Virtual Field Trips

Have you ever thought about taking your 2^nd graders to Italy or The Great Barrier Reef in Australia? If you’re from small town Alabama like me, I’m guessing your answer is “No way!” You couldn’t possibly get on a school bus and drive down to the middle of the ocean unless you are Mrs. Frizzle. So, how exactly do you take your students on the trip of a lifetime without leaving the four walls of your classroom. If you said, “virtual field trips”, then you’re ahead of me. 

A virtual field trip is exactly what it sounds like. It offers guided exploration of (almost) anywhere in the world behind the screen of a computer or tablet. There are loads and loads of resources available for students to explore for  f r e e! 

Research shows that assessments yield higher scores from students that take virtual field trips versus a regular field trip. This is because students are more likely to engage in learning and exploring online, than they would walking around chatting to their pals (and ignoring the tour guide). Weighing the pros and cons, students are able to “travel further”, they can explore virtual reality worlds, it is cheap or free, and ultimately- it’s SAFE! However, virtual field trips cannot replace the senses of a real-life field trip (unless you bring in things that they can smell, touch, or taste related to the topic) and internet access may be limited in some places. 

Resources for virtual field trips:

Virtualfieldtrips.org – browse by grade/state/standards

Annefrank.org – explore Anne Frank’s hideaway and read about different items you click on

Describingegypt.com – explore ancient temples, tombs, etc. 

Skype field trips - students can speak directly to tour guides and ask them questions

YouTube- Virtual reality/ 360 degrees videos

ClassFlow – create your own virtual field trip and tailor it to the needs of your own students

Google Cardboard – explore apps that can be used for virtual field trips

Reflection: In my opinion, Virtual Field Trips should be used often. However, virtual should not replace the fun of real field trips. Students should still be able to go to the Pumpkin Patch or the state capitol, but if you’re talking about submarines and ocean life, students need to be able to get an idea of what those things look like in real life without swimming to the bottom of the sea.