When I first heard about virtual field trips I was both fascinated and skeptical. How could a student actually gain full appreciation for something, or someplace that they haven't physically been to, or seen, perhaps even touched, in person? On the other hand, look at all the places they can 'go' that would normally be out of the question. The solar system, for example, or even New Zealand, the Arctic, or someplace closer to home.
After reading the article about virtual field trips www.educationworld.com I was enlightened a bit more on the subject. It went on to describe what a virtual field trip is and how easy they are to do. Both easy and fun for students and teachers, and just as easy to create. The possibilities of where to go, what to learn, are endless. There is a field trip out there on just about any topic you may be teaching!
This new classroom technology certainly has its pros. It is more cost effective, weather is not an issue, the students aren't rushed from one place to another while on the field trip, and no student is left behind because they didn't have a signed permission slip. Because the students we will be teaching will have grown up in an even more technological world than us, these types of 'field trips' will be right up their ally and may even be considered the 'norm' before too long.
Best of all the students may view them as fun and entertaining and may not even realize they are learning at the same time!
I think a con to this type of field trip, as mentioned before, is that the student misses out on the actual experience of being there. Obviously a bit of research should be executed on the part of the educator as to which of the trips would be best to take. Considerations such as grade level appropriateness and content should be kept in mind.
I can see the possibilities for this new technology are endless in and of itself. We are a computer age and improvements to things are constant. Perhaps one day a type of hologram field trip will be a new option?
3 comments:
I was a little skeptical about it first, just like you, but I have to admit it is a great new tool in teaching with endless possibilities. I still believe in the traditional field trips as well,because they provide tremendous amount of social experience. It is very important to plan an appropriate virtual field trip for the group and implement in the curriculum.
I completely agree with you how much of an experience it is to be there in person and experience a trip live. You give some great points on why virtual field trips are useful as well. I never really thought of them being the norm one day but your right, they probably will be.
When i first heard about a VFT, i was quite sceptical myself. But like you i realized that these trips are great and can help out a student emencely. Possiblily they will be a big part of our education in the future like you said. Great blogg
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