Virtual Field TripsVirtual Field Trips

Presentation By:Presentation By:

Sarah PoseySarah Posey

Denise JordanDenise Jordan

Patti FergisonPatti Fergison

What Is a Virtual Field Trip What Is a Virtual Field Trip (VFT)?(VFT)?

Alternative strategy, using either the Alternative strategy, using either the internet or video conferencing, to internet or video conferencing, to involve students in the travel through involve students in the travel through space and time to explore different space and time to explore different parts of the world through the web parts of the world through the web and communicate with others. and communicate with others.

Why Use VFT?Why Use VFT?

More economical. Schools save on More economical. Schools save on transportation costs as well as the cost transportation costs as well as the cost of admission. of admission.

Teachers do not need to find Teachers do not need to find chaperones.chaperones.

Virtual field trips can be used to enrich Virtual field trips can be used to enrich the curriculum.the curriculum.

Students can explore as a group or as Students can explore as a group or as an individual (multi-level).an individual (multi-level).

Virtual field trips provide a diversity of Virtual field trips provide a diversity of experiences.experiences.

How Does It Work?How Does It Work?

InternetInternet

Video Conferencing Video Conferencing

Field Trips Via InternetField Trips Via Internet

Virtual field trips through the internet Virtual field trips through the internet provide the opportunity for teachers provide the opportunity for teachers and students to travel anywhere to and students to travel anywhere to any time period. In some cases, any time period. In some cases, viewers can interact with an expert viewers can interact with an expert on the subject. on the subject.

How to Use VFT Via InternetHow to Use VFT Via Internet

Create a field trip that include Create a field trip that include hotlinks related to the topic.hotlinks related to the topic.

Or, select field that exist on the Or, select field that exist on the internet.internet.

Many are free of charge.Many are free of charge. Evaluate the trip.Evaluate the trip. Advance through the trip as a class Advance through the trip as a class

or individually.or individually.

You Can Create a Field Trip!You Can Create a Field Trip!

Teachers can create a VFT that Teachers can create a VFT that enriches content that is being taught enriches content that is being taught in the classroom.in the classroom.

Students can vote on a location or Students can vote on a location or topic they would like to explore and topic they would like to explore and the teacher can create a trip that the teacher can create a trip that addresses that interest.addresses that interest.

Advantages of Using the Advantages of Using the InternetInternet

They are great They are great teaching tools.teaching tools.

They can be used in They can be used in school and at home.school and at home.

Together, parents and Together, parents and their children can take their children can take a field trip at home (or a field trip at home (or at the library).at the library).

Virtual field trips offer a Virtual field trips offer a great deal of flexibility great deal of flexibility for the teacher.for the teacher.

Virtual field trips are Virtual field trips are fun to create.fun to create.

Disadvantages Of VFT Via Disadvantages Of VFT Via InternetInternet

Virtual field trips via internet limit the Virtual field trips via internet limit the amount of hands on activities. All senses amount of hands on activities. All senses are not used. are not used.

Students are still confined to the Students are still confined to the classroom environment. They are not classroom environment. They are not gaining experience in the community.gaining experience in the community.

Experts are not always available answer Experts are not always available answer questions. questions.

Teacher observation if students are Teacher observation if students are taking the trips individually.taking the trips individually.

Disadvantages Of VFT Via Disadvantages Of VFT Via InternetInternet

Material on the site may not suit all Material on the site may not suit all reading levels.reading levels.

Teacher must evaluate the field trips Teacher must evaluate the field trips before using them.before using them.

Video ConferencingVideo Conferencing

Interaction between two or more parties that involves the use of video equipment

and two way communication systems.

Advantages Of Video Advantages Of Video ConferencingConferencing

Students can get a good visual of Students can get a good visual of topic.topic.

Live interaction with expert in the Live interaction with expert in the field. field.

Live pictures from distant locations.Live pictures from distant locations. There are often planned hands on There are often planned hands on

activities for students engage in.activities for students engage in.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Video conferencing requires technology Video conferencing requires technology that can be very costly! Requirements that can be very costly! Requirements include: video cameras; Microphones; include: video cameras; Microphones; Monitors (the bigger the better); and a Monitors (the bigger the better); and a service provider.service provider.

Teachers would need to learn how to use Teachers would need to learn how to use equipment properly. Schools would need equipment properly. Schools would need room to store the equipment.room to store the equipment.

Technology can fail. Teachers must have Technology can fail. Teachers must have an alternative plan in case of delays in the an alternative plan in case of delays in the service or difficulties with equipment.service or difficulties with equipment.

ProvidersProviders Several providers have emerged over the past Several providers have emerged over the past

decade.decade. Examples of Providers: Polycom, Two Way Examples of Providers: Polycom, Two Way

Interaction Connection in Education (TWICE), and Interaction Connection in Education (TWICE), and Southwest Net.Southwest Net.

The cost of a field trip through conferencing may The cost of a field trip through conferencing may be available without a charge, but average cost is be available without a charge, but average cost is $75-200.$75-200.

If the field trip takes place off your campus, a If the field trip takes place off your campus, a room charge may apply.room charge may apply.

Check with the ISD in your county. Equipment Check with the ISD in your county. Equipment and services may be available for a fee.and services may be available for a fee.

Tips for Planning a Video Tips for Planning a Video Conference Field TripConference Field Trip

Collaborate with other teachers.Collaborate with other teachers. Research and select a field trip.Research and select a field trip. Submit request for funding the field Submit request for funding the field

trip.trip. Contact the service provider. In Contact the service provider. In

Michigan you can contact your ISD.Michigan you can contact your ISD. Schedule the field trip.Schedule the field trip. Become familiar with the equipment.Become familiar with the equipment.

Tips for Planning a Video Tips for Planning a Video Conference Field TripConference Field Trip

Take into consideration the set up of the Take into consideration the set up of the room.room.

Prepare your class for the field trip.Prepare your class for the field trip. Connect with site at least 15 minutes prior Connect with site at least 15 minutes prior

to session.to session. Honor the Copyright laws!Honor the Copyright laws! Focus on you objectives.Focus on you objectives. Have Fun!Have Fun! Be sure to participate in post activities.Be sure to participate in post activities. Be sure to participate in a post evaluation.Be sure to participate in a post evaluation.

Best Practices For Using Best Practices For Using VFTsVFTs

The way the teacher uses VFTs The way the teacher uses VFTs and resources on the web shape and and resources on the web shape and influence students learning influence students learning experiences.experiences.

Best Practices for VFTsBest Practices for VFTs Purposeful Planning with the focus on student Purposeful Planning with the focus on student

needs and learning.needs and learning. Active student learning and learner centered Active student learning and learner centered

experiences.experiences. Cooperative learning activities where students Cooperative learning activities where students

can interact with teachers, experts, and each can interact with teachers, experts, and each other.other.

Improving student’s problem-solving skills and Improving student’s problem-solving skills and critical thinking.critical thinking.

Teachers and experts involved scaffold the Teachers and experts involved scaffold the learning experiences.learning experiences.

Differentiate instruction and activities.Differentiate instruction and activities.

Differentiating Field Trip Differentiating Field Trip ActivitiesActivities

Learner needsLearner needs GenderGender Cultural diversityCultural diversity LanguageLanguage Special education needsSpecial education needs In order provide many opportunities for In order provide many opportunities for

student success, you must pay attention student success, you must pay attention to the learning styles, modalities, and to the learning styles, modalities, and multiple intelligences in your classroom.multiple intelligences in your classroom.

Using VFTs to Meet National Using VFTs to Meet National and State Standardsand State Standards

National Educational Technology National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)Standards (NETS)

NETS 2.3 Positive attitudesNETS 2.3 Positive attitudes

NETS 3.1 Technology as a toolNETS 3.1 Technology as a tool

NETS 1.2 ProficiencyNETS 1.2 Proficiency

NETS 5.1 Technology research toolsNETS 5.1 Technology research tools

Michigan Curriculum Michigan Curriculum FrameworkFramework

Many county intermediate school Many county intermediate school districts have a list of virtual field districts have a list of virtual field trips available for viewing. Some trips available for viewing. Some sites have the trips categorized by sites have the trips categorized by area with in the Michigan Curriculum area with in the Michigan Curriculum Framework.Framework.

Example: Example: Berrien County ISDBerrien County ISD

Time for a field trip!Time for a field trip!

We are off to watch We are off to watch the the IditarodIditarod..

Questions?Questions?

Concerns?Concerns?

Comments?Comments?

ResourceResource

Klemm, B.E. & Tuthill, G. (2003). Virtual Klemm, B.E. & Tuthill, G. (2003). Virtual field trips: Best practices. field trips: Best practices. International International Journal of Instructional Media, 30(2), Journal of Instructional Media, 30(2), 177-177-193.193.

Pachnowski, L.M. (2002). Virtual field trips Pachnowski, L.M. (2002). Virtual field trips through video conferencing. through video conferencing. Learning and Learning and Leading with Technology, 29(6), Leading with Technology, 29(6), 10-13.10-13.

Foley, K. (2003). A virtual field trip in real Foley, K. (2003). A virtual field trip in real technology standards. technology standards. Multimedia Schools, Multimedia Schools, 10(1), 10(1), 38-40.38-40.