Field trips can be the highlight of the learning experience. They are stimulating, engaging, and hands on. Unfortunately, field trips are rapidly becoming a rarity in our education system. With ever increasing budget cuts and the increasing costs of field trips, schools are providing fewer field trips to their students every year. As a result, it has become more difficult for teachers to bring real world experiences to their students.
However, as Zanetis explains in her article (2010), Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) offer teachers the ability to take their students to far off places that were beyond the limits of the local field trip and can even put students in the hands of experts world wide. She explains that there are two forms of virtual field trips, the Asynchronous VFTs, which most of us are probably more familiar with, and Interactive VFTs. Asynchronous VFTs are not in real-time and are comprised of websites with text, audio, and video about a particular subject. However, the real power of VFTs is in the Interactive VFT.
Interactive VFTs are synchronous real-time experiences where students are able to connect to a real location outside their classroom and talk to experts on the subject. The students are able to interact with these experts and ask questions through high-powered video conferencing technology. It connects the students with the world in ways even real field trips cannot. Now, students are not limited by how far they can travel in a school day, with VFTs they can travel the globe.
Imagine students asking a real NASA engineer about the Cassini probe or about future missions to Mars. Or imagine students learning about George Washington from an expert at his Mount Vernon Estate. These are the realities of the Interactive VFTs. Not only do they expand on the learning experience of the subject matter, they are also meeting the NETs standards of Communication and Collaboration and Digital Citizenship to name a few.
As wonderful as Interactive VFTs sound, there are some drawbacks. The require internet connections with h.323 videoconferencing technology. That means you cannot just hook up a webcam and go. Only about 30% of school districts nationwide have this technology, and amazingly, those that do, do not know they can use it for Interactive VFTs. This equipment can be very expensive and many districts consider it too cost prohibitive to purchase it. However, some manufacturers offer programs to assist schools in applying for grants to purchase it.
As so much of our everyday lives moves towards the increased use of technology, I feel this is a wonderful opportunity to expose our students to just what technology has to offer. Through Interactive VFTs, our students are able to connect to experts around the globe, visit places that are beyond the reach of a regular field trip, and learn about the wonders of technology. In my opinion, it is an investment worth taking in our children’s future.
Reference:
Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginners Guide to Interactive Field Trips. Learning and Leading with Technology, 27, 20-23.
Virtual Field Trips are an interesting idea. It's sad that school districts are having to cut down on actual field trips, apparently largely in part to lack of finances. Having grown up on the east coast, some of the coolest elementary experiences I had were visiting Gettysburg and Jamestown, all in person. I haven't experienced an Interactive VFT, but it would sound cool to be able to basically travel to Egypt to see the pyramids or Washington D.C. to see one of the many museums, all from a classroom. And then to have the trip guided by someone at the location is even cooler. It appears money is one of the big factors holding school districts back from purchasing the expensive video conferencing equipment. However, with the current financial state our school districts are in right now, I would much rather have districts putting money into other areas of education such as hiring more teachers or keeping pull out classes like PE, art, music, and computers.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that field trips can be the highlight of a students learning experience. Budget cuts have caused schools to cut back in certain departments and with transportation being cut in some districts, there are fewer field trips. I believe that virtual field trips are a good idea because it gives students a chance to see places that they may never physically see in his or her lifetime. I like how students are able to interact with experts and ask questions through technology.
ReplyDeleteVirtual field trips are a good idea if a school has the right technology for it, but it seems that the budget comes to mind once again. Schools cutting back may not be able to afford the technology needed for the virtual field trip.
I agree with you Michele that this would be a good investment because it can give students the opportunity to virtually see places on the opposite side of the world through technology. The investment would be beneficial, but if that means other areas in the schools would be cut because of this, then I would believe that the cost for virtual field trips can be less of a priority.