Week 2: Virtual Field Trips
Article Link: http://www.ccsdedtech.com/cc/projects/fieldtrip.htm
Virtual Fields trips are something I had no experience with, or had even heard about, before this class. But as I read more article’s and information on what a virtual field trip was, I was able to understand and grasp the importance of this technology and why it is such a useful tool in the classroom.
Virtual Field Trips are a technological tool that are created by the teacher for the students in order that they may virtually visit a place that they may not be able to go otherwise. Students are not only entertaining themselves on an educational website, but are reinforcing themselves with information the teacher is instructing in the classroom. VFT can even be created before going on a regular field trip in order to prepare the students for what they will soon take part in. Another way to use virtual fieldtrips in the classroom is to use them after the actual fieldtrip has taken place. Such as a reinforcer the adventure that took place prior to the virtual field trip.
My personal opinion on using a virtual fieldtrip wep page is to use it on its own without taking a trip to the certain location. For example, if a teacher was educating on the rainforest for the next 2 weeks, he/she could create a virtual fieldtrip of the rainforests’ ecosystem, the animals and people who live in the rainforest, what types of rainforest’s there are, and include activities and quizzes for the children to take to help strengthen what they have been taught in the classroom.
Virtual fieldtrips can be made by using Microsoft, Mac programs, and Photoshop technology. Virtual fieldtrips can include audio, videos, weblinks, text, and graphics to help create the effect of visiting a certain location.
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4 comments:
I know! I am so jealous! I never knew anything about that. In fact we hardly ever went on actual going places field trips. I never got to take a virtual tour of the Great Barrier Reef with students in Mexico or compare tests scores with a student in Candada.
I feel like these are great experiences for students. as technolgy adavances so should students understanding of how to navigate it. Our country is becoming so dependent on these high tech gadgets and so few students are trained how to use it. To be successful in these World they have to know how to use it! Basicallly, virtual field trips allow stuents to use and learn how to better use technology.
Elizabeth Lind
Alicia,
I also didn't really know much about Virtual Field Trips before taking this course. I agree with the statements that you made. I think that Virtual Field Trips are a great resource for teachers to use to reinforce lessons that they are teaching their students. I liked the exmple you used of the rain forest unit going hand in hand with a Virtual Field Trip of it. I think that the technology these days is amazing. Back when I was young we hardly ever were even able to take field trips because of school budgets and other details that went into them. Now, teachers have an outstanding alternative by having free sources for Virtual Field Trips right at their fingertips. Good post!
Amanda Walker
To be honest, I didn't know what a virtual field trip was until I read your post. I think its great thats students have the opportunity to go on this Virtual Field Trips and experience something they normally wouldn't be able to. This would be a good idea for the poorer schools because they dont have the financial means to go on actual field trips. So, in my opinion this is the next best thing!
I think VFTs are a great way for students to learn in a technological environment. The students these days are so fortunate to grow up to learn how to use the web, VFTs, blogs, myspace, email,etc... There is so much to learn with computers. Even though I have grown up with computers all my life... I still find myself overwhelmed with all this technology. Students now have the opportunity to grasp difficult technological concepts that will enrich their lives.
It seems as if the world will only get more and more technologically advanced. The younger students are definitely at an advantage to have teachers who will now emphasize the importance of technology, or VFTs in the classroom. These students will be able to use this information for the rest of their lives.
Learning through their teachers, they will have the confidence to learn more and more as technology advances at the speed of light.
- Kristin Kotynski
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