Ways to Plan Extracurricular Activities Online

“Committing time to extracurricular activities during these trying offers students of various age groups and backgrounds a sagacity of normality and also, social connection amidst these indefinite conundrums.” When it comes to the extracurricular activities, “discontinued” and “canceled” has become and has been the recurrent catchphrase during this pandemic. 

But now that the educators have a commotion of emergency under their hands — and many are lagging online than in person in some form – It should be increasingly tried to improve convenience for students to engage in this new virtual code amid the novel circumstances. 

The So-called ‘Online Era’ provides a great sum of options concerning education, collaboration on projects, as well as contributions campaigns. While many of them are organized by the institute themselves, keen to provide suitable outlets for their student’s interests, some activities can be performed independently.

Planning Extracurricular activities

Planning Extracurricular activities can be a challenging and yet bracing task. Plus, Virtual events can also turn out to be a cost-effective means to connect with other professionals. Through the COVID pandemic, a lot of networking and social life shifted online, and virtual event commerce is currently thriving. 

It is much obvious that the spirit of online extracurricular activities cannot serve to be a substitute to physical old-style extracurricular activities – these two can also be seamlessly complementary, for example, in the instance of creating a Project Report. This task requires in-person cooperation at the editorial grounds, as well as inputs from external collaborators who create relevant matters for the report.

The extracurricular activities can include:

• Student Government – Students would mature and enlarge their headship skills to embody the benefits of their peers.
• Webinars
• Language Clubs – Different Language clubs, such as Tamil, Spanish, Telugu, French, etc., can give participants a platform to practice the language, learn about the regions that speak them, and explore the diverse components of culture and history.
• Demos
• Book Clubs – Participants read and converse books with peers that increase their love for reading. Participants are exposed to various genres and learn to have insightful converse.
• Masterclasses
• Q&As
• Panel Discussions
• Virtual conferences
• Institute-wide gatherings
• Art and skills Related Exhibits and Competitions.
• Debates and Extempore
• Academic Activities and Competitions

Ways to Plan Extracurricular Activities Online

Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in shaping skills, boosting creativity, and fostering teamwork among students. With the shift towards online learning, planning extracurricular activities online has become essential. Here are effective ways to organize and execute them successfully:

1. Choose a Platform

Select a user-friendly platform like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet for virtual activities. Ensure it has features like breakout rooms, chat options, and screen sharing for smooth execution.

2. Understand Student Interests

Survey students to understand their interests and preferences. Use tools like Google Forms or polls to collect ideas for activities like debates, coding competitions, art classes, or fitness sessions.

3. Set Clear Objectives

Define the purpose of the activity—whether it’s skill-building, entertainment, or relaxation. Having clear goals ensures the activity remains engaging and productive.

4. Create a Schedule

Plan a fixed schedule for the activities to avoid clashes with academic sessions. Use tools like Google Calendar or Notion to send reminders to participants.

5. Incorporate Technology

Leverage online tools and apps for interactive experiences:

• Use Kahoot or Quizizz for quizzes.
• Canva for design competitions.
• Google Jamboard for brainstorming.

6. Encourage Team Collaboration

Use breakout rooms for group discussions or project-based tasks. This helps students build teamwork skills and feel connected, even in an online setting.

7. Host Virtual Clubs

Start online clubs for activities like book discussions, photography, or coding. Weekly or bi-weekly meetings can keep students engaged consistently.

8. Plan Virtual Events

Organize virtual talent shows, hackathons, or debates. These events can be themed and judged by teachers or guest professionals, making them more exciting.

9. Invite Guest Speakers

Bring in industry experts, motivational speakers, or artists for webinars or workshops. It adds value and broadens students' exposure to different fields.

10. Keep It Interactive

Ensure activities are participatory. Use interactive methods like live polls, Q&A sessions, or gamified tasks to maintain engagement.

11. Provide Incentives

Motivate students by offering certificates, badges, or shoutouts for their participation and achievements.

12. Monitor and Evaluate

Gather feedback through surveys to understand what worked and what didn’t. Use this data to improve future activities.