Section 1: Getting Started

1.1 Welcome to VirtualX

Welcome to VirtualX – your all-in-one online learning platform made just for you. Whether you’re in class, at home, or on the go, VirtualX lets you learn at your own pace, complete your schoolwork, and track your progress—all from one easy-to-use place.

🎓 What Is VirtualX?

VirtualX is a smart, digital learning system used by schools across South Africa. It gives you access to:

• 📝 Online lessons (units)
• 🧠 Quizzes and assignments
• 🎓 Certificates and badges
• 📈 Progress tracking
• 📱 Mobile-friendly learning (even offline with PWA)

💡 It works with your teacher, not against them. You’ll still follow your school’s curriculum (like CAPS)—just in a more flexible, digital way.

🧑🏽‍💻 Who Uses VirtualX?

• You, the learner – to study, complete tasks, and improve your marks
• Your teachers – to guide your lessons, give feedback, and track your progress
• Your parents (optional) – to follow along and support your learning

🚀 What You Can Do on VirtualX

With your VirtualX account, you can:

Action	What It Means
✅ Enrol in courses	Join the subjects or classes assigned to you
📘 Read lessons	Go through each topic at your own pace
🧪 Do quizzes and assignments	Test what you’ve learned and earn marks
🎯 Track your progress	See how far you’ve gone and what’s left
🏅 Earn certificates and badges	Celebrate your efforts and achievements
💬 Ask questions and leave comments	Get help or share your ideas in lessons
📱 Learn from your phone or laptop	Anytime, anywhere—even offline!

📌 What Makes VirtualX Special?

• 🇿🇦 Aligned to South African curriculum (CAPS)
• 🧠 Powered by AI tools to support your learning
• 🏫 Used by real schools and real teachers
• 🎓 Helps you grow your confidence and independence

🧑🏽‍🏫 A Message from Your Teachers:

“We’re here to help you succeed—not just in school, but in how you learn. VirtualX gives you the tools, but you are the one who takes the steps. So take your time, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try!”

✅ What’s Next?

In the next section, we’ll show you how to log in and start using your account.

1.2 What You Can Do as a Student

As a student on VirtualX, you are more than just a user—you are an active learner with the tools to take control of your education. Everything on the platform is designed to help you succeed in your subjects, understand your work better, and grow your skills step by step.

Here’s what you can do with your VirtualX student account:

✅ 1. Access Your Courses Anytime, Anywhere

Once enrolled, you can open your courses from any device—computer, tablet, or phone. This means you can:

• Catch up on lessons from home
• Review classwork before a test
• Study ahead during holidays

📘 2. Read and Complete Your Lessons

Each course is broken into units or lessons, just like your textbook. Inside a unit, you might find:

• Explanations of topics
• Images, diagrams, and videos
• Practice questions
• Files to download (like worksheets or study notes)

You can go at your own pace—but always follow your teacher’s schedule!

🧠 3. Do Quizzes and Assignments

You will be expected to:

• Take quizzes to test your knowledge
• Submit assignments (typed answers or file uploads)
• Follow deadlines set by your teacher

Some quizzes are marked instantly. For assignments, your teacher will give feedback later.

🎓 4. Earn Certificates and Badges

When you finish a course or achieve something special, you may receive:

• A certificate (for completing the whole course)
• A badge (for passing a quiz, doing well, or participating)

These rewards are saved in your profile and can be downloaded or shared with your family.

📊 5. Track Your Own Progress

You don’t need to ask your teacher how you’re doing. You can check your:

• Course progress bar
• Quiz marks and feedback
• Assignment status (submitted, pending, or marked)

This helps you stay on top of your learning and take action when needed.

💬 6. Ask Questions and Leave Comments

Stuck on something? You can:

• Post a question inside a unit
• Leave a comment if you’re confused or want to share your opinion
• Reply to other learners (if allowed by your teacher)

Always keep your comments respectful and on-topic.

📱 7. Use VirtualX on Your Phone (PWA Ready)

You can install VirtualX like a mobile app. It works offline too (once your content is loaded). Ask your teacher or visit the Help Centre if you need help installing it.

📌 You’re In Charge of Your Learning

On VirtualX, your teacher will guide the course—but you’re in charge of your journey. Use the tools, stay organised, and ask for help when needed.

🧑🏽‍🏫 A Word of Advice:

“Take your time, read carefully, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Every lesson brings you one step closer to your goals.”

1.3 Logging In to Your Profile

Before you can start learning on VirtualX, you need to log in to your account. Logging in gives you access to your:

• 📘 Courses
• 🧠 Quizzes and assignments
• 📈 Progress dashboard
• 🎓 Certificates and rewards

It’s easy to do—just follow the steps below.

🔐 What You’ll Need

To log in, you’ll need:

• ✅ Your username or email (given by your school or teacher)
• ✅ Your password (set by you or your school)
• ✅ A phone, tablet, or computer with internet

💡 If you forget your login details, your teacher or school admin can help reset them.

🛠️ Steps to Log In

1. Go to the login page
   • Use the link your teacher gave you, or visit:
     🔗 https://your-school.virtualx.tv (replace “your-school” with your school name)
2. Enter your username or email
   • This is usually your school email or a special ID.
3. Enter your password
   • Make sure caps lock is off and spelling is correct.
4. Click “Log In”
   • You will be taken to your student dashboard.

✅ If the login is successful, you’ll see your name at the top and a list of your enrolled courses.

📱 Tip: Save Your Login Details (Safely)

• Use the “Remember Me” option if on your own device
• Never save passwords on public or shared computers
• You can also install VirtualX as a mobile app (PWA) to stay logged in

❓ What If You Can’t Log In?

Problem	What to Do
Forgot password	Click “Forgot Password?” on the login page
Wrong email or username	Double-check with your teacher
Page not loading	Try refreshing, or use a different browser (e.g. Chrome)
Still can’t log in	Contact your teacher or school’s support team

🧑🏽‍🏫 Teacher Note:

“Always log in using the details we gave you. If you’re stuck, don’t wait—ask for help so you don’t fall behind.”

✅ Summary

Logging in is your first step to success on VirtualX. Once you’re in, your learning world opens up—lessons, quizzes, rewards, and more are ready when you are.

1.4 Switching Between Light and Dark Mode

VirtualX allows you to switch between light mode and dark mode, depending on your preference or the lighting in your room.

• 🌞 Light Mode is bright and better during the day
• 🌙 Dark Mode is easier on your eyes at night or in low light

You can change the mode any time—it’s quick and works on both computers and phones.

🛠️ How to Switch Modes (Desktop or Laptop)

1. Log in to your VirtualX account.
2. Look at the top-right corner of your screen (near your profile picture).
3. Click on the moon icon 🌙 to switch to Dark Mode.
   OR
   Click on the sun icon 🌞 to go back to Light Mode.
4. The page will change instantly.

✅ Your choice will stay saved for next time—unless you change it again.

📱 How to Switch Modes (Mobile)

1. Tap the menu icon ☰ (top-right or top-left depending on your school setup).
2. Scroll down and look for the sun/moon icon.
3. Tap it to change your screen mode.

💡 Why Use Dark Mode?

When to Use	Why It Helps
🌙 At night or in low light	Reduces eye strain
😎 If you prefer darker themes	Looks cooler and easier to focus
🔋 On mobile to save battery	Darker colours use less energy

🔁 You Can Change It Anytime

You don’t need to save or reload the page. Just click the icon and the whole dashboard, course area, and lessons will follow your chosen style.

✅ Summary

Light or dark—it’s your choice! VirtualX makes it easy to personalise your learning experience, so your screen feels right for your eyes and environment.

1.5 Understanding the Student Dashboard

Once you’ve logged into VirtualX, the first thing you’ll see is your Student Dashboard. This is your main control panel—where you can see everything you’re busy with, like courses, deadlines, progress, and messages.

Think of it like your digital school desk—all your learning tools are in one place.

🧭 What’s On Your Dashboard?

Here’s a quick guide to the most important parts of your dashboard:

Section	What It Shows
📘 My Courses	All the subjects or lessons you’ve joined
🧠 Progress Bar	How far you’ve gone in each course
📝 Assignments & Quizzes	What’s due soon or what you’ve submitted
📨 Messages or Notifications	Any updates from your teacher
🏅 Certificates & Badges	Your achievements
👤 Profile Icon	Click here to change your details or log out

🖱️ Navigating the Menu

Depending on your school’s setup, you’ll see the main menu on the left-hand side or at the top of the page. You can click:

• Dashboard – to return to your home page
• Courses – to view or enter your subjects
• Messages – to read notes from your teacher
• Profile – to update your name or picture
• Help / Contact – to ask for support

🧑🏽‍🏫 Example in Action:

Thabang logs in and sees:

• “Grade 8 Maths – 60% Complete”
• A notification: “Quiz 3 due tomorrow!”
• A message from his teacher saying “Well done on your assignment!”

He clicks on Maths and continues from where he left off.

📱 Mobile View

On your phone or tablet:

• Tap the ☰ (menu icon) to open your dashboard
• Scroll to find your courses, notifications, or progress
• Everything is mobile-friendly—just tap and go

💡 Tips to Use Your Dashboard Like a Pro

Tip	Why It Helps
Check your dashboard daily	Stay on top of tasks and lessons
Read all messages or alerts	Avoid missing quizzes or deadlines
Use the progress bar	Helps you know when you’re falling behind
Celebrate your badges or certificates	Stay motivated as you learn

✅ Summary

Your dashboard is your home base on VirtualX. It shows you what to do, where to go, and how you’re doing. Visit it every day to stay organised, informed, and in control of your learning.