ISS CHALLENGES Winner Amanda Murdoch: Virtual Field Trips

Aug 2020

“What new practices should schools keep or implement as a result of our experience with online learning?” We recently posed this question to educators around the world through our innovation platform ISS CHALLENGES. The response was tremendous, and we’re excited to share the winning ideas with you.

In this feature, Amanda Murdoch of the International School of Aruba explores the opportunities of virtual field trips.

Virtual Field Trips

By Amanda Murdoch

Virtual field trips bring the world into our online classrooms, and is a valuable tool to continue when we go back to school. Living on a small island limits the opportunities for field trips, and sheltering at home has only increased our isolation. With virtual field trips, students can explore the world!

The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC), has been an incredible resource. This site offers global learning opportunities and connects classrooms with educational programs around the world. Students can travel to the Great Barrier Reef and talk to a diver underwater, see puffins at the Alaska Sea Life Center, visit dinosaur exhibits and connect with an actual paleontologist. My grade four class has connected to several free options.

We visited the International Space Station, the Seattle Aquarium, the San Diego Zoo, connected live with a geologist at the Grand Canyon, and a biologist at the Rocky Mountains. To make it more interactive and “real” we dress up for our field trip. For example, when we visited the Seattle Aquarium, we all came to online class with our snorkeling gear.

Check out the CILC site here.

I will certainly continue with virtual field trips next school year, and our elementary team is already planning how to use this tool to bring the world into our classrooms.

Why is this idea important?

Virtual field trips offer students the ability to explore the world, make global connections, and learn from experts in their fields. The world becomes the classroom and the learning opportunities are endless!

What key tasks would need to be completed to get a prototype up and running?

A sharing tool or space where teachers can share the best virtual field trips with each other. Using a template and a rating scale, teachers could share the details of each trip and how it applies to teaching and learning.

How easy would it be to grow this idea across multiple schools or contexts?

The most challenging part of implementing virtual field trips is finding them. Once a sharing tool was established, it would be easy to implement. There are many high quality options which range from free to around $150. They used to require expensive video conferencing systems, but now most are also available on Zoom! This week my students participated in a free virtual field trip to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. They learned how to critically analyze artwork, and then partnered with an artist to create found object art. It wan incredible experience and collaboration!

What might be the tangible outcome/s of your idea?

Increased engagement, inquiry, and wonder
Deeper learning and understanding
Increased connection to our global community
An increase in understanding of environmental and global challenges
Inspiration: For example, after our virtual field trip to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, my students were inspired to create their own found object artwork
An increase in celebration of culture as students connect with educational programs from around the world

Thank you to Amanda for sharing this idea! Keep an eye out for other ISS Challenges winners, plus continue to share your own school initiatives and inspiration with #ISSedu.