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Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginners guide to interactive virtual field trips . L& L, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
The article suggests another oppertunity for students to take field trips without leaving the classroom. The author reveals the issue that travelling costs have increased, therefore many students are deprived of having field trip experienceds. She proposes the idea that through technology, students are able to enjoy the benefits of a field trip right from their classroom. Through the Internet and/or videoconferencing equipment, so that students can learn directly from experts in far-flung places. They can visit historical sites or video chat with scientists. With the help of asynchronous VFTs, "webpages devoted to a topic, a streaming video tour of a particular location, and a podcast of a host guiding you through a collection of photos" children can explore places and edcational topics with the click of their hand.
Interactive VFTs are another for of virtual field trips which are, "synchronous, real-time experiences in which students in one location learn from informal educators in another location, such as a museum, historic castle, or organization such as NASA". This way would seem more exotic and like a true firld trip. Schools simply need a high functioning video confrencing equipment. The article gives a great example for schools who think this option is out of their budget, "300 museums, science centers, historical sites, and similar organizations that offer interactive VFTs to schools. Onsite credentialed experts usually present live, standalone, interactive lessons focusing on a curricular topic related to the organization"
What benefits would this technological device give me as a teacher within my classroom?
This educational tool is yet another form of teaching. It engages students in a way that is less threatening than lecture notes and gives students the sense of release from teh classroom. With yougner kids creating an environment within the classroom that represents the place where we will investigate such as when studying coral reefs, visit the Great Barrier Reef through the internet, but also have students dress in beach wear and set the classroom up like it was on a tropical island. This gives kids a fun way to engage.
What can I do to make sure this tool is available in the school I will be teaching at?
It is my job as a teacher to see if this tool is accessible and if not, ask for ways that it could be. According to the article, the district cordinator is usually able to help in finding a video confrencing unit. Another suggestion would be to contact some videoconferencing equipment vendors and ask if they can do interactive VFT demos for your school. There are always grants and assistance programs offered. Some videoconferencing equipment companies such as Polycom and Tandberg, for instance, match schools to potential funding sources and provide grant-writing assistance.
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Here's another site for virtual field trips.
ReplyDeletesfbee@sfsu.edu
Dear Ms. LeBuhn
I read about the Great Sunflower Project in a recent issue of Sunset Magazine.
I am also a children’s author and video maker currently producing a new series for children titled MEET ME AT THE CORNER. This series of virtual field trips is being distributed over the Internet as video pod casts on our web site www.meetmeatthecorner.org
Directed at America’s school children, each show explores the world and its wonders from a child’s point of view. During each video pod cast a child host serves as tour guide, leading the viewer to historic and cultural sites. Each show includes a suggested reading list and a Learning Corner of follow-up activities for school children ages eight to twelve.
To date we have filmed over eighty video podcasts featuring episodes about the Empire State Building, the Forbes Museum The Swedish House Puppet Theater, New York City Audubon, Bird Watching in Central Park, Chess in the City and the Blessing of the Bikes at St. John's Cathedral of the Divine. Other episodes featured the New York Humane Society, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, the Staten Island Zoo, and interviewed children's authors, illustrators, puppeteers and a beekeeper who lives in New York.
Our videos are posted on our website, Currki (http://www.curriki.org) and TeacherTube (http://www.teachertube.com) Next Vista Learning
( http://www.nextvista.org) and Watch Know (http://watchknow.org/)
Currki, an open source website for educational materials k-12 has over 80,000 members who are educators ad teachers. TeacherTube is a video sharing website similar to YouTube. It is designed to allow those in the educational industry, particularly teachers, to share educational resources. To date TeacherTube has 380,000+ members. Next Vista is an online library of free videos for learners everywhere. Rushton Hurley, Director of Next Vista, believes learning is stronger with teachers and students from all over the world contributing content. They have a membership of 6,000 contributors. WatchKnow was founded by Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia. Watch Know is a database for "instant tutoring". It hosts multiple video explanations of the same topics, to accommodate many different learning styles.
I would like to interview you about the Great Sunflower Project. I know children would love to know more about your project so that they can participate.
The interview with our child host will take less than an hour to create our four-minute video. I will send you the script and questions in advance for your review. When the show I posted, I would be happy to link back to your site as one of the fun websites for kids.
Would you or one of your organization be interested in talking to kids about The Great Sunflower Project.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Donna Guthrie
www.donnaguthrie.com
www.meetmeatthecorner.org
Email: DonnaG6113@aol.com,
Phone: 858-775-9607
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