Resources for Virtual Volunteers

Interested in making your virtual volunteering experience more meaningful and effective as possible? Check out the below resources for tips and ideas as to how to better engage online.

Best Practices for Virtual Volunteers 3-1-21.mp4

"Best Practices for Virtual Volunteers" Event Recording

On 3/1/21, community partners and students shared stories and tips about virtual volunteering to help virtual volunteers make their volunteering experience as effective and meaningful as possible.

Presenters included: Andrew Corbett '22, St. Mary Health Care Center; Yarimar Figueroa, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Kate Golden, Nativity School of Worcester; Adriana Guadana-Huizar '21, Ascentria Care Alliance; and Myra Villas, Assumption Center.

5 Ways to Make Video Messaging a Little Less Awkward


Zoom friendly warm-ups and ice breakers


25 Strategies to Engage Students on Zoom


Zoom Games for Kids


A list of questions to ask kids:

  1. How was your day?

  2. Did you learn anything new today?

  3. Are you able to play outside later?

  4. What is something that you're looking forward to?

  5. What are you doing for the rest of the week?

  6. How are your classes going?

  7. Do you need help with a certain subject?

  8. How is home?

  9. What are you looking forward to for when the pandemic is over?


Some Zoom Instructions From the Nativity School:

  1. We’re working on math, but how can I see the student’s work?

    1. Use the zoom whiteboard

      1. Share screen

    2. Use idroo.com

      1. A free, interactive whiteboard that allows students to draw on it after you share it with them in the chat

      2. They will sign in with their google chrome and that way you’ll be able to see who is writing

      3. You can also zoom out and have all students working on the same whiteboard but in different areas of the board, so they have to complete all steps

    3. Since you are in small groups, I suggest having students each take on one step of the problem

  2. The students have a flipped classroom assignment (i.e. they’re watching a video or reading an article to prepare for class tomorrow), how do I support them?

    1. Watching a video (on EdPuzzle)

      1. Have one student share his screen but all students will need to watch the video independently

      2. When there are breaks in the videos for questions, the group can come together to work through the question

    2. Reading an Article

      1. Have one student share his screen or share the link with you in the chat, so you can share your screen

      2. Have students popcorn read and come together at the end to share

  3. Google Form, Google Slide, IXL, anything else?

    1. Have students talk it out with you, type questions in the chat, or use the whiteboard

    2. You can always rely on the student screen sharing, so you can see exactly what they need help with!