Journal 1 Beginners Guide to Interactive Vertual Field Trips- NETS 3,4,5

Zenetis, J. (2010). The Beginners guide to interactive ertual field trips. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D

Fieldtrips are an important part of a students education. Often times, schools are unable to take classes on fieldtrips because of the cost to do so, or even because of the proximity the schools may or may not be to museums or educational sites. This article introduces the effectiveness of two different type of vertual field trips, the asynchronous vertual field trip and the interactive vertual field trip. The asynchronous VTF's are websites that contain pictures, videos, and text on specific topic that may be held at a specific location. Interactive VFT's are ways a class can be connected with museums, or even another person or class from separate locations, all while in real time and seen over video. These types of field trips allow students to learn and see things from all over the globe without ever leaving their classroom. There is also a low cost, overall, when taking vertual field trips. The most expencive aspect may be for the school to set up the needed equipment, plus the fee to be able to use the interactive sites. Overall, the price is low to students considering the places they can visit interactively are nearly endless.

Q: What equipment is needed to be able to go on an interactive field trip?
A: The equipment needed for a vertual field trip is a videoconferencing unit that is h.323 compatable and capable of IP-based connections. Some schools may already have this equipment, or the district may have it and check it out to teachers for this specific use.

Q: Are there interactive sites that are free to use to further reduce the cost?
A: Although there may by free sites out there, most of the interactive VTF's require a fee. This ensures students are getting quality information, and the cost is usually worked into the budgets because of its growing importance in student's edcuation.