Virtual field trips
You can take a wide variety of virtual field trips at this link with Google Arts and Culture https://artsandculture.google.com/project/expeditions.
I took a virtual field trip to the 7 New Wonders of the World (ePublishing Partners and Airpano). I visited the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum of Rome, Chichén-Itzá, Petra, Rio de Janeiro and Machu Picchu. Similar to a powerpoint presentation, each information page shares information about the high points of each location. However, it differs in that each description includes a 360 degree panoramic image to explore different parts of the site you are visiting. You get what amounts to a bird’s eye view of the location and its environs but you can explore the site by moving the picture to look to the left, right, top, or bottom of it in a 360 degree circle.
It’s a great way to gain a first hand visual and a somewhat hands-on experience of a new place. Since you are exploring a panoramic image, the field trip allows you to explore the broader context of each part of the location. You feel as if you are actually there looking around. The field trip provides just enough information to get you interested in learning more and to activate your curiosity to pursue more in depth exploration. I especially would have liked to zoom in on the buildings for each site to see the architecture and artwork more clearly. I would also like to have seen panoramic views of the inside of Machu Picchu, Petra, and Chichén-Itzá. Chichén-Itzá is the one place on my virtual tour that I have actually visited and the virtual tour did a great job catching the essence of the place while providing narratives explaining what you were looking at. On the virtual field trip, I got to explore parts of the site that I was not able to see when I was there.
As an added bonus I earned a Google Arts and Culture Bookworm Badge. It was so motivating I took another virtual tour of Paris and earned two more badges! I definitely think my students would find it more exciting than my powerpoint about Paris.
Layered reality
Layered reality is a powerful way for an individual to interact with technology to enhance real world activities or experience a completely virtual world. One simple technology you can use are QR codes. I can see using QR codes posted in various parts of the library to conduct an information literacy type scavenger hunt where each QR code gives you a new clue to complete your journey while students work with partners or groups at their own pace (QRTiger, para. 33). It has the potential to be much more engaging than a typical presentation and lecture. I also see QR codes as a welcome tool in the classroom where students could scan a QR code to go to the bathroom during class that would keep me from having to stop teaching to write passes.
As a French teacher, I often hear “what does it matter if I learn French, I’m never going there”. Working with socioeconomically challenged populations, virtual reality headsets are a real possibility for students to reach out and interact with another world culture without actually leaving the classroom. “Using VR, every student gets the same opportunity to enjoy the experience. Unlike traditional school trips that can be too expensive for parents or too impractical for their children, VR is for all students” (Immersion VR, para. 18). Very few of my students but the most privileged are able to afford a trip abroad. Immersion VR also states that virtual reality is a means of engaging those students bored with traditional classroom methods (Immersion VR, para. 17). I love the idea of facilitating my students’ interaction with another culture and experiencing it on an elemental level while at the same time simply having fun. Virtual reality could help students see the usefulness of learning another language as a result of their VR experience.
QR Code
I used QRCode Monkey to create a QR code for my ePortfolio. It took less than 5 minutes and I tested it with my cell phone. It works like a charm!
References
ePublishing Partners and Airpano (n.d.). 7 New Wonders of the World. Google Arts & Culture. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/WwURFnRfOCnVEQ
Immersion VR (n.d.). VR for education. https://immersionvr.co.uk/about-360vr/vr-for-education/
QrTiger (2022, July 3). 10 ways to use QR codes in school libraries. https://www.qrcode-tiger.com/qr-codes-in-school-libraries
Kat, you brought up some really good points in your post. Having students experience the culture of a place they might never visit is a great way to utilize VR. It can also help them see how their education can help them (like being able to read signs in French if they visit someplace in France). Also, I enjoyed hearing about the place you visited in person matched up with your experience on the virtual field trip. This can show us that the virtual field trips are level with the real thing (well, not exactly level, but close! 🙂 )
I love the idea of immersing students into the culture of France with virtual reality technology. I also hear my students complain because of how disconnected they feel from the content. I wonder how many stories I could bring to life in Language Arts class by taking students on tours using virtual field trips and VR tech to explore the settings. Thanks for these ideas!
I agree with expanding your students’ knowledge with virtual field trips to France. When you are immersed in virtual reality, you feel like you are actually experiencing the place in real life. This would really help keep the students’ interest in the French culture. They could see the Eiffel Tower up close or walk into a cafe to order a drink. There is so much potential with integrating virtual reality into your classroom.
Wouldn’t it be cool if virtual reality became so real you could actual visit people? I’m guessing that’s what meta is all about. I do worry about kids not relating to what is real around them though, like kids texting each other when they are both sitting at the dining room table and could just talk!
The Van Gogh museum virtual visit was fabulous. On nice thing about it being virtual, is you can connect with individual artworks and his personal letters. It was fascinating.
I think it would be great to find a Louvre virtual field trip or one of the other famous museums.
I agree with your quote and reasoning about the equity component of layered reality in the classroom. Travel has traditionally only been available to a few. With Covid protocols, travel is even more elusive. Bringing the location or trip to the student creates equity and possibilities!
I also enjoyed the virtual field trips, I did experience a couple of the options. The panoramic view and the ability to zoom in to read the information blurb on the exhibits were awesome.