Internet information is dynamic and sometimes difficult to access from other sources.  One of the most amazing and useful features of the Internet is that it provides instant access to current and updated information on specific events.  For example, students can make decisions and determine the direction of their learning as they:

• instantly access news events as they occur

• observe of the progress of weather patterns

• monitor volcanic or hurricane activity

• 'live chat" with persons in various positions and professions

• exchange email, pictures, and movies with students from around the world

• participate in field trips and expeditions from the classroom

• view "live cams" from all over the world

• monitor stock market activity

• dissect a frog online

The purpose of this activity is to help you bring the virtual nature of the Internet to your students through a virtual field trip.

A virtual field trip is a field trip to another environment, whether real or simulated,  through the Internet.  It is NOT just a visit to some pictures on a web site.  Similar to a "live" field trip to a museum or nature center, a virtual field trip engages the student in an experience that one would not normally have in the classroom.  The quality of a virtual field trip will very much depend on your creativity as a teacher and willingness to explore the web for appropriate content and web sites.  In order to create a virtual field trip, you will implement the following steps:

First, you should visit each of the links in the following sections on this page:

• Virtual Expeditions

• Web Tours

• Virtual Museums and Virtual Libraries

Second, you should read the section on this page titled "Planning a Virtual Field Trip" and visit the related links.

Third, you should create a virtual field trip as directed by your instructor!

Planning a Virtual Field Trip

Your mission is to plan a virtual field trip for your students.  You will report the results of this activity by completing the questions below.

Most teachers create virtual field trips using any of the numerous virtual field trip sites that are available on the Internet.  These sites vary a great deal in quality.  Some sites are designed to host interactive virtual field trips such as Amazon 2003 from Online Expeditions.  Other sites are less oriented towards the viewer and the teacher must be creative in planning activities.  

Some teachers create their own virtual field trips by taking pictures and building a web site.

There are literally thousands of web sites dealing with virtual field trips through a wide range of topics! The links below will give you basic information about virtual field trips with many examples.

To find a virtual field trip for a specific topic, you may use the links on this page or you may use a search engine.  Choose your TOPIC first and then find a virtual field trip.  Obviously, all topics that you study in the curriculum will not be suitable for virtual field trips.

Remember, the more interactive the virtual field trip site, the more engaged your students will be in your planned activities!  

To start, visit the following sites, then complete questions 1 to 13 below:

Gotta Get out of Class with Virtual Field Trips Please read the article!
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech071.shtml
An easy to read online article from Education World

Guidelines for Virtual Field Trips Please read these guidelines!
http://surfaquarium.com/IT/vftguide.htm
Excellent guidelines for the do's and don'ts of virtual field trips

Virtual Field Trips
http://surfaquarium.com/IT/vft.htm
Many virtual field trip links from surfaquarium.com

Virtual Sites
http://www.virtualfreesites.com
Allows you to search for a virtual field trip
 

Following are a list of questions designed to serve as guidelines as you plan your virtual field trip.  The questions are divided into three areas: pre-planning, implementation, and follow-up. Please type (or copy) the questions followed by your response.

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Virtual Field Trip: Pre-planning
 

  
1. Identify the following: name of field trip, goals of field trip, grade level, and subject matter.

2. What will you do to prepare students for the virtual field trip?  How will this coincide with your lessons?  What lessons will be taught prior to the field trip?

3. How long (duration in periods and days) is the field trip? Will the field trip be part of the formal class time?  How will time be allocated? Will the students complete the trip all at once or through an extended period of time?

4. Will the student work individually or in groups of 2, 3 or 4?  Will the students collaborate?  If so, when and how?

5. What will the teacher's role be during the virtual field trip?

6. Please list the names and addresses of all web sites that will be used for the field trip. How did you learn about these sites? You must have at least 3 links in the 3-part format (name, address, one-sentence description).

7. How many computers will be available for this activity?  How many students will be at each computer?

8. What supplemental materials or activities will there be to make the virtual field trip more realistic?  Examples of this are:

• Student Dress
• Food Items
• Instruments (such as a compass)
• Role Playing
• Discussion with persons at the virtual field trip site through email or chat rooms
• Rewards or certificates for completing the virtual field trip

9.  How will students USE or APPLY  the information they find as a result of going on a virtual field trip?

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Virtual Field Trip: Implementation
 

10. Give an outline of the procedures or activities that will take place during the field trip.  Please do this in sequential form.  Be sure to include a description and an estimated time for each activity.

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Virtual Field Trip: Follow-up
 

11. What will you do as a follow-up to the virtual field trip?  What lessons will be taught after the field trip?

12.  How will you evaluate the success of the virtual field trip?