Imagine taking your class to the the Philadelphia Museum of Art to speak with an expert on Medieval Armor, chatting with zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo for an hour talk watching the gorillas, or visiting with a holocaust survivor at the Museum or Tolerance. All these things are possible without ever leaving the district, no buses, no planes, no arranging for chaperones, and no getting parent signatures. All because each of these institutions offers virtual fieldtrips via modern telecommunications.

Technology has progressed to the point where people all over the world can communicate with two way video affordably and with good picture quality and sound. This has opened the door for major institutions of learning to begin reaching out to students around the globe with programs and exploration experiences. The K-12 schools of West Virginia are beginning to acquire the technologies necessary to interact and participate in hundreds of events geared specifically to meet national educational standards and offered by some of the most respected centers of learning in the country.

Finding and participating in a virtual fieldtrip can be difficult. There is no clear blueprint for finding the "right" fieldtrip and there are technical issues that can seem challenging. Through the June Harless Center for Rural Education and office of Instructional Television and Video Services, Marshall University is committed to helping the K-12 schools in the region and around the state take advantage of the resources available.

MU offers first Virtual Fieldtrip to 4th graders!

More about the Technology

Steps to Videoconferencing:

1.) Evaluating your Technology

To participate in a VFT you need the correct technology. Videoconferencing is the most common VFT format and requires that you have a video connection at your school. Many school in West Virginia now have an ATM video classroom through the telephone company. This classroom is linked to the state's wide area network. By itself this classroom will not connect out of the state but can connect to Marshall or another institution like WVNet who can "dial up" the VFT provider. Check at your school to see if you have a distance learning classroom. Once you have discerned that you have a classroom send an email to David Johnson at johnsondw@marshall.edu and we'll send you the information you need to evaluate your options.

2.) Finding a Virtual Fieldtrip

There are many providers of Virtual Fieldtrips to choose from. You can scan the through the links below to find institutions with fieldtrip programs. If you don't find what you need, don't give up! many institutions will create special trips for you. Also many places have the technology but aren't using it. You can also try contacting an institution directly they may be able to work something out for you. 

And don't forget Marshall! We have skilled faculty and staff that would love to share their expertise with the youth of West Virginia. Contact Stan Maynard at the June Harless for Rural Education for more information.

Videoconferencing Adventures

Vision Athena

PictureTel Partners in Distance Learning

K-12 Videoconferencing Listserv

The remc11 Short List

3.) Scheduling a Virtual Fieldtrip

Contact Marshall University's ITVS Department for information about how we can help your school participate in a Virtual Fieldtrip.  Contact Crystal Stewart at (304) 696-3150 or stewar14@marshall.edu. Contact us FIRST! we will provide you with guides for contacting the providers.