Virtual Field Trips and Guest Speakers – Thank you COVID

By. Craig Perrier

I always admire teachers who take the extra time to set up a field trip or connect with guest speakers to come to their classroom.  In addition to the effort teachers take to make these opportunities happen – school regulations, transportation, parental permission etc. – their belief in the value of learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom is certainly praiseworthy. Unfortunately, COVID -19 has largely eliminated plans for field trips and guest speakers.

The good news is that providing students opportunities to take field trips and engage with guest speakers is still possible with technology.  I had the opportunity to see many of our teachers transition to virtual field trips and digital guest speakers with huge success.  Moreover, making the shift from in-person to digital experiences is further facilitated by the revisions organizations have been taking to interact better with schools.  For example, check out Google’s Art and Culture, National Geographic’s 360 Videos,  and History View for a huge collection of virtual field trips.  In addition, Digital Promise has this easy to use virtual guest speaker preparation guide for your use.

Of course, having the right hardware and software is essential for your students’ virtual experiences.  Nothing would be worse than having a frozen screen, connectivity issues, or audio/visual challenges during class. Thankfully, the Educator Marketplace has multiple deals for your digital needs:

·         Geekbuying: Specializes in multi-category products, including: Smartphone, tablet, TV box, consumer electronics, car and computer accessories, action cameras, apple & Samsung accessories, RC hobbies & Toys, Virtual Reality, wearable devices, security system and smart home gadgets.

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·         Samsung: Save up to 30% on smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other purchases. 

Don’t let COVID-19 limit authentic learning opportunities.  In fact, the pandemic has motivated teachers to take the steps to elevate student learning through virtual possibilities.  As this school year starts, expand student learning in spite of COVID – 19. Your students will thank you!