

Celebrating Achievements and Milestones

Planning to Celebrate Your Learners Worksheet

Utilizing Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistant Collaboration Plan Worksheet

Addressing Challenges and Resolving Conflicts

Conflict Resolution Strategies Worksheet

R E F E R E N C E S

Engagement Strategies for Large Virtual Classroom Success
Illustrations provided by Storyset https://storyset.com
Kern, Amanda. “Creating an Inclusive Virtual Classroom.” Edutopia, 26 June 2020, www.edutopia.org/article/creating-inclusive-virtual-classroom.
Sharma, Nitin. “Best Practices and Expectations for Online Teaching.” Hurix Digital, 9 Oct. 2023, www.hurix.com/best-practices-and-expectations-for-online-teaching.
Leary, Amanda. “Principles and Strategies for Inclusive Language in Class Environments - Notre Dame Learning.” Notre Dame Learning -, 12 Sept. 2023, learning.nd.edu/resources/principles-and-strategies-for-inclusive-language-in-class-environments.
Helping Students Get Started in an Online Class – Teaching Resources. teaching-resources.delta.ncsu.edu/helping-students-get-started.
Icebreakers for Online Classes | Centre for Teaching Excellence. uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/catalogs/tip-sheets/icebreakers-online-classes
Sinky Zheng, Meixun. “Low-Risk Strategies to Promote Active Learning in Large Classes.” Faculty Focus Premium.
“Nuts and Bolts: How to Rock Your Virtual Classroom With Participant Chat : Learning Solutions | the Learning Guild.” Copyright 2024 the Learning Guild. Copyright 2024: Powered by Cyclone Enterprise: Content Management Solutions and Dynamic Publishing System Developed by Cyclone Interactive Multimedia Group, Inc. http://www.cycloneinteractive.com, Powered by Cyclone and Powered by Cyclone Enterprise. Portional ColdFusion Programming Provided by Finial Software, Inc. www.finial.com, www.learningguild.com/articles/1953/nuts-and-bolts-how-to-rock-your-virtual-classroom-with-participant-chat.
Let’s Chat About Chatting! (Session Review) | Education Technology Office (ETO). edtech.engineering.utoronto.ca/blog/lets-chat-about-chatting-session-review#examples.
Inclusive Language Guide
First Live Session - Setting Expectations
Practical Strategies on Managing Large Classrooms

Celebrating Achievements and Milestones in Large Virtual Classrooms
Illustrations provided by Storyset https://storyset.com
Large Cohort Student Tracker

Utilizing Teaching Assistants in Virtual Classrooms Effectively
Illustrations provided by Storyset https://storyset.com
Venable, Melissa A., PhD. “Working With Online Teaching Assistants.” Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning, 15 June 2023, www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/working-with-online-teaching-assistants.
University of Pittsburgh. “Graduate Student Teaching Initiative: Working With Your TAs.” Pitt: University Center for Teaching and Learning, 2018, teaching.pitt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GSTI-Working-with-Your-TAs.pdf. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
Getting Started With Collaborating With Teaching Assistants | Center for Teaching Innovation. teaching.cornell.edu/resource/getting-started-collaborating-teaching-assistants.
“Center for Teaching and Learning : UMass Amherst.” Center for Teaching & Learning : UMass Amherst, www.umass.edu/ctl/resources/how-do-i/how-do-i-involve-tas-learning-process.

Addressing Challenges and Resolving Conflict in Large Virtual Cohorts
Illustrations provided by Storyset https://storyset.com
Cornell University. (n.d.). Getting started with managing classroom conflict: Center for teaching innovation. Getting Started with Managing Classroom Conflict | Center for Teaching Innovation. https://teaching.cornell.edu/resource/getting-started-managing-classroom-conflict
Handling Conflict in an Online Environment (Good Vs Bad) | Online Teaching. onlineteaching.umich.edu/articles/handling-conflict-in-an-online-environment-good-vs-bad.