Having a virtual classroom doesn’t mean that you have to give up your creative side — if anything, it means that you should beef it up a bit.  HOW you may ask? Well there are a few ways that I’ve actually done — and a few ways that I’ve seen other teachers to be quite effective in the virtual classroom.

1) Bring in Props!!

Today’s lesson is about FOOD — Fruits and Vegetables — what easier way to show what you are talking about than to SHOW the students what it is… it adds a little bit of “REAL” to the class.  A lot of countries have different fruits and veggies — and it is interesting to share, especially if you have it in your hands.

2) Sometimes it’s fun to add a little bit of weather into the classroom

I know my studentsalways got a hoot out of seeing snow — as most of them had never experienced it before.  I’d show them shots out of my window — and sometimes at the beg of the class add a little graphics — just to make things a little bit more interesting,.

3) Special Holidays

A lot of teachers take advantage of the fact that there are special holidays that fall on teaching days: ie: Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentines Day etc… These are by far the easiest days to take advantage of to be creative in the classroom.

There are a TON of ways for you to to spice up your virtual classroom — as an online teacher its important that you find a way that your students respond to best.  They’ll like it — try it! :)