Virtual field trips allow students to explore new places through online resources without leaving the classroom. They guide students through web-based content on various themes and can be created using tools like PowerPoint, Google Earth, and WebQuests. Virtual field trips engage students, support different learning styles, and provide opportunities for active learning at each student's own pace. Teachers are encouraged to clearly define learning objectives, provide structure and flow, include multimedia elements, and assess student learning from virtual field trips.

1. Virtual Field Trips Professional Development Melanie B. Wiscount

2. Objectives Become familiar with the different types of virtual field trips Become familiar with locating and using diverse Internet resources that can be used on a virtual field trip Develop strategies for aligning a virtual field trip with existing curriculum and standards Understand how to use Microsoft PowerPoint to create and present virtual field trips to students Develop strategies for assessing virtual field trips

3. What is a Virtual Field Trip? Interactive Web-based experiences that guide students through an exploration of content about themes, such as a specific place or time. Takes students on a tour of a location, topic, or theme using a series of web sites that have been linked in a fashion to create a guided learning experience. http://online.howtomaster.com/training/html/itc2/itc20201/page5.html

4. Virtual Field Trips: challenge and expose students to new types of technology – challenge-based learning are a great way to spark student interest are a great way to motivate student learning in a specific topic in a specific content area offer students more opportunities because they can go to places they wouldn't normally be able to go http://www.simplek12.com/virtualfieldtrips

5. Virtual Field Trips: boost students' reading comprehension skills expose them to different cultures and environments are a great way to engage and encourage interaction in the classroom connects content-based information into the experience of a virtual environment offer new experiences for your students http://www.simplek12.com/virtualfieldtrips

6. Virtual Field Trip Advantages Students can move through the Virtual Field Trip at their own pace – reading & interacting at a pace that is appropriate to them Students can explore the virtual environment with as much detail as they want Students can take control of their own learning = meaningful experience http://files.howtomaster.com/marketing/virtualfieldtrips_teachers.pdf

7. Virtual Field Trip Advantages VFTs offer revisit and relearn opportunities No organization, planning, financing, or liability like normal field trips VFTs can be used as active learning tools Kindergarten through Grade 12 Appeal to our millennial learners http://files.howtomaster.com/marketing/virtualfieldtrips_teachers.pdf

8. Virtual Field Trip Tips Start with a clearly defined purpose & learning objective Good structure and obvious flow Make sure all sites are appropriate for school and for level Know that planning and creating a virtual field trip takes time After it is created, monitor the VFT by checking to see that all the site links are active as time goes by http://files.howtomaster.com/marketing/virtualfieldtrips_teachers.pdf

9. Virtual Field Trip Tips Go through it a day before your students. Make sure all links are active and not filtered by your school's network Add as many stimuli to satisfy auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning opportunities to meet all students’ needs Have students document their findings on a separate paper or word processing file; ask questions throughout the VFT to guide & inspire learning Should be used to enhance the content, not deliver the content http://files.howtomaster.com/marketing/virtualfieldtrips_teachers.pdf

10. Virtual Field Trips Can Be Produced Using: PowerPoint presentation Glogster Google Earth tours Webquests Webpages Wikis

11. VFTs = 21st Century Best Practices! Creates a multimedia learning experience – perfect for our millennial students Active learning Personalized learning Real world connections Self-paced learning Revisits mean relearning Develops digital literacy & other 21st century skills Offer teachers a way to customize the content to their students’ needs

12. Elements of a VFT Trip Journal Virtual Visit Introduction with stated purpose Standards Glossary Linked visits Assessment Evaluation