Videoconferencing Collaborations and Virtual Field Trips

 

OVERVIEW: Interactive videoconferencing provides an outstanding modality for engaging students in the learning process and permitting them to experience new learning opportunities that might otherwise be impossible. In this session, we will explore different options for K-12 virtual field trips using videoconferencing and discuss the requirements for setting up the videoconference and actually connecting. We'll discuss ways to activate student schema with pre-conference activities, and also explore possibilities for safely using videoconferencing for class to class exchanges across the nation or the globe. (While this workshop focuses on interactive virtual field trips that use videoconferencing, this wiki includes links to non-interactive / online virtual field trips as well.)

 

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VFTs with Videoconferencing (synchronous, interactive)

  1. What is a virtual field trip? (using videoconferencing)
    1. WikiPedia definition
    2. Intro to Educational Videoconferencing
    3. Favorite virtual field trips from Berrien County Intermediate School District (Michigan)
    4. Our favorite virtual field trips (a collaborative wiki space for workshop participants)
  2. What equipment do I need?
    1. HARDWARE BASED
      1. Traditional (hardware based) videoconferencing requires videoconferencing equipment (a CODEC) and a fast Internet connection.
      2. Videoconferencing equipment and connectivity info from AT&T
    2. SOFTWARE BASED
      1. Desktop (software based) videoconferencing requires a computer, a fast Internet connection, a webcam a microphone and videoconferencing sofware.
      2. Free videoconferencing software includes Skype, iChat (Mac only), and Yahoo Messenger. These programs do not used standards-based videoconferencing technologies, they only connect to other people using the same videoconferencing software program.
      3. Free standards-based (H.323) videoconferencing software includes Ekiga (Windows and Linux) and XMeeting (Macintosh).
      4. Commercial standards-based (H.323) videoconferencing software includes Polycom PVX software (Windows-only).
  3. Examples
    1. NASA's Digital Learning Network Event Catalog - Free! - NASA Digital Learning Network overview from Damon Talley (PDF)
    2. The Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, New York
    3. The Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana
    4. The San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California
  4. How can I find other available virtual field trip videoconference providers?
    1. CILC and Tandberg Search for Interactive Learning Opportunities
    2. Polycom Videoconference Content Provider Database-
    3. Educational Videoconferencing Content Provider Directories from AT&T
    4. Videoconference Adventures from AT&T
    5. Register for a free account with ePals and search or advertise for collaborative project partners.
    6. Use NoodleTrips to locate content providers

 

Other Resources

  1. My videoconferencing social bookmarks (websites related to videoconferencing, usually in classroom contexts.)
  2. AT&T Knowledge Network Explorer: Videoconferencing for Learning Homepage
  3. University of Illinois' Resources and Information on Videoconferencing
  4. Teaching with ePals - Links to projects, suggestions for classroom strategies, etc.

 

VFTs with a Web Browser (asynchronous, non-interactive)

 

  1. Examples
    1. Monterey Bay Aquarium
    2. Yellowstone Wolves
    3. The Tornado Field Trip
    4. Online virtual musuems
    5. Online VFTs organized by content area from the Utah Education Network
    6. More from eFieldTrips (registration before the trip required)

 

Other Resources

 

Education photo by Marco Torres

 

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

 

Please direct questions about this resource to Wesley Fryer.

 


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