Journal 1 - NETS-T 3,4,5

Join ISTE, read a journal article from Learning & Leading with Technology, reflect upon the article, and use proper APA citation using Citation Machine


Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginner's guide to interactive virtual field trips. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org /AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/Mem bersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D

The Beginner’s Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips

This article is about field trips that are fully digital, requiring little to no change in location in order to experience another place and in some cases a different time. The author Jan Zanetis addresses and teaches educators (and potential educators) about the large number and types of VFTs, the applications of differing VFTs, the massive benefits they can produce, and how to get VFTs into a classroom. This is all presented in the context of better our current way, that of physical field trips.

Two current formats of VFTs are asynchronous and interactive. Asynchronous VFTs, as the name implies, are not in line with current time or real-time. They are mostly websites that are designed toward one topic and usually contain streaming videos, virtual tours of locations, or sometimes podcasts which have a personal host to guide the user through a series of pictures that relate to the location. An advantage to this format is simplicity. No highly specialized equipment needed; just a fairly current computer (which most classrooms have) and internet access. Another advantage is cost effectiveness. Granted this is true of the interactive VFT as well but it is especially true of the asynchronous format (this will be explained in the next paragraph).

Interactive VFTs are in a format which is in real-time and student can learn in an informal way from educators in locations anywhere there is a person with a computer. It requires some skill and special equipment to accomplish it in a classroom but it is, more often than not, still more cost effective than a physical trip with 30 of your students. Many school districts (30%) already have the capacity and equipment to provide VFTs; it just takes some initiative from the teacher to make it happen. If your school is not one that is equipped for this, the article even offers ways to apply for grants.

What happens if I get hired in a district without computers in every room?

There are many grants out there for which an educator can apply to bring technology such as this into the classroom. If that were to fail, one could bring his or her private computer to school and use it for asynchronous VFTs.

What is another way to garner more student interest in VFTs?

A teacher could have students research and choose democratically as a class in which VFTs to participate. However, the article and its links show a great many, highly captivating VFTs that will capture a great number of students’ attention.