Virtual Field Trip to Weaselhead!
This week I had the good fortune of going on a field trip with my fellow teacher candidates wherein we paid a visit to the Weaselhead Flats and took part in STEAM activities. It is my pleasure to share with you my virtual field experience to the Weaselhead Flats created as a reflectioin and firtherance of our adventures. The purpose of this field experience was to explore the ways in which we can connect curriculum to real world, engaging, and fun experiences.
There are a plethora of benefits to creating and engaging in virtual field trips. Perhaps what stood out to me the most was the idea that oftentimes, we take for granted that the experiences we as educators have previously had, many of our students have not. Offering virtual field experiences allows a low barrier to students in experiential learning and gives them the chance to see and explore new concepts. In addition, we can take the students virtually anywhere around the world, as well as our immediate surroundings.
By virtue of the experience being presented in an interactive, technology rich environment, we grant our students a substantial buy-in. When we consider the experiences we choose, we see that we can become time travelers, deep-sea explorers, astronauts, and so much more. That is, we can take otherwise intangible concepts, and present them to our students in real-world and up-close contexts. Students are also given the opportunity to inquire and take their learning farther; even cross-curricularly. Furthermore, I see the benefits of using virtual field trips in the classroom. In particular, they might serve as a follow-up for students who might not have been able to go on an actual field trip. Virtual field trips are also cost effective, and there are far less concerns with running one than were it physical. Following the creation of my virtual field experience of Weaselhead Flats, I can see myself continuing to do this during my practicum and beyond; perhaps even making a full themed day around one.
Jaiden, I appreciate you sharing the comprehensive perspective you have on virtual field trips! It is great to see this new concept come to life, given that we did not utilize this tool in our own educational experiences. You offer great detail within your virtual field trip, with an appealing aesthetic that will capture student attention. I value the way in which you reflected back on the idea that we as teachers often take our experiences for granted. It is easy to look back on our experiences and categorize the field trips we enjoyed, and those we may not have enjoyed as much. That being said, our students might have completely different experiences than us! I think virtual field trips are a great way to bring these unique experiences to the classroom. In consideration of cross curricular aims, I wonder if virtual field trips truly offer the same educational benefits as regular field trip? Furthermore, what sort of flaws or downsides are there to virtual field trips aside from the fact that they are not "hands-on"?
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