Blogs

By WISE National

Photo credit: Kraphix / shutterstock.com

The pandemic has changed our daily lives and the way we interact with the people and things around us, and adjusting out behaviors and engaging in social distancing over the last couple of months have reminded us how vital connection to others truly is, especially during challenging times. Our phones and other devices have proven more essential than ever to staying in touch and being social. People have been using video conference services like Zoom, Google Hangouts and FaceTime for group happy hours, church services, book clubs, exercise classes and more. If you're looking for some inspiration for your next virtual activity with friends and family, check out our list and let us know how you've been staying connected in the comment field below (log in to comment). 

1. Sing it out: Since subtle delays in audio or video can make it hard to sing or play music together via conference services, we recommend recording individual karaoke sessions through the Yokee app and then exchanging performances with friends and family. 

2. Host a viewing party: Get a group together to watch movies, shows and other content through apps like Netflix Party, Rave and Airtime, which allow synchronized viewing along with chatting so you can talk and interact as you watch. 

3. Send a hello: Marco Polo is a messaging app similar to Snapchat that allows people to send video messages that recipients can watch at whatever time works best for them. 

4. Experience culture and fine art: Some of the most prestigious museums in the world, including the Getty in Los Angeles, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and The British Museum in London, are offering online exhibits and virtual tours via their websites or Google Arts & Culture. 

5. Get to know you colleagues better: Donut is a slack extension that randomly pairs group members with new partners for chats at a frequency you can customize. 

6. Go beyond small talk: The Big Talk Question Card Game helps facilitate in-depth conversations with questions designed to prompt participants to reflect on their experiences and goals and, hopefully, share something more meaningful about themselves. 

7. Put your friends and family to the test: Kahoot! is known as a tool teachers use to engage their students with quizzes, but you can create and host your own free quiz and share it with friends and family to see who knows you best.