Take A Virtual Trip!

2023-06-05

Topic for the Week: Virtual Experiences There's nothing quite like a field trip: That day when permission slips grant students golden tickets to an experience outside the classroom. Although virtual field trips don't physically bring kids to new locations, they make use of the web and video to amplify online learning in an experiential way. Virtual field trips can be informative and inspiring. They are inclusive because they don’t depend on funding from PTO (that may or may not be there), grant applications, etc. All the ones we are going to talk about today are FREE.

Topic for the Week: Virtual Experiences

There's nothing quite like a field trip: That day when permission slips grant students golden tickets to an experience outside the classroom.

Although virtual field trips don't physically bring kids to new locations, they make use of the web and video to amplify online learning in an experiential way. Virtual field trips can be informative and inspiring. They are inclusive because they don’t depend on funding from PTO (that may or may not be there), grant applications, etc. All the ones we are going to talk about today are FREE.

So where do you start? You might already have a topic in mind, which will narrow your choices. However, you'll also want to consider what type of virtual field trips to try.

Livestreaming - means students watch a live feed from a camera in another location.

Interactive exploration offers students a multimedia experience that's usually more hands-on and open-ended. This might look like a 3d online tour.

Video visits take kids to a location (by video) where a host or narrator provides information.

Scheduled and guided virtual field trips feature a live guide or museum docent -- often on-site -- who takes students through the experience virtually.

The Run Down:

(02:04) Danelle's big ISTE announcement
(04:40) This weeks topic: Virtual Trips
(05:59) Types of Virtual Experiences
(7:49) Advice for picking a Virtual Trip for your class
(10:25) Google Arts & Culture

All the Links:

Livestreaming or Live Cams -

Live Cameras | San Diego Zoo
Webcams | Smithsonian's National Zoo

Virtual Field Trips/Tours -

National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tours
American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, United States
Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants
- Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExploringByTheSeat
Take a Virtual Visit to a National Park
Educator Resources - Teachers (U.S. National Park Service)
Virtual Field Trips - The Nature Conservancy
Programs | National Air and Space Museum
Field Trip Opportunities | NASA
HistoryView

Google Offerings: