VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS: THE NEXT BEST THING TO BEING THERE (AND SOMETIMES BETTER!)

Although field trips are nothing new, the evolution of their delivery - from actual site visits to recorded instructional television programs to interactive multimedia CD-ROMs and on to real-time experiences via the World Wide Web - is an exciting and powerful utilization of Internet technology that enhances science education! The real world is where theory and practice come together and science becomes relevant, making sense that leads to understanding. Virtual field trips enable the principles of student-centered inquiry and constructivism to be practiced.

What exactly is a virtual field trip? An extensive Internet search was conducted over the second quarter of 1999 to develop and create a listing that summarizes the key content, educational and support components of virtual field trips available on the World Wide Web. To objectively compare science-related virtual field trips with respect to elements that impact the usability as a teaching tool, a new instrument was designed in collaboration with intermediate and graduate level science and math educators. The quantity and variety of World Wide Web sites dedicated to virtual field trips reflects an interest and willingness that could help move science education into a new realm.

The tremendous potential of field trips is not restricted to educating students, but can also be applied to training teachers in both technology and pedagogy. Actually taking teachers into the field provides a real-life experience that combines the multi-disciplinary aspects of system science. Such exposure can then be used to develop an interest in technology by encouraging teachers to create their own virtual field trip. In an integrated science learning environment, as implemented in the Master of Arts in Teaching Science Education program at the University of Texas at Dallas, the energy of the actual experience can be transferred to the classroom each time a trip is virtually experienced!