Virtual Field Trips
A videoconference field trip or program gives you and your students an opportunity to visit a place you might not be able to otherwise, such as zoos, museums, NASA, U.S. Congress and more. Videoconferences use an ISDN or IP connection, a camera, codec, and TV to connect to another site
Getting Started
New to video conferencing? Here's how you can get started!
- To get started, first find out if you have two way interactive capability.
- Getting ready to your first field trip? Check out a Getting Started Guide.
- Then find a program using a Field Trip Database.
- To schedule, check on scheduling your distance learning room or equipment. Contact your local technology coordinator. Then schedule the content provider. You can search a Content Provider Database for contact information, or when you've found a program in the Field Trip Database, you'll find scheduling information on that page.
- After the program, please evaluate the program. Hosted by Macomb ISD.
Content Provider Lists
- CESA 10 Distance Learning Sites
- Knowledge Network Explorer - Videoconference Adventures: Connect to the yellow pages of videoconferencing.
- Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration IN Content Providers
- College Fair List: Connect to college to learn about admission and more
- Educational Enterprise Zone Some new sites mostly in the New York area.
- NASSAU BOCES Distance Education Services including a large PDF of programs
- North Central Ohio Content Provider list
- Partners in Distance Learning
- SBC Videoconferencing Adventures
- South Wisconsin Instructional Network
- Wisconsin Resources for Educational Partnerships WI Content Providers
Contact
We invite you to share your thoughts and questions on field trips on the GSDLN Listserve
Training Handouts
- Search Help Page [PDF] format]
- Two page selected list of field trips. Word or PDF. Use this handout developed by "TWICE" in Michigan, to pique the interest of your teachers.
Can't find a field trip? Try a Speaker's Bureau!
- National Speakers Bureau
- NSHEC Expert Professor Series
- University of Illinois Speakers Bureau
- Or search Google or your favorite search engine for "speakers bureau" and your topic.
Want to connect outside the U.S.?
- Find international programs in the Field Trip Database.
- Search the SBC Videoconference Directory
- Search the ViDeNet Directory for H.323 and Internet2 sites.