Providing quality hands-on exercises in a GIS course is essential in enhancing problem-solving skills and student-led learning activities. However, the strategies and instructional methods of managing hands-on exercises, which have been used in traditional face-to-face classes, will require new interpretations in a virtual learning environment and may need modifications to maximize the advantages of virtual technology and its use. Thus, in this brief review, I will mainly address what I learned while teaching a virtual GIS lab course. I will also make recommendations associated with implementing hands-on exercises in a virtual environment.