This pilot study was conducted in order to determine whether a virtual classroom can be assessed, and whether it can be done using already proven techniques for classroom environment assessment. Study participants were 20 graduate students in education enrolled in three different courses offered at a distance via the World Wide Web. Each of the courses was offered by the same instructor and was designed following the same principles. Data were gathered by mailing each student a copy of the College and University Classroom Environment Inventory (CUCEI), which is composed of 49 questions that rate the following seven different factors of the college classroom environment: student cohesiveness; individualization; innovation; involvement; personalization; satisfaction; and task orientation. Thirteen surveys were returned for a 65% return rate. Researchers also collected qualitative information including papers and presentations; discussion questions; online lectures; peer discussion and feedback; and student reflective journals and time logs. Findings indicated that the survey results backed up the qualitative data, and that the CUCEI was promising in its ability to assess the virtual classroom environment and provide instructors with valuable information about student perceptions of the environment. (DLS)