Kelli Hayes

Where Are We Going? Field trips in education What is a Virtual Field Trip (VFT)? Different flavors of VFTs VFT development Basic guidelines for VFTs

Memorable field trip? Why is it memorable? –Hands on experience –Enhance interest in subject –Novel places and things –Exciting!

Logistics of a field trip? Cost Transportation Insurance Scheduling Time consuming

A virtual field trip (VFT) is a guided exploration through the world wide web, structured as an online learning experience

Course objectives and learning outcomes are the guide for a VFT Outline of exercises with specific instructions are the structure of a VFT Students learn and develop understanding by engaging with the course material

What a virtual field trip is and is not… Virtual field trips are interactive experiences in which students can further engage in the course material Virtual field trips are not sight seeing tours

Virtual Field Trips The beauty of virtual field trips is that they can be customized for your students and the educational goals you want to meet You can create your own VFT!

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Asynchronous VFTs are websites that deliver text, audio, or video resources about specific topics Many have instructor resources available ExampleExample #1 ExampleExample #2 ExampleExample #3 Virtual Field Trips

Synchronous VFTs are interactive, real-time Videoconferencing systems (ie. Tandberg) can be used Skype Web tools, Webex, Google Hangout Example Another example

VFT… the beginning for me Fall 2013 ANT2000 course development Goal: develop a forensic anthropology crime scene, problem-solving and inquiry- based learning Brainstorming with AT

How do you decide if a VFT will work for your class? Any concepts that are difficult for your students to understand? Think through your curriculum, and make a list of those hard-to-teach topics Search for VFTs that meet your learning goals Basic Guidelines

VFTs are not just for science! –Literature –History –Music –Mathematics –Art Basic Guidelines

Complete your own research first Handout on Canvas to get you started Build excitement about the VFT help students to prepare Before they depart on their online journey, make sure they understand the background of the event or topic they are visiting Basic Guidelines

Provide learning goals Make it clear to the students exactly why they are taking the VFT Challenge the students with a problem to solve, or an assignment to complete while they are on the VFT (ie. trail map, treasure hunt)

Be sure students know the url Engage students using activities Guide them as they move through the VFT Provide a clear path, with explanations, background information, and a provocative question at each step Follow up activities after VFT Basic Guidelines

End of our field trip… You can take learning beyond the confines of a classroom!! Customize learning environment in a VFT Engage students with course material Opportunity for inquiry-based learning Utilize problem solving skills No limits!