近幾年來，電腦和網路科技的發展可說是一日千里，各式各樣的軟、硬體設備和網路資源都相繼問世，提供我們許多前所未有的服務，而人類對於電腦和網路的依賴程度也相對提高。有許多專家認為，未來的時代將是一個網路資訊時代，因此加強國民的網路和資 訊教育是一項非常重要的工作。 為了配合教育部所推動的遠距教學計劃，我們特別研究並發展網路小學虛擬教室系統，希望能提供國小學童上網學習的環境。由於這套系統是建立在全球資訊網上面，使用者只要透過瀏覽器連接到新竹師範學院網址www.nhctc.edu.tw，選擇網路小學虛擬教室鏈結就可進入參觀或學習。我們並且將這套系統製作成光碟版，以供沒有連接網際網路的學校或個人使用。 網路小學虛擬教室乃結合網際網路、虛擬實境、電腦輔助教學等三方面的技術，並配合小學一年級國語、數學、社會、自然等科目的最新教材和學習評量所完成。在網路的學習環境下，學童不但可以獲得教材方面的知識，還可以熟悉電腦的操作和網路的使用，因此無論是學校的上課或是個人在家中學習，都可用來當作最佳的輔助工具。又因為系統本身具有遠距教學的特性，使用者能透過網路在任何時間、任何地點、依據自己的能力來進行學習。網路虛擬教室可適用的範圍很廣（從小學、中學到專科以上），也沒有時間和空間的限制，又容易引發學習者的興趣，因此非常適合用來當作電腦輔助教學的工具。我們同時也希望對這項研究有興趣的人士，能一起投入建立網路教育資源的行列。

　　　　　In recent years, the development in computer and network technologies has advanced in flying speed. A variety of software and hardware equipment as well as network resources are brought to our life, which provide us with all kinds of services that we never expected before. Many experts predict that next century will be the age of network and information. Therefore, the improvement of computer and network skills are very important for our people. To follow Distance-Learning project boosted by the Ministry of Education, we study and develop an Internet Virtual Classroom system for the application in elementary schools. Our major purpose is to provide students with network learning environments. This system has been constructed on World-Wide-Web(WWW), so users can enter the system by using browsers like Netscape or Microsoft IE. After connecting to the web site of National Hsin-Chu Teachers College (http://www.nhctc.edu.tw), we can enter by simply selecting the link to "Internet Virtual Classroom". We have also developed CD version of Internet Virtual Classroom, which can be used under environments where Internet is not available. Internet Virtual Classroom has combined the technologies of Internet, Virtual Reality (VR), and Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI), and materials from the first-grade textbooks of Chinese, Mathematics, Sociology, and Nature as well. Under network learning environments, students can receive knowledge from class materials and gain experiences in computer operation and network usage. As a result, the system can sever as a perfect CAI tool no matter used in school or at home. It also preserves the characteristics of distance learning, so users can start learning at any time, from any where, and according to their own ability.