Virtual Field Trips for Student Summer Fun

1. Virtual field trips can help students learn about different cultures and places around the world. With a virtual field trip, students can visit museums, historical sites, and other places that they might not be able to visit in person. This can help them learn about different cultures and perspectives, and it can also help them develop a global awareness.

2. Virtual field trips can help students explore different subjects and topics. There are virtual field trips available on a wide range of subjects, from science to history to art. This can help students explore their interests and learn more about the world around them.

3. Virtual field trips can help students develop critical thinking skills. When students are on a virtual field trip, they are often asked to answer questions, complete activities, and think critically about what they are seeing. This can help them develop their critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in school and in life.

4. Virtual field trips can help students learn how to use technology effectively. Virtual field trips require students to use technology in order to participate. This can help them learn how to use technology effectively, which is a valuable skill in today's world.

5. Virtual field trips can be fun! Virtual field trips can be a fun and engaging way for students to learn. They can provide a break from the traditional classroom setting and they can help students learn in a more interactive way.

Here are some additional benefits of virtual field trips:

• They are more affordable than traditional field trips.

• They are more accessible to students with disabilities.

• They can be taken at any time, from anywhere in the world.

• They can be tailored to the specific needs of the students.

Doing virtual field trips in your classroom is one thing. You are there to guide students and give directions and support so in-class virtual field trips are definitely easy to manage. However, successful summer virtual field trips may require an extra step or two to pull off successfully. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Start early in building buy-in with students AND parents. Communicate that you'll be sharing various virtual field trip ideas throughout the summer for them to take advantage of.

2. Find out what type of field trips your students might enjoy the most. Do they like the sound of exploring museums. College-minded students may find that virtual college tours may be more exciting. Can you find virtual field trips for your content area? There are plenty of ones for science and the arts while other content areas may need to set the context to tweak the virtual field trip to be more content-friendly.

3. Set up a means to communicate the field trips. Will it be via a Wakelet that you add to throughout the summer. Maybe a Google Site is easier for you to put together and manage. If your students have access to texting or email during the summer then that might be the most convenient route. If your students are younger then ask parents if they would be willing to get an occasional text message alerting them of new resources, activities and ideas.

4. Build in a contest or game to encourage participation. Think of how you can make the learning the means to an end so that it is fun. Can you create a virtual breakout room for each month that uses a few different virtual field trip sites? Students experience the field trips looking for clues or info to break out...and their name goes in a drawing for the month.

• Online Museum Virtual Field Trips for Students (Educational and Mobile Learning) This site shares 14 great museums that students will enjoy visiting...and they won't even need their passport!

• Free Educational Virtual Field Trips (Thinking Kids) Elemetnary students will enjoy you guiding them through these experiences. Besides virtual field trips, you'll find resources such as live animal cams as well to excite students' love of animals and learning.

• 18 Virtual Field Trip Ideas for Early Leaners (Ms. Deanna Jump) Ms. Jump has gathered great sites for kindergarten and first grade students. From exploring volcanoes to farms to under the ocean, kiddos will find fun with each site she offers.

• 8 Space Virtual Field Trips for Students (Space Foundation) Science teachers will enjoy sharing these sites with their students. Consider sending out a few each month to spread the eight sites out over the summer!

• 30 Awesome Virtual Field Trips to Bring the World Into Your Classroom (Bored Teachers) Even if you don't listen to their podcast or read their blog, you are sure to enjoy these sites that they've curated so that you AND your students won't be bored.

• 15 Habitats Virtual Field Trips for Kids (Around the Kampfire) Explore a variety of habitats with this nicely curated list of sites. Think of creating a study guide or crossword puzzle to go with each one to direct the independent learning.

• Explore the World with Virtual Field Trips (Nature Labs) Besides having a video field trip for students to enjoy, Nature Labs also provides a free teacher guide for each trip which identifies the grade level, essential questions, vocabulary, discussion questions AND MORE!

• Free Virtual Field Trips For Kids (Kids Activities) Elementary students will enjoy what you share from this curated list. Whether is seeing where the Cowboys football team plays, exploring the Alamo church, or walking through the Egyptian pyramids, students will have plenty to keep them interested!

• Free Virtual Field Trips (Freedom Homeschooling) This extensive list of virtual trips is very nicely categorized so that you can easily share out one (or two) categories a month with students over the summer and still have sites left over to share when school starts!

• 40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips (We Are Teachers) No permission slips needed to take advantage of this amazing list of virtual tours and experiences. You'll find some of the usual trips but also some that are quite nerdy!