Virtual Field Trip Sites
Virtual field trips have the potential to augment student learning in the classroom by enhancing in-class activities, engaging students through technology integration, and bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world experiences. Some virtual field trips are known as synchronous virtual field trips and are real-time experiences. Some
examples of this type of field trip are video-conferences, the live viewing of
experiments, and live tours with a guide. The other type of virtual field trips are asynchronous and do not occur in real time. Some examples of these would include pre-recorded videos, viewing of web cam footage through a website, and virtual tours or podcasts. This section will include sites with both synchronous and asynchronous virtual field trips, and be sure to look over the videoconferencing tools section to bring synchronous virtual field trips to life.
One scenario where virtual field trips are useful in the elementary classroom are instances where students needs a visual supplementation to reinforce their understanding of academic vocabulary. The virtual field trips in this section are lush full of vibrant images that are engaging and unlikely to be forgotten by students who will associate their academic vocabulary with the experience of the virtual field trip. This section will include sites with both synchronous and asynchronous virtual field trips, and be sure to look over the videoconferencing tools section to bring synchronous virtual field trips to life.
One scenario where virtual field trips are useful in the elementary classroom are instances where students needs a visual supplementation to reinforce their understanding of academic vocabulary. The virtual field trips in this section are lush full of vibrant images that are engaging and unlikely to be forgotten by students who will associate their academic vocabulary with the experience of the virtual field trip. This section will include sites with both synchronous and asynchronous virtual field trips, and be sure to look over the videoconferencing tools section to bring synchronous virtual field trips to life.
National Geographic Education is a tremendous resource for incorporating technology into the classroom. They have hundreds of activities that can be organized by grade level, subject, and intended audience. Some of the resources include videos, virtual field trips, professional development opportunities, and interactive mapping tools. One of the resources found through National Geographic Education, which is the most useful in the context of the goals and objectives of this website, is the GeoLiteracy page that promotes the understanding of Earth's interconnections.
Scholastic is a household name for fostering learning for children, specifically in the subject of reading. In addition to reading resources like the Book Wizard for finding appropriate grading levels, there are resources for other subject areas like math and social studies. One of the interactive programs that are offered through National Geographic Education is Global Trek, a program that allows students to "travel" to a multitude of different countries around the world by providing information about the physical and cultural geography of each country while students complete an interactive travel guide.
Discovery Education is a K-12 resource that connects education to the digital world throughThis website will focus on the integration of the virtual experiences, virtual field trips, into the K-5 classroom. Some of the virtual experiences are aired on cable television, but the archives can be accessed on the web and played in the classroom on a projection screen. Discovery Education also provides access to enriching professional development opportunities, such as teacher webinars describing the most effective use of tablet apps in education, for teachers to attend from the comfort of their computer.
Although AreaVibes is a website intended for people to find a favorable place to live based on a variety of different factors and is not directly related to the field of education, AreaVibes has compiled an extensive list of useful virtual field trips in multiple subject areas. The lessons in this site will utilize several of the virtual field trips described in this list, but review the full list to apply these useful tools to your class
Google Lit Trips is a site that connects students to their language arts books by using Google Earth to explore where the setting of the book takes place. Ideally when using this site, the characters in the story will travel to multiple locations as the book progresses and the class will "follow" the characters on the virtual map. The site is organized by grade level: K-5, 6-8, 9-12, and higher education. Each grade level group has lists of available books, descriptions, and links for download. There is also a link to a Google Document where educators can request books to be added to the site. This site has an enormous amount of resources for teachers who are less experienced with using technology in the classroom, including a step-by-step guide on how to download the Lit Trips, navigating and enriching the trip, and tips on how to use the trips most effectively.
History.org provides extensive electronic field trips having to do with American History including the Bill of Rights, the three branches of government, 18th-century trades and the Continental Army, slavery in the United States, the Civil War, and the War of 1812. Because these trips are so extensive and include many resources, this type of virtual field trip is meant for educators who have the funds to pay for the trips ($50 a trip) and the commitment to an extensive unit. The trips include live internet events and television broadcasts (depending on the area, some public broadcasting stations air the program. To search your area, click here), live toll-free call ins and emails to historians, experts, and characters, comprehensive teacher guides, and more. Click here to view the 2013-2014 schedule of field trips, register, and learn more about the content of each trip.
Real World Math is a site that integrates math lessons into Google Earth to form problem solving activities and to answer the age-old student question "when are we ever going to need this?!". Real World Math provides access to dozens of interactive math lessons and support for teachers trying to incorporate meaningful math lessons into the classroom. This website combines the idea of using real world math skills with the engagement of visual stimuli to engage students of any age.