Does virtual mean online?

Virtual experiences from online: why professionals in elearning should differentiate virtual experiences from online

In the modern era and in eLearning, the term virtual has nudged its way into everyday discussions. We 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, through a digital device. We use “virtual” to describe an activity that does not occur in an in-person, physical environment. “Virtual” is a difference from in-person activities, engagements, and experiences interpreted in this manner. The term “virtual” has another meaning. The word “actual” is an antonym for virtual. When we say something is virtual or a virtual team, we are saying it is not real, without necessarily meaning to (though, perhaps, some do mean it). It’s not true.

How the virtual vs online confusion complicates the job of professionals

I 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 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 2025 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 beas powerful (or even stronger). In higher education, studies suggest that merely encouraging the adoption of online classes by faculty is a factor in their success. In both fields, it is beneficial to shape a pleasant understanding of online education, not higher ed. Personally, I have collaborated with experts from many fields to offer online trainings and to create spaces for engagement. I found that there areas many individuals who are excited to participate in this work as there are individuals who aren’t at all pleased with the prospect. I found that the challenge before my team is not only to create the course, product or atmosphere for these unwilling collaborators, but to help transform expectations about online interactions. In this process, the language we use plays a 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 to ease the process or join in the lament of “virtually” or not in-person interaction. Saying “virtual” 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 manner. Start thinking about all interactions as actual. Just because the participants aren’t all in the same physical room, doesn’t mean it’s “virtual.”

They are not virtual. They are 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 aren’t 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 virtual. On a virtual platform, we may meet in a virtual room, or craft products, or provide services. Our meetings, aren’t virtual. The learning, training, and entertainment we provide is real. The relationships we have online are real.