Journal # 7 - The Beginner’s Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips
Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginner's guide to interactive virtual field trips. ISTE, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
This article presents the idea of Virtual Field Trips (VFTs), which are field trips that are done virtually over the Internet, or videoconferencing. They can involve touring a historic site, witnessing scientific experiments or processes at museums or organizations, watching live demonstrations in the field, attending folk festivals, and much more.
Traditional field trips have become less common today because travel costs have risen over the past few years, causing Virtual Field Trips to become more popular. The VTRs allow students and teachers to visit other places they normally wouldn’t be able to visit.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Virtual Field Trips?
The Virtual Field Trips offer students a variety of different ways to learn, and are fun for students. The Virtual Field trips don’t require pricey fairs and ticket prices. Also, an advantage to the Virtual Field Trips is that teachers and staff members don’t have to worry about students’ safety and liability. The disadvantages of the Virtual Field Trips include computer, software, and camera costs. Many schools cannot afford to provide computers students.
Would you use Virtual Field Trips in your classroom?
I would really enjoy using Virtual Field Trips in my classrooms for many reasons. If I were a student, I would enjoy the VFTs because they are different from the normal activities done in classrooms. Rather than doing busy work, and learning from textbooks, students can use the Virtual Field create a constructive learning environment.
No comments:
Post a Comment