Journal #1

The Beginner’s Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trip.

Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginners guide to interactive virtual field trips. Learning and Leading, 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
Nowadays with the majority of schools suffering budget crisis, school field trips are almost obsolete. Field trips are important and a great resource for students to connect with what they are learning in the classroom with real life experience.
Fortunately with advancement in technology, virtual field trips are a more affordable option than the traditional one. There are two types of virtual field trips: Asynchronous VFTs and Interactive VFTs.
Asynchronous VFTs are various websites that include text, audio or video resources about specific topics that help supplement the curriculum presented. Interactive VFTs are real-time experience in which students in one location learn from experts in another location. Interactive VFTs use the internet with h.323 videoconferencing technology. There are approximately 300 organizations that offer interactive VFTs to schools. Credentialed experts present live, interactive lessons targeted to the grade level and student’s area of study.
There is a fee for VFTs but compared to the cost of real field trip and the value students get out of this experience many schools have decided to incorporate these costs into their budget.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of VFTs?
VFTs are a great option for budget constraint schools to provide a different experience for students to relate the curriculum with real world experience. VFTs are more affordable than the traditional field trips. VFT options go beyond the school location, students could take a field trip anywhere in the country. Imagine how exciting would be for students to take a VFT with a NASA engineer. This would not be possible for most students due to geographical location.
The disadvantages of VFTs is that students can’t replicate the experience of actually being in the location of the field trip. Videoconferencing, looking at a computer screen is never the same as being at the museum, zoo, aquarium, etc. Students could not have the same hands-on experience of touching, smelling, executing an experiment through VFTs.

Would you incorporate VFTs in your classroom?
Yes, I would definitely incorporate VFTs in my classroom. If my school does not have the necessary equipment for the interactive VFT, I would at least sign up for the asynchronous VFT. Teaching language, art and culture VFTs would be an indispensable complement for the curriculum.