Virtual Field Trips
As I’ve noticed in the past few years field trips are becoming few and far between as a part of the education of elementary school students. When I began teaching ten years ago we went on six trips a year. We also had two in-house trips where someone came to us. These days it seems elementary students in my schools only go on one or two trips per year.
This begs the question of teachers: How are we able to still give students the experience for learning outside the classroom without leaving the classroom or school building? Answer: Technology!
During the past month I came across two items that spoke to the idea of Virtual Field Trips. It’s no wonder that with the cost of buses, fuel, admission prices going up these online tools are becoming more utilized.
Teachers who are interested in learning more about Virtual Field Trips and all that they can offer you in your classroom check out the following article from ISTE Learning and Leading by Kimberly Ketterer.
Parents! Keep in mind that Virtual Field Trips are not only for Teachers to use. They are a great way for you to incorporate them into your child’s time home from school or their summer vacation. If you are like me, you probably don’t have the extra money to fly to Chicago just to check out the Field Museum, but if you have access to a computer with an internet connection you can experience it online! Most libraries have computers that are available for just such an experience if you don’t have reliable internet at home. Remember to take headphones (walkman headphones are fine) with you though….some virtual trips have great sound files to listen or movies to watch.
Mrs. Smoke has put together a great list of some links to the best Virtual Field Trips for kids. What’s even better is that she has added grade level ranges to most of her suggestions. Check them out!
Don’t forget these other great interactive websites that also serve as great Virtual Trips to local points of interest!
