vftcurrent


 * 1—Introduction**
 * 1) Virtual Field Trip Virtual Handout: http://uatim.wikispaces.com/vft2010
 * 2) UA Tim Shared VFT Resources: []


 * 2—Tentative Agenda**

What is a Virtual Field Trip? Types of Virtual Field Trips & VFT of VFTs Break Locating Pre-Made Virtual Field Trips Using Track Star & Locating Resources Lunch Planning Your Own Virtual Field Trip Creating Your Own Virtual Field Trip Sharing Your Virtual Field Trip Conclusion/Evaluations ||
 * Arrival & Welcome

**3—What is a Virtual Field Trip?**


 * 1) A virtual field trip (VFT) is a standards-based activity which allows students to visit a place of interest on the Web rather than to an actual place.
 * 2) You take a VFT using your computer and the Internet.
 * 3) The place can be near you physically or anywhere in the world.
 * 4) It can even be somewhere that would be otherwise impossible to go!
 * 5) VFTs are not just about websites – they’re about learning.
 * Students gain experiences and bring them back in a variety of formats, including photos, sounds, videos and text, which suit their learning styles.
 * Students are expected to assimilate their experiences and discoveries to transform the material into knowledge demonstrated through a final product.
 * 1) Use VFTs to introduce your students to new places, new people, new processes, etc.

**4—Types of Virtual Field Trips**


 * 1) We will take a virtual field trip to view several different types of virtual field trips.
 * 2) The field trip is located at [].
 * 3) This field trip was created using Track Star, which can be found at [].

**5—How do I get Started?**


 * 1) To prepare a virtual field trip, a teacher must choose a destination, locate grade-level appropriate resources, construct a web page, create meaningful learning tasks, and create rubrics for assessment.
 * 2) It is important for the teacher to choose a destination that is aligned with state and national standards.
 * 3) However, the best way to get started is to examine some of the numerous VFTs that are already available on the internet. We will do this shortly.

**A FEW MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR GETTING STARTED**


 * A few steps to help you in the process: []
 * Free Virtual Field Trip Planning Kit: []
 * Virtual Field Trip Wiki: []
 * Wes Fryer’s Awesome Virtual Field Trip Wiki: []

**6—Assignment Ideas**

1) A good way to keep students focused during the VFT is by preparing a study guide to be completed throughout the trip.


 * Have a general outline and spaces to fill in the information they find
 * Make it look like a trip itinerary
 * Include destinations, places to visit, things to look for (like maps, food, money, climate, etc), and even dates
 * Use stats from sports, population info, etc. for math activities

2) At the end of the VFT, have your students organize and assimilate everything they’ve learned. Have them create:


 * Travel brochures
 * Newsletters or newspapers
 * Posters or collages
 * Travel logs and/or journals
 * Simulated newscasts
 * Educational websites
 * Multimedia presentations

**7-Resources for finding info to build VFTs**


 * 1) Copyright Friendly Photo Resources: http://uatim.wikispaces.com/picresources
 * 2) Thinkfinity: [] (Good source for interactive resources and websites)
 * 3) Alabama Virtual Library: []
 * 4) (Make sure to check out the Britannica Online School Edition Resources)
 * 5) ALEX Web Resources: []
 * 6) APTPlus - Learn360 Videos: [] (Requires APTPlus account)
 * 7) Webcams: []
 * 8) How Stuff Works: []
 * 9) Don’t forget to search for virtual museum or quicktime panorama of your vft topic

**8—Resources/Collections of Virtual Field Trips**


 * 1) Simple K-12 VFTs: []
 * 2) Alice Christie’s Virtual Field Trip Guide: []
 * 3) Free Tech 4 Teachers VFT Resources: []
 * 4) Internet 4 Classrooms VFTs: []
 * 5) Innovative Teaching VFTs: []
 * 6) UEN VFTs: []
 * 7) Tramline: []
 * 8) Virtual Field Trips & Web Museums: []
 * 9) Without the Bus-Virtual Field Trips: []
 * 10) Virtual Adventures: []
 * 11) Google Lit Trips: []
 * 12) Use a Google Search for the type of Virtual Field Trip you would like to use or Panoramic Photos

**9—Tools for Building Virtual Field Trips**


 * 1) Sqworl: [] or Delicious: []
 * 2) Google Maps: [] (Requires Google Account-Free!)
 * 3) Google Earth: [] (Free Download)
 * 4) Google Sites: [] (Free web site & wiki creator)
 * 5) Tramline: [] (Requires download-Not Free!)
 * 6) Track Star: []
 * 7) Wikis: [] or []
 * 8) E-Sheet Style with Word: http://uatim.wikispaces.com/e-sheet
 * 9) UEN Virtual Field Trip Template: [] (Requires Free Registration)
 * 10) PowerPoint: An Example - [] & Video Tutorial: []
 * 11) PowerPoint: Another Example - []
 * 12) Google Earth Lessons: []
 * 13) Copyright Friendly Photo Resources: http://uatim.wikispaces.com/picresources
 * 14) More Copyright Friendly Photo Resources: []
 * 15) Snipurl: [] or Tinyurl: [] or Bitly: []

**10—Other Important ideas**


 * Video Conference Virtual Field Trips/Electronic Field Trips (Usually Not Free)
 * Skype: Connect with an expert somewhere else in the world
 * Web Cams: Famous Places, Zoos, Museums, etc. often have these
 * How Stuff Works
 * APTPlus Videos (Insert into PowerPoint or Google Earth)
 * Places that you can’t go…Inner Ear, The World of a Dust Mite or Virus, Virginia during the Civil War
 * Have Students Create Virtual Field Trips: Project Based Learning/Higher Order Thinking Skills
 * Make a VFT from your own travel photos