Virtual Field Trips

About Virtual Field Trips

A Virtual Field Trip is a partnership between two or more classes. One class acts as the local host for the field trip and the other classis the remote partner for the field trip. The host class becomes the eyes, ears, noses, mouths and hands for the remote class, gathering data, answering questions and reporting their findings to the remote class using electronic mail. The host class may be using a local point of interest in close proximity to the school or a site being visited during a school excursion or camp.

Optional extras
If available, digital photographs, video clips or captured sound can either be attached to email or published on web pages to add to the exchanges between the students.

Students may use live events during a Virtual Field Trip by using Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Microsoft NetMeeting or ICQ chat.

Other variations on Virtual Field Trips and Tours
Another way some people make Virtual Field Trip or Tour is to create a web site that describes a local place. Other classes can then use this web site to "look up" information about the site. There is little or no communication between the students.
 

Subject Areas

• English
• Study of Society and Environment (History, Geography, Environmental Studies)
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Languages other than English (Modern Foreign Languages)
• Science

Age Level

• 5 years to 18 years

Student Outcomes

Through participation in a Book Rap project students develop the following understandings, engage in experiences and identify issues, behaviours and concerns related to social and ethical issues. Click here

Project Resources

• Getting started  with Virtual Tours
  • CyberTours
  • E-mail conversations
  • Guests online
  • Cultural exchanges
  • Join a project
  • Action-Research tours
  • Collaborative Problem Solving Projects
• Ideas on how to participate in a Virtual Field Trip
• Ideas on how to host a Virtual Field Trip
• Possible partners
• Past trips
• Equipment suggestions

Contacts

Ron Dorn

RONALD.DORN@asu.edu
Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, USA.

Ron is the  co-coordinator of the Arizona Geographic Alliance, a partnership between teachers, the National Geographic Society, and my university. His job is to help teachers in their hard work to make geographic education exciting and outstanding.

Reading

Carr, J. Project Pillars. Foundations for Success in Online Curriculum Projects. URL http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/pillars/ Site accessed 17th May 2001

How to participate

Join the e-mail list for teachers.

Send a message to the Teachers email list

(vft-teachers@rite.ed.qut.edu.au )

Virtual Field Trip Calendar
The Virtual Field Trip Calendar is regularly updated to advertise current and upcoming Trips. It leads to pages with details about each issue that will be discussed.


How to participate in a Virtual Field Trip. Find out what to do as the remote partner on a Virtual Field Trip.


How to host a Virtual Field Trip.
Learn how to host a Virtual Field Trip.


Teachers E-mail List Archive
Read what has been happening with other teachers using Youth Forum in the past archive of the vft-teachers list.

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