WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation
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Sheila Bishop (not verified)
Posted on 3/30/2008 10:08pm

Virtual field trips

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I am a student teacher working on a unit I designed named appropiately; "Animal Welfare: A study of the Canine". I am thrilled to have access to such a high caliber adventure such as 'Go North'. I'm looking forward to involving my students initially on how the canine has helped humans evolve and presently how they are continuing to help us in so many new and inovative ways - I'm sure they'll enjoy the trip as much I will. Thanks! Sheila Bishop- Central Valley, CA

Bonnie Bracey Sutton (not verified)
Posted on 6/26/2006 10:38pm

My friend Sara Armstong and

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My friend Sara Armstong and her husband actually went to Alaska and tell stories about the Iditarod. I love this project . This tool, this way of shrinking the world for understanding. Thank you for the link to a project that can be used by teachers anywhere..
Dr. Bruce Spitzer (not verified)
Posted on 3/30/2006 1:29pm

Virtual field trips are

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Virtual field trips are excellent tools! Broadband/high speed access coupled with an in-room computer and projecter present a myriad of opportunities for teachers whose budgets are strapped and field trips cancelled. I'd like to comment upon Ms. Israel's remarks of March 16, though. It should not be left to the "computer teacher" to utilize computing technology (and virtual field trips, in this case) in the classroom. As a teacher-educator whose work focuses on technology, I often tell my teacher candidates that "computer teachers teaching computers is akin to pencil teachers teaching pencils". There must be a paradigm shift away from one teacher in the building responsible for teaching 'the computer' as a class to a new way of thinking in which all teachers in the building are using computers and related technologies as tools for accomplishing marvelous things in classrooms. A computer is simply a tool, just as a pencil is a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. In this case, the GoNorth! curriculum can (and should) be used across every subject area from math and science to language arts and social studies. It just takes some imagination and creative thinking.
Diane Demée-Benoit (not verified)
Posted on 3/29/2006 12:58am

Dr. Aaron Doering,

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Dr. Aaron Doering, Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota, is a member of the GoNorth! Team. He is doing groundbreaking research on how these kinds of "exploration-based" experiences engage and challenge learners. Aaron calls this approach "adventure learning," and he's published a number of papers on the subject. You can find his papers on the GoNorth! web site, or email Aaron at adoering@umn.edu In my mind, the primary features of good projects and programs are that they are related to standards and have multiple forms of assessment throughout the project. While there is a paucity of research on how project-based learning leads to higher student achievement, there are a few studies within the environmental education community that may be of interest: The North American Association for Environmental Education has a number of publications. The State Education and Environment Roundtable web site lists several reports. Dr. Sylvia Chard's web site on project-based learning has foundational materials and information: Let us know if you know of other research or reports.
Fred Ankersen (not verified)
Posted on 3/23/2006 6:44pm

This reminds me of the

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This reminds me of the series ofQuests that ClassroomConnect published a few years ago. These are marvelous ways to involve students in authentic learning.
Milton Chen, GLEF (not verified)
Posted on 3/21/2006 2:19am

Nice photos and a great

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Nice photos and a great website. Are there some outcomes of this kind of virtual field trip that have been reported?
Barrie Jo Price (not verified)
Posted on 3/16/2006 11:15pm

This message is somewhat

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This message is somewhat related to this article, I guess. I was impressed with the use of technology to expand the impact of this event. I connected it in my mind with a project we are planning for next year. We will connect 3 schools (Italy, USA - Alabama, and Surabaya) for an asynchronous environmental awareness summmit that concludes with a synchronous event in which all 3 schools participate. We want to feature online resources ('speakers', papers, etc) and then use MOODLE for the actual summit. Anyone done this and have tips for us?
Karen Israel (not verified)
Posted on 3/16/2006 4:48pm

Greetings! It is great to

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Greetings! It is great to see such innovative curriculum being developed. If I taught computers, I would definitely use this very innovative curriculum of exploring the artic by dogsled. I look forward to hearing from you about more interesting ideas! And the dogs are verycute!!!! Karen Israel M.Ed. Computer Science
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