Journal #7: The Beginner's Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips - NETS 2 & 5

Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginner's guide to interactive virtual field trips. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100304#pg1

Interactive Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are field trips held over the Internet and often utilize videoconferencing equipment.  Interactive VFTs are experienced in "real-time", which means students can interact with formal educators in remote locations such as museums, historic sites, science labs and even festivals or artistic events.

Interactive VFTs require use of h.323 videoconferencing technology, which requires a special piece of equipment called a codec.  Many teachers are not aware that the h.323 technology may be available in their school district, so it may be a good idea to check.  A simple videoconferencing system made up of a computer and webcam can be used for small groups of students, in lieu of the h.323 technology.
There are hundreds of museums, science centers and historical sites that offer VFTs.  One example of the types of lessons available is the "Math: Batter Up" program presented by The National Baseball Hall of Fame.  This program encompasses a lesson geared for grades four through 12 and teaches students how to compute batting averages and statistics for famous athletes.

According to the article, there are several benefits for students utilizing interactive VFTs.  The main benefit is that students find interactive VFTs "novel and engaging" and do not have a difficult time adjusting to interacting with an instructor on-screen.  The second benefit is that students can see the "wonders of the world" in relation to what they are studying without leaving the classroom.   Utilizing VFTs, teachers would be able to take students to the Great Barrier Reef when studying the ocean or the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology when studying the Mesozoic period.  Imagine the possibilities!

In many cases there is a fee for interactive VFTs, but some are offered for free.  For resources outlining VFTs, the following websites can be referenced:

http://www.efieldtrips.org/
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/virtual.php
http://www.gaillovely.com/VirtualFieldTrips.htm

Does an educator need expensive equipment to take children on a virtual field trip?

You do not have to have expensive equipment for virtual field trips.  There are virtual field trips that are called "asynchronous" VFTs (different than interactive VFTs), which means that they are webpages with video tours, podcasts or interactive programs.  Students would not interact with a live person, but would still get the benefit of seeing something in a different part of the country or world, or experiencing something online that they could not do in the classroom.  Asynchronous VFTs could be experienced right on the computer screen or a larger screen in the classroom if available.  Gail Lovely's link shown above gives a variety of websites for asynchronous VFTs.

Will VFT's be an important resource in future classrooms?

Yes-especially in California, where education funding is an issue.  I can definitely see the benefit of being able to expand on curriculum using VFTs.  Many of the sites that offer VFTs work national standards into the lesson plans and include prep work and follow up for the students.  This seems like a valuable resource for teachers to vary the way in which they teach and expand on subjects.