This document provides guidance for teachers on using instructional media and virtual field trips in the classroom. It discusses how virtual experiences can bring the world into the classroom without long travel. Teachers can plan virtual tours to fit curriculum standards and act as guides to share knowledge. The document offers tips for introducing, discussing, and concluding virtual experiences to keep students engaged. It provides examples of virtual field trips to locations like zoos, museums, and historic sites that allow students to virtually visit places they cannot physically go.

1. bringing the
world to the
classroom door
e d u c 5 5 5
m e g a n b a s h o r e

2. instructional media:
cues and questions
When is using instructional media to
introduce new concepts appropriate?
Providing accurate visuals
Clearing up known misconceptions

3. Making the most of a
virtual experience
“There is no better way, short of traveling
long distances with your students, to share
the wonders of the world while connecting
them to their studies” -Jan Zanetis (ISTE)
Teachers can
Plan the tours to fit into the curriculum
Prepare activities matching standards

4. “The variety of technology tools that make
use of video, audio, interactive materials, web
links, and videoconferencing allows teachers
to act as travel guides, naturalists, curators,
and historians.” -Michael Bowker
Teachers can...
Set the pace
Tailor for age-appropriate content

5. online magazine
http://ngexplorer.cengage.com/

6. Introduction
Start by using questions that guide the
students to what they already know.
Explain what they will learn and clearly state
an objective.
Tell them what to listen for in the
presentation.

7. Discussion
Stop often to discuss what the students have
learned.
Have the students re-state what was taught in
the presentation.
Encourage student interaction during the
presentation. The goal is to keep them
engaged.
Allow time for questions.

8. Conclusion
Have an activity at the end to reinforce what
the students learned.
A summarizing task is an effective way of
helping students know the important facts
they will need to remember.
As a teacher, confirm that students have met
the objective you intended.

9. Virtual Tours
Although there are many locations our classes
cannot physically visit, these places have been
made available virtually.
It is said that a benefit of the Internet is that
it makes the world a much smaller place.

10. animals
San Diego Zoo
Monteray Bay
Aquarium
National
Geographic
Critter Cam
zoo.sandiegozoo.org
www.monteraybayaquarium.org
animals.nationalgeographic.com

11. museums
Smithsonian: National Museum of Natural History
www.mnh.si.edu

12. International Spy Museum
www.spymuseum.org

13. Hershey’s Chocolate Factory
Holocaust Museum
www.hersheys.comwww.ushmm.org

14. Locations
The White
House
Colonial
Williamsburg
7 World
Wonders
www.whitehouse.gov
www.history.org
www.panoramas.dk

15. Planning
& Implementing
What would I like students to see?
Am I using time wisely?
Have I stated a clear objective?
Are students keeping their focus?

16. references
Zanetis, J. (2010). The beginner's guide to
interactive virtual field trips. Learning &
Leading With Technology, 37(6), 20-23.
Bowker, M. (2010). A virtual ticket to ride.
T H E Journal, 37(5), 13-14.