This week, I witnessed something very cool -> Virtual Field Trips Powered By Microsoft Canada. I went to the Toronto Zoo and watched students from B.C. get a real time behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo’s Great Lakes Program. This takes classroom learning to a digital level…
Virtual Field Trips Powered By Microsoft Canada
To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, Microsoft Canada is partnering with heritage sites and points of interest including the Toronto Zoo to give Canadian students (grades K-12) the opportunity to learn more about their country – without leaving their classroom – via Skype virtual field trips. As part of the Explore Teach Build program this takes learning beyond the classroom; visiting national heritage sites and engaging with site tour guide’s in real-time through Skype Virtual Field Trips.
Pictured above: Janet Kennedy (President of Microsoft Canada) and Robin Hale (Chief Operating Officer at the Toronto Zoo) at the virtual visit.
Imagine a connecting Canadian sites with Canadians students – despite more than 4,000 kilometers of geographical distance between them.
The virtual field trip was easy, engaging, and educational. The students sat quietly while material was presented. They then had the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in real time. It was a live learning adventure.
I find my kids (like all kids these days) very in tune with digital education and learning beyond the classroom. The modern student is well versed in smart boards and the internet. They connect differently with digital learning than with black board learning (not to say black board learning is obsolete. It is still very much needed in today’s classrooms. But there is room for more than one tool for presenting educational opportunities. And educators are harnessing all the things to engage students today).
It’s interesting to see the Microsoft Canada tools we use in everyday, adult, work environments have a place in the classroom. Skype is a very dynamic tool. Celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation is the perfect platform to harness the power of Skype and connect classes with favourite Canadian heritage sites and/or moments in Canadian history.
Related: students can work independently or in teams to build their favourite historical sites in Minecraft: Education Edition -> free trial available.
Imagine how technology can take students places where school buses can’t…
Disclosure: This post is powered by Microsoft Canada.
If they can’t go out on a real field trip, this is definitely the next best thing. I am sure my kids would love this.
That looks like a lot of fun to do. You can learn about other cultures at least a little by skyping field trip’s. Its really good idea!.
What a neat concept! I would have LOVED this as a kid, for sure! I like that they can learn remotely like this.
What a great idea. This is a great way for kids to experience things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.
My kids would love love the Minecraft Education Edition. That is all they all talk about! Sounds really cool!
A 3rd grade class in my kids’ school just started doing this! I think it is just awesome!
Now if this is not the coolest thing! I love the concept and think it could be such a classroom asset!
With so many programs being cut in schools, this is a great idea. I would love to take a virtual trip to British Columbia!!
I’ve never heard of a virtual field trip before. It would certainly save money as compared to an actual field trip.
I can’t imagine how neat this is. We always went on field trips when we were kids but how many more places we could have seen virutally. I think this is a really nice idea and I didn’t even know it existed. Thank you for sharing the information.
A virtual field trip sounds amazing. It would be fun and educational at the same time. I would love to give it a try.
I think a virtual field trip is a fantastic way for kids to see the world. It will allow them to explore places they would never be able to go to.
I would have loved a virtual field trip when I was a kid. I think it is a great tool for the classroom. Kids always learn more when they are having fun.