Virtual Field Trips Presentation By: Sarah Posey Denise Jordan Patti Fergison

What Is a Virtual Field Trip (VFT)? Alternative strategy, using either the internet or video conferencing, to involve students in the travel through space and time to explore different parts of the world through the web and communicate with others. Alternative strategy, using either the internet or video conferencing, to involve students in the travel through space and time to explore different parts of the world through the web and communicate with others.

Why Use VFT? More economical. Schools save on transportation costs as well as the cost of admission. More economical. Schools save on transportation costs as well as the cost of admission. Teachers do not need to find chaperones. Teachers do not need to find chaperones. Virtual field trips can be used to enrich the curriculum. Virtual field trips can be used to enrich the curriculum. Students can explore as a group or as an individual (multi-level). Students can explore as a group or as an individual (multi-level). Virtual field trips provide a diversity of experiences. Virtual field trips provide a diversity of experiences.

How Does It Work? Internet Video Conferencing

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

How to Use VFT Via Internet Create a field trip that include hotlinks related to the topic. Create a field trip that include hotlinks related to the topic. Or, select field that exist on the internet. Or, select field that exist on the internet. Many are free of charge. Many are free of charge. Evaluate the trip. Evaluate the trip. Advance through the trip as a class or individually. Advance through the trip as a class or individually.

You Can Create a Field Trip! Teachers can create a VFT that enriches content that is being taught in the classroom. Teachers can create a VFT that enriches content that is being taught in the classroom. Students can vote on a location or topic they would like to explore and the teacher can create a trip that addresses that interest. Students can vote on a location or topic they would like to explore and the teacher can create a trip that addresses that interest.

Advantages of Using the Internet They are great teaching tools. They are great teaching tools. They can be used in school and at home. They can be used in school and at home. Together, parents and their children can take a field trip at home (or at the library). Together, parents and their children can take a field trip at home (or at the library). Virtual field trips offer a great deal of flexibility for the teacher. Virtual field trips offer a great deal of flexibility for the teacher. Virtual field trips are fun to create. Virtual field trips are fun to create.

Disadvantages Of VFT Via Internet  Virtual field trips via internet limit the amount of hands on activities. All senses are not used.  Students are still confined to the classroom environment. They are not gaining experience in the community.  Experts are not always available answer questions.  Teacher observation if students are taking the trips individually.

Disadvantages Of VFT Via Internet  Material on the site may not suit all reading levels.  Teacher must evaluate the field trips before using them.

Video Conferencing Interaction between two or more parties that involves the use of video equipment and two way communication systems.

Advantages Of Video Conferencing Students can get a good visual of topic. Students can get a good visual of topic. Live interaction with expert in the field. Live interaction with expert in the field. Live pictures from distant locations. Live pictures from distant locations. There are often planned hands on activities for students engage in. There are often planned hands on activities for students engage in.

Disadvantages Video conferencing requires technology that can be very costly! Requirements include: video cameras; Microphones; Monitors (the bigger the better); and a service provider. Video conferencing requires technology that can be very costly! Requirements include: video cameras; Microphones; Monitors (the bigger the better); and a service provider. Teachers would need to learn how to use equipment properly. Schools would need room to store the equipment. Teachers would need to learn how to use equipment properly. Schools would need room to store the equipment. Technology can fail. Teachers must have an alternative plan in case of delays in the service or difficulties with equipment. Technology can fail. Teachers must have an alternative plan in case of delays in the service or difficulties with equipment.

Providers Several providers have emerged over the past decade. Several providers have emerged over the past decade. Examples of Providers: Polycom, Two Way Interaction Connection in Education (TWICE), and Southwest Net. Examples of Providers: Polycom, Two Way Interaction Connection in Education (TWICE), and Southwest Net. The cost of a field trip through conferencing may be available without a charge, but average cost is $ The cost of a field trip through conferencing may be available without a charge, but average cost is $ If the field trip takes place off your campus, a room charge may apply. If the field trip takes place off your campus, a room charge may apply. Check with the ISD in your county. Equipment and services may be available for a fee. Check with the ISD in your county. Equipment and services may be available for a fee.

Tips for Planning a Video Conference Field Trip  Collaborate with other teachers.  Research and select a field trip.  Submit request for funding the field trip.  Contact the service provider. In Michigan you can contact your ISD.  Schedule the field trip.  Become familiar with the equipment.

Tips for Planning a Video Conference Field Trip  Take into consideration the set up of the room.  Prepare your class for the field trip.  Connect with site at least 15 minutes prior to session.  Honor the Copyright laws!  Focus on you objectives.  Have Fun!  Be sure to participate in post activities.  Be sure to participate in a post evaluation.

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

Best Practices for VFTs  Purposeful Planning with the focus on student needs and learning.  Active student learning and learner centered experiences.  Cooperative learning activities where students can interact with teachers, experts, and each other.  Improving student’s problem-solving skills and critical thinking.  Teachers and experts involved scaffold the learning experiences.  Differentiate instruction and activities.

Differentiating Field Trip Activities Learner needs Learner needs Gender Gender Cultural diversity Cultural diversity Language Language Special education needs Special education needs In order provide many opportunities for student success, you must pay attention to the learning styles, modalities, and multiple intelligences in your classroom. In order provide many opportunities for student success, you must pay attention to the learning styles, modalities, and multiple intelligences in your classroom.

Using VFTs to Meet National and State Standards National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) NETS 2.3 Positive attitudes NETS 3.1 Technology as a tool NETS 1.2 Proficiency NETS 5.1 Technology research tools

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

Time for a field trip! We are off to watch the Iditarod. Iditarod

Questions? Questions? Concerns? Concerns? Comments? Comments?

Resource Klemm, B.E. & Tuthill, G. (2003). Virtual field trips: Best practices. International Journal of Instructional Media, 30(2), Pachnowski, L.M. (2002). Virtual field trips through video conferencing. Learning and Leading with Technology, 29(6), Foley, K. (2003). A virtual field trip in real technology standards. Multimedia Schools, 10(1),