The article I chose focused on the many advatages of virtual field trips, especially with the rising fuel costs. With gas prices above $4 dollars now, the interest in virtual field trips is rising significanty. Schools are having to make budget-cuts, which means field trips are out of the question. Virtual field trips typically involve students using video conferencing software or web browser to visit an online destination. More and more teachers are turning to this new form of technology to take their students to places they may never get to go, without stepping a foot out of the classroom. Many are finding it extremely convenient and very simple to use. In addition, each program is directly tied to academic standards so teachers have a built in assurance that these field trips are tied to precise learning objectives. With regular on-site fieldtrips this can be hard because the teacher is unable to control the learning environtment their students are in. For example, a student with bad behavior may ruin the experience for the rest of the class. Through these field trips teachers, students, and even parents are able to explore places that aren't practical to visit in person such as outer space or volcanoes. Teachers have the option of allowing their students to explore in groups, on their own, or on separate computers but connected with the rest of the class. Students can also listen to guest speakers from all the way across the world! Some teachers believe that virtual fieldtrips rob students of the traditional experience of regular on-site trips, but their purpose is not to replace them, only to provide an alternative option. In my opionion it is a pretty awesome alternative. Of course it is more fun to actually go to the physical location, but when that is not an option, teachers and students couldn't ask for anything better than a virtual field trip. Before this class, I never knew that such a thing existed. I am really excited to create one of my own . I want to make it on Canada so I can share all the wonderful things I get to enjoy up here with everyone down in Florida.
Gas Prices Fuel Rise in Virtual Field Trips
By Laura Devaney
eSchoolNews
link:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=54518
2 comments:
Like you, I was not familiar with the concept of virtual field trips before this class. Now that I am, I feel very confident that they are a good solution for schools
who are not able to fund them because of the rising gas costs and the struggling economy. The budget cuts for schools are a problem and since we can't afford to lose any more teachers, cutting out field trips does seem to be a money saving idea. Though they can never substitute for the learning that takes place on real field trips, they are the best alternative for this time. I think that it's great that students are able to visit other countries on these virtual field trips because they never would have been able to do that on any school trip. One area, inspired by your article, that i would like to know more about is how much real field trips cost. This way we know just
how much money we are saving by using these alternatives. I also wonder how many field trips were taken by each school before the budget cuts.
Great comment on the fact that it doesn't take a teacher to take a child on a field trip. All it takes is a parent or some sort of supervision for the child to explore and learn. This is the way of the future! Good blogg!
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