Beyond Classroom Walls: Top 10 Virtual School Activities for your students

Explore these top 10 virtual school activities to engage and inspire your students in the online learning environment!

Technology in this day and age has helped transcend education beyond the traditional classroom setting. With more and more digital tools being introduced every day, these innovative approaches to traditional learning have opened up more room for opportunities. As we explore the Top 10 list of activity ideas, the benefits of virtual school activities become evident. Embracing virtual education is highly beneficial and opens up a world of opportunities for students and educators alike. 

Virtual School Activities for your students

Interactive Online Discussions 

These online discussions can be held through the many available video conferencing tools such as Google Meet, Zoom, WebEx, and many more. Not only will it be convenient as it would eliminate the need of booking venues and the rest of the physical work that comes with organizing an event, students will have more time to prepare for their discussions.

Online conference/seminars: Engage students in discussions on various topics.

Virtual book clubs: Assign students a title to read a week beforehand and discuss the books together. Students can share their insights, and explore literary themes.

Debates: Organize virtual debates where students can research and present arguments on different subjects. There are many different debate styles. Some of the most common types of debate include team policy, cross-examination, spontaneous argumentation, public forum, and parliamentary debates. These debates are differentiated by topics, the number of debaters, time limits, and access to resources.

Digital Presentations

Digital presentations are a common virtual activity for students that can be held in the classroom and also from the comfort of their own homes. Many class projects and assignments require students to prepare their own digital presentations. The earlier students are introduced to the skill of crafting their own presentation slides, the better equipped they become to communicate and present information effectively in various academic and professional settings. By learning to create engaging and visually appealing slides, students develop crucial communication and digital literacy skills that can serve them well throughout their educational journey and beyond. 

Multimedia presentations: Assign students to create presentations using tools like Canva, PowerPoint, Prezi, or Google Slides. They can learn to incorporate images, videos, and audio to enhance their projects.

Digital storytelling: Have students create digital stories using tools like Storybird allowing them to express their creativity through writing and visuals.

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual field trips can breathe new life into the mundane routine of your students, offering a fun and refreshing change to the average class lessons. There are a variety of educational activities that can be done using Google Maps in the classroom. 

Museums and art galleries: Explore famous museums and art galleries worldwide through virtual tours, allowing students to examine artifacts and artworks.

Historical sites: Visit historical landmarks and archaeological sites virtually, providing students with a glimpse into the past.

Science and nature exploration: Take virtual trips to natural reserves, zoos, or space exploration centers, offering an immersive experience in science and nature.

Fun Online Games and Quizzes

Sometimes students just need a break. Perhaps after a nerve-wracking mid-term or final exam, they should be allowed to take it easy and unwind a little. What better way to do this other than hosting online games and quizzes?

Online quizzes: Use platforms like Kahoot! or Quizlet to create interactive quizzes that engage students while assessing their understanding of the material. (find those fun quizzes example)

Virtual gamified learning: Implement gamification elements, such as educational games and quizzes, to make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable.

Benefits of virtual school activities for your students

Virtual school activities encourage active participation and engagement

Interactive online discussions can encourage active participation and engagement among students. Especially for introverted students who are uncomfortable sharing their thoughts and insights in front of the class. This could be an effective way to get them to participate. This activity can also foster their critical thinking and analytical skills. When engaging in discussions, students learn to empathize with the other party and learn how to communicate effectively and respectfully. Moreover, it enhances students’ understanding of diverse perspectives. 

Organizing virtual field trips offers experiential learning opportunities for students. It enhances cultural awareness and provides students with access to inaccessible or distant locations. Travelling can be costly, and not everyone is privileged enough to experience it in person. It is a great way for students to “see the world” albeit virtually. 

Virtual school activities promote creativity and self-expression

The benefits of digital projects and presentations are vast. Firstly, it encourages creativity and self-expression among students. Students will also develop research skills while collecting data and information for their projects. On top of enhancing their digital literacy and technological proficiency, students can brush up on their presentation skills. Assigning students to digital projects and presentations, whether individually or in groups, can facilitate independent learning, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. 

In conclusion, virtual activities have transformed education, offering a wealth of benefits for students. From interactive online discussions that foster critical thinking to virtual trips that broaden horizons, these activities provide engaging and immersive learning experiences. Digital projects develop digital literacy skills and foster creativity in the classroom. On the other hand, online quizzes enable timely feedback and personalized learning for students. Incorporating virtual activities in lessons expands educational opportunities, enhances students’ engagement, and prepares them for the demands of a technology-driven world. Embracing the endless possibilities of virtual education can harness the power of these activities to educate, inspire and empower the next generation of learners.