The article I found is titled "The Nine Planet Solar System". The article begins by informing us that there is now officially only eight planets. It includes links such as "observatories" which directs the viewer to another page that has a list of telescopic observations that scientists have made, and a content page with links to the eight planets with pictures, and other information about them.
This technology can be very valuable to students. They can get a sense of a place, such as the Solar System, that they may never get the opportunity to see other wise. Also, some of the virtual field trips are made by students and other students can relate better when it is created by one of their peers.
With school only in session for approximately 8 hours a day, many teachers may feel like they do not have the time to get information across to their students, and encourage out of school learning. With websites such as the virtual field trips, students get to have a fun, interactive tool that, in my opinion, is more beneficial and interesting right at their finger tips. It also gives students a chance to visit a place that they may be nervous or scared about and can put them at ease.
The teacher can benefit from virtual field trips too. Schools have a certain criteria of what is appropriate for their students and by 'visiting' the place ahead of time, everyone, including parents, get a better idea of what their children will be exposed to.
This assignment has definately stuck my interest in finding out about places I can visit without spending money to do so, and will broaden my education. As a teacher, I will use this technology to my advantage to help better educate my future students.
http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/
1 comment:
Amanda, I definitely have to agree with you. By accessing web sites in the classroom children are able to visit places they normally would mostly likely never get to see. I like how you mentioned that it is a great way for them to be more comfortable about places, things and issues that they may be worried or scared about. Also, by encouraging learning outside of the classroom the children are provided a much larger scale of information and I think that parent involvement is key for all sides of the matter: the student, the teacher and the parent. Virtual Field Trips are a great way to learn, experience and save money. Thank you for sharing this experience, Mia Cirillo
Post a Comment