Virtual Field Trips vs. Real Field Trips - Tara

 Works cited: Litherland, Neil, 2012, "Virtual Field Trips vs. Physical Field Trips". Web. www.ehow.com/about_5439078_virtual-vs-physical-field-trip.html

Summary: Virtual Field Trips have become more popular because of  advances in technology.  Students can take tours through museums or other public places through the Internet where they wouldn't be able to go because of distances or finances.  Live field trips offer students seeing something firsthand.  They are able to interact with activities or experiences.


The costs of both options could be the same.  Virtual field trips may require extra software compared to an actual field trip cost of admission fee, parking or transportation costs.  Taking a virtual trip to a foreign country could be a learning benefit to keep costs down.

Assess: The author , Neil Litherland, is an eHow contributor.  The website and author are current and qualified.  The information is new and up-to-date for the topic.

Reflect: I like the way the article compared the two concepts side-by-side.  It gives me the pros and cons of virtual field trips vs. physical field trips.  I definetly will use this information in the future when considering a field trip with my students.  I have the option of so many places near my school or far away. 

Works cited:  "Virtual Field Trips: A Whole New World of Field Trips." 30 May 2010. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=183073&title=Virtual_Field_Trips.

Summary:  The video explains that a virtual field trip is a trip that a student or class can take on the internet.  A virtual field trip can help a class get information from places that they couldn't necessarily visit.  Some examples are The White House, galaxy tour, museums, farms and the mountains.  These field trips are a way to expand the classroom.  It is suggested to have pre-field trip activites and post-field trip activities to extend the learning experience.

Assess:  The video was done on a professional website for teachers.  It is a current site for viewers.  Virtual field trips are a newer concept so this video is good for an introduction.

Reflect:  I thought this video explained the main concept of what a virtual field trip is.  I know I got caught up in viewing virtual field trips and "going" places.  I know I will use virtual field trips in my classroom in the future.