Can Virtual Classrooms Make Art More Interesting for Students? Here’s What We Found

With the rise of online education, one question that keeps coming up is whether subjects like art can truly be taught well through virtual classrooms. Unlike theory-based subjects, art depends a lot on visual learning, hands-on practice and personalised feedback. But many teachers and students are now exploring how online tools, video tutorials and interactive

I chose to write about this because art education often doesn’t get the attention it deserves in our school system. In most schools, art is pushed aside as an “extra” subject. But with the help of technology, art might finally get a chance to shine. I’ve seen students become more confident when they have access to tools that let them express themselves freely, without fear of being judged in a classroom. This topic is important because it talks about giving students more ways to connect with creativity—and also challenges the old belief that online learning is only good for science or maths.

How Virtual Classrooms Are Changing Art Education

Virtual classrooms can offer a lot of flexibility that traditional classrooms often can’t. In art classes especially, where each student may work at their own pace, online platforms can be a great advantage. Here’s how:

Recorded video tutorials: Students can pause, rewind, and re-watch steps to learn techniques
Live sessions: Interactive drawing or painting sessions can still be held using digital tools like styluses and tablets
Digital submissions: Students can scan or upload their artwork for feedback
Virtual museum tours: Online visits to art galleries help students understand history, styles and famous works without leaving home

For example, a teacher can take the class on a virtual walk through the Louvre Museum using a screen-share and explain the details of a painting like Mona Lisa with zoom tools.

Why Students Might Find Art More Engaging Online

In a virtual setup, there is less fear of being compared to others. Students feel more confident experimenting with their work because they’re not being watched all the time. Teachers also get more space to provide written or recorded feedback, which students can revisit later.

Plus, students who live in smaller towns or rural areas—where access to trained art teachers or resources is limited—can now learn from experts across the country. Platforms like YouTube and Coursera even offer beginner courses on sketching, watercolour, digital art and more.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

While virtual art classes can be fun and accessible, they do come with their own challenges:

Not all students have access to tablets or proper internet
Lack of physical materials like canvas, brushes or paints can limit practice
It can be tough for teachers to track if students are practising regularly
Some techniques like clay modelling or printmaking are difficult to replicate online

To solve this, schools and state boards need to think about hybrid models. For instance, a student could learn the concept online but get materials delivered home or have occasional offline workshops.

Teachers Are Learning Too

This shift isn’t just new for students—many art teachers are also learning how to adapt. From creating their own video tutorials to learning digital tools like Krita, Adobe Fresco or Procreate, teachers are now picking up skills they never needed before.

In Punjab, for instance, some government schools have already started using smart classrooms to teach students how to draw digitally. One teacher said students who were earlier bored with chalk-and-board drawing now look forward to digital sketching sessions.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.