How to choose a Virtual Field Trip
So you’ve decided you’d like to try using a pre-developed VFT in your classroom, but where do you start? Choosing an appropriate VFT is important for its success.
Field trips, virtual or not, are important, especially for science education. In addition to providing students with real-world, local situations, field trips have actually been shown to provide a direct correlation to student engagement. Field trips have been shown to augment positive attitudes towards science and environmental concepts (Klemm, & Tuthill, 2003).
Like traditional field trips, VFTs are intended to provide students with hands on curricular experiences. The VFT selected should therefore be situated logically between lessons and relate directly to what students are learning. Student learning should be enhanced through the interaction with a VFT. It is important then to ensure that students are interested in what they are learning. If it is possible for your unit, consider asking students what they would like the virtual field trip to focus on (Kirchen, 2011).
Steps for selecting a VFT:
Developed using (Klemm, & Tuthill, 2003 and Kirchen, 2011).
Field trips, virtual or not, are important, especially for science education. In addition to providing students with real-world, local situations, field trips have actually been shown to provide a direct correlation to student engagement. Field trips have been shown to augment positive attitudes towards science and environmental concepts (Klemm, & Tuthill, 2003).
Like traditional field trips, VFTs are intended to provide students with hands on curricular experiences. The VFT selected should therefore be situated logically between lessons and relate directly to what students are learning. Student learning should be enhanced through the interaction with a VFT. It is important then to ensure that students are interested in what they are learning. If it is possible for your unit, consider asking students what they would like the virtual field trip to focus on (Kirchen, 2011).
Steps for selecting a VFT:
- Plan for a VFT for an appropriate place in your unit. Purposeful planning is essential for the success of a VFT
- Determine student interest, consider asking students about their interests (if possible)
- Draft the learning outcomes/curriculum standards you hope to meet with the VFT
- Search for VFTs in your area (See the Resources section of this website or search the Internet)
- Complete the checklist below to determine if the VFTs you have found are appropriate for you
- Explore your chosen VFT, ensure you know what the students will learn and how they will interact with the content
- Ensure the VFT includes, or develop questioning strategies that support problem-solving and higher order critical thinking
- Implement and enjoy! (See the implementing section of this website for further information)
Developed using (Klemm, & Tuthill, 2003 and Kirchen, 2011).
Activity:
1. Based on what you have learned so far in this tutorial, select one of the annotated VFTs fro the Annotated Virtual Field Trips page. Use the steps for selecting a VFT above to help you determine if you could or would use any of these VFTs with your class.
2. Once you have made your decision, complete the quick survey below.
3. Next move on to the checklist of considerations below.
2. Once you have made your decision, complete the quick survey below.
3. Next move on to the checklist of considerations below.
Survey
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The following is a checklist of considerations for choosing a virtual field trip that can be used by teachers of any grade or subject:
Download the checklist here:
checklist_for_selecting_an_appropriate_vft.pdf | |
File Size: | 47 kb |
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