What is a Virtual Field Trip? A Teacher’s Guide to Digital Exploration

Virtual field trips are quickly becoming a way of transforming education in classrooms by breaking down the walls of traditional learning. They allow teachers to bring their students into a wide assortment of diverse subjects using technology that enhances the experience but does not distract. 

Let’s take a closer look at what they are, why they’re growing in popularity, and how teachers can try out low-tech virtual field trips before investing in full VR headsets.

Virtual Field Trips for Kids and Teenagers

Virtual field trips are computer-simulated tours that allow students to experience sites which they can’t physically access. Depending on the specific VR app, the experience can be strictly controlled or students can be allowed to walk freely, such as exploring Louvre’s galleries.

Unlike traditional media used in education, such as documentaries, virtual field trips allow for a greater deal of autonomy while also providing a more engaging experience. Some apps allow students to walk through the Amazon rainforest or even stand on the surface of the Moon, while others make it possible to walk around the scene, explore vast craters and volcanoes up close, or visit sacred temples.

How Are Virtual Field Trips Helpful in Education

One of the main benefits of virtual field trips for schools and other educational institutions is the fact that it can be adapted to any age group or subject, while still providing excellent opportunities for curious minds to explore the different settings in an educational context.

Younger children might learn more from being provided short and visually engaging trips, while middle schoolers would benefit from receiving more context by visiting historical sites and then being quizzed afterwards. High schoolers, on the other hand, can take even deeper dives on their field trips, trying out virtual labs where they can explore chemistry reactions or interact with acids in a safe environment.

Not only will this provide engaging educational content for the classroom, but also spark curiosity and provide great opportunities for quizzes and discussions afterwards. After all, it’s difficult for a 2D textbook picture to compare with a 360° view where students feel as if they are climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Lastly, virtual field trips are also an affordable solution that requires a substantially smaller budget, as opposed to visiting the Smithsonian or taking a week-long trip to Machu Picchu. This makes them more accessible, while also allowing for greater variety, even making it possible to visit different corners of the earth during the same day.

How to Create a Virtual Field Trip

The best news is that teachers can even start incorporating virtual field trips into their classrooms without the use of VR headsets or a complex process. While it might not provide the full immersive experience, it can be a great way to test the waters and see how the students respond. Here are a few different ideas to consider:

1. YouTube 360° videos are a goldmine for educational content. Try searching for your specific topic and add a virtual tour to the end of your query. Then, play it on your projector and let students "look around" with their mice or trackpads.
2. Google Earth has many interesting features to consider as well. Using their Voyager or Maps Platform services, you can easily invite students on pre-made tours of landmarks, ecosystems, and even Mars.

Level up your virtual field trips with VR

Should you already have VR headsets, such as VR education kit headsets, or are just considering buying them, the number of virtual field trip apps is growing every day, encompassing majority of subjects including arts, astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, geography, history, maths, language, physics, technology and many more. These apps make it possible for students to walk through an environment with a fully immersive 360° experience, often being able to interact with their surroundings, learning in a natural way that helps them remember and engage like never before.