Unfortunately, money and time constraints have lowered the ability of schools to take field trips. And while real life experiences are more effective, children can still benefit from trips taken at their computer.
What are Virtual Field Trips?
Simply put, virtual field trips are the same as "real" trips except they are done online. In addition to places such as museums, cities, and countries, virtual trips allow students to visit places they would never have thought possible. With access to the Internet, these trips are now becoming popular in schools.
Benefits of Taking Field Trips Online
Like their counterparts, virtual field trips expose students to people and places they normally would not be exposed to. Students also have the opportunity to connect in real time with real people during video-conferencing.
Another benefit is that these trips allow students a chance to "visit" the location as many times as they want to have questions answered or just out of curiosity. Finally, students get an opportunity to learn more about technology and the Internet.
Planning is Key to a Successful Trip
Just as it takes planning for a regular field trip, so it is with virtual field trips. There are some key points to consider in putting together these excursions.
- Select a trip that students would enjoy or have a connection to, either in their hobbies or their studies.
- Provide kids with some background information or a preparatory lesson before the trip.
- Preview the site ahead of time so the content has been checked and the proper systems are running on the computer.
- Check links on the tour. There's nothing worse than starting a trip and having some of the links not work. A good rule of thumb is to check them up to three clicks away.
- Consider some kind of activity for kids as they take the tour. Provide a treasure hunt or have them gather information and pictures for a scrapbook. Another idea is to have them make a postcard about their trip.
- Whatever happens, don't allow children to wander online without supervision.
Suggestions for a Memorable Virtual Trip
There are many different kinds of virtual field trips. Two suggestions include trips to the National Zoo and to the Institute for Wildlife Studies.
The National Zoo in Washington D.C. has live animal cams set up around its park. Home to about 2,000 animals of about 400 different species, click on any of the animal cams and see what they are doing at that time. Sometimes the animals are not in view, so patience is required. Along with the live views, the website also includes information about the animals being viewed.
The Institute for Wildlife Studies allows students a chance to get a bird's eye view of several bald eagles' nests in California. Sit at the computer and get a live look at the majestic bird. Viewing may be limited to an eagle sitting on a nest, but a student could get lucky and see little eaglets as well.
Virtual field trips are gaining in popularity among schools. Not only do they provide students with an opportunity to visit places they wouldn't get to otherwise, they are free and advantageous to the school. A search of the Internet for virtual field trips will reveal hundreds of choices. The trips can be geared toward nearly any subject in school or for any hobby. Once a few trips are planned out carefully, all that's left is to sit back and enjoy the trip.
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