In today’s technological world,
technology is becoming exponentially more of an integral part of our daily
lives. Technology is all around us, and it can be used as a great aid in the
classroom setting, especially in terms of distance learning. With use of webcam
communication and video conferencing, organizations such as the New York State
Historical Association and numerous others are able to provide schools with
virtual field trips to places all over the globe. These virtual field trips
often provide students with the ability to video conference with an expert in
the field to interact with the program and ask any questions they have. Through
use of virtual field trips, financial and logistical burdens are largely eliminated.
Buses need not be reserved, special lunch orders need not be ordered, parent
volunteers and chaperones need not attend, and the field trip begins instantly.
There is no commute time wasted.
One particular virtual tour of interest especially
for suburban or urban schools may be “A Visit to the Children’s Barnyard”
provided by the New York State Historical Association in partnership with the
Farmer’s Museum. This virtual tour is geared towards grades K-4 with a class
size of about 25. The program lasts 45 minutes and costs $100 to register. Students
join the farmers via webcam as the farmers care for newborn farm animals. The
farmers discuss and show the class what each of the baby animals will
eventually provide for the farmer and her family. The program guarantees to
show a minimum of two baby animals live on camera.
This virtual tour provides a great opportunity for
students to experience and interact with a live farmer, on a farm, and observe
farm life and the care taken for farm animals as well as their behaviors. This
experience would be especially rewarding for those students in urban areas
where farm life and barnyard animals may be especially foreign to their
everyday life.
Click on the "Request This Program Now" link to create an account and register HERE.
Click on the "Request This Program Now" link to create an account and register HERE.
