It’s hard to think back to Elementary School without remembering the field trips to the zoo or the history museum. As our students have gotten older, we often do less experiential learning when in reality we should be doing more. Unfortunately, with the rising costs of transportation and fuel, field trips often become a luxury that many classes, departments or school districts can’t afford.
But the experience can actually be simulated through Virtual Field Trips and while the experience is not exactly the same, it can be pretty close. Additionally, it can actually give students an experience that they couldn’t be given due to time, space, and place. Check out a few of these opportunities to engage students in places that you could never get them to in reality.
Queens Botanical Garden Visitor & Administration Building http://www.queensbotanical.org/media/file/QBG.swf
This virtual field trip explores a green building where students can learn about solar energy systems and geothermal systems. Exploration can see how recycled materials, sun shade, bamboo walls, insulation and waste management help this building be earth-friendly. (Content connections: Science)
The Secret Annex
http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/Enter-the-3D-house/#/house/21/
The secret annex has put the family home of Anne Frank into virtual reality. Students can explore the home, passages, and secret rooms. For Architecture and Design students, they could discuss the structure of the building. Additionally, students could create floor plans or 3D models of rooms based on the virtual tour. (Content connections: History, Literature)
Google Wonders
http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/
Using the street view of Google Maps, this collaborative project has made it possible for students from all over the world to “travel” to wonders of the ancient and modern word. When discussing Roman, Greek, European or Scandinavian styles, students can explore visually to be able to compare and contrast components of design. (Content connections: History, art, geography)
White House Interactive Tour
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/inside-white-house/interactive-tour
Students can explore the rooms and hallways of the White House to learn more about the structure and floor plans. (Content connections: History, government)
Seven Wonders Panoramas
http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/
Brilliant panoramic photos that are interactive and allow students to explore this majestic wonders of our worlds. Architecture and Construction students can identify common building elements and materials to discuss why this wonders have lasted for so many centuries and yet the buildings of today with “better” technology often do not last. (Content connections: History, art, geography)
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