Learning Outside the Virtual Classroom: ODLS’ Cleveland Museum of Art Field Trip 

Education doesn’t just happen behind a computer screen. At Ohio Digital Learning School (ODLS), students have opportunities to connect with classmates, discover new places, and bring their lessons to life through in-person experiences. One recent example was a field trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art, where students spent the day learning, exploring and building relationships outside the virtual classroom. 

What Students Learned at the Cleveland Museum of Art 

During their tour, students saw exhibits featuring ancient civilizations, world-renowned artists, and artifacts from cultures around the globe. The experience helped students make real-world connections between these works and the subjects they study in class, including history, literature, mythology, and art. 

ODLS teachers from multiple subject areas were also present for the Cleveland Museum of Art visit. Thanks to their knowledge and guidance, students were able to get even more out of this interdisciplinary learning experience. 

The field trip was open to all ODLS students, not just those in and around Cleveland. Students from across the state and their families came to the city to be a part of this event. One student, Shaylynn M., traveled three hours to participate in the visit. 

Why Do Field Trips Matter to Online Students? 

Though online students complete much of their education in a digital environment, ODLS goes the extra mile to provide immersive, engaging experiences through in-person field trips that bring learning to life. 

One of the biggest advantages of field trips is their ability to make course content more tangible. During these outings, students participate in hands-on learning that reinforces what they’re studying in the classroom. Beyond field trips, ODLS also fosters in-person connections through graduation ceremonies and the Friends Near Me Map in the Learning Coach Community, giving students additional opportunities to build relationships and engage with their school community. 

At the same time, these experiences promote a meaningful sense of community among students, teachers, and peers. For online learners, field trips offer a chance to connect face-to-face with people they don’t often see in person. These experiences help strengthen friendships, build school spirit, and create lasting memories that extend beyond the virtual classroom. 

In-Person and Virtual Field Trips 

While in-person experiences are an excellent way to encourage hands-on learning, ODLS students can also participate in K12 Virtual Field Trips. These online events allow them to explore museums, national parks, wildlife centers, and other destinations from home while learning directly from experts in the field. 

A K12 Virtual Field Trip is an online learning event that lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. Each of these experiences gives participating students a chance to visit exciting places and dive into fascinating topics from their own homes. Thanks to K12’s large network of partner organizations, these online field trips are able to cover many different subjects. 

Both enrolled and prospective ODLS students can participate in Virtual Field Trips for free. Between these events and our in-person trips, learners have all sorts of ways to expand their educational experience.  

See What’s Coming Up Next at ODLS 

The Cleveland Museum of Art visit is just one example of how ODLS helps students flourish outside of completing everyday coursework. Our school always has a full slate of field trips, extracurricular activities and community events for high schoolers to look forward to. 

All of these outings are designed to help students explore new interests while reinforcing the education they get throughout the school year. For an at-a-glance look at upcoming learning opportunities at ODLS, take a look at our Events Calendar! 

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