Engaging Students through Extracurricular Programmes: A Virtual Platform in the COVID-19 Era

This case study of our collective response as staff and students engaged in extracurricular activities is a vital contribution to the understanding of student life in the COVID-19 era. First, we introduce our extracurricular programmes. We then position our work within the context of COVID-19 and our response - utilising and enhancing an established virtual platform. We argue extracurricular activities can continue to thrive in the virtual environment providing benefits for students and staff alike. To illustrate this, we offer two personal vignettes from staff and students at NUI Galway, concluding with the opportunities and challenges of a virtual platform.