The Beginner's Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips

Greetings to classmates:

           ISTE article “The Beginner's Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips” by Jan Zanetis introduces readers to Virtual Field Trips (VFT). According to Zanetis, students can learn from experts all over the world via internet and/or videoconferencing equipment without having to leave their classrooms. VFTs allow schools with little or no field trips to engage in productive virtual online demonstrations without the expenses of traveling far. In the article, Zanetis wanted educators to engage in VFTs by first checking school systems and locate videoconferencing units. She even stated that there are grants and assistance programs to help pay for VFTs fees and/or equipments.

            For my future classrooms, I would like to explore VFTs and its components. I would use VFTs to limit the amount of spending on traditional traveling with my students. Also, VFTs eliminate the long periods of preparing for trips, sitting on bus rides, and less time waiting on students. When students are using VFTs, they have the opportunity to live chat with many experts on the focused topics. Whenever students get deep into discussions with experts, the walls of the classroom simply disappear. I will use the advantage of VFTs for my students to learn about their world in a much more innovative way than just YouTube or Wikipedia. Students are guaranteed to have answers from professionals on the field of their topic. They are less likely to encounter information that can be misleading through Wikipedia or YouTube. VFTs allow a more professional outlook on different spectrum of academic learning around the world.   

            ISTE’s article concludes with ways to get started on VFTs and answered the question of how the fees are compared to traditional field trips. Educators can get started with VFTs by looking at their own school and finding videoconferencing units. Some schools might already have equipments compatible with VFTs. When equipments are taken care of, educators will start registering for programs to access quality contents. One of the professional centers is the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration. VFTs fees are less expensive than traditional field trips. A great advantage is that some organization offer free programs such as NASA.

            Using NETS, the article fits into one of the standards by facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity as stated in standard 1.0: Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. The reason why this article fits into NETS standard is because of the virtual environment of students learning via the internet. Students are exposed to advanced technology that can help them gained more knowledge and become more social individuals by participating in VFTs discussions and tours.

Nhu Y Nguyen

APA Citation:

Zanetis, J. (2010). The beginner's guide to interactive virtual field trips. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), 20-23.