Virtual Field Trips - Connected Classrooms

Connected Classrooms on Google+ is an extremely useful community. Google for Education has made it possible for students to travel to far away places for Virtual Field Trips. 

Last week my students had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii all while seated at their desks. We watched in real time as an elementary class travelled to an active volcano site. The field trip was even more unique as this particular class was attempting to use Google Glass. My students were able to see a volcano from an expert, teacher and students perspective as all three were wearing Google Glass. We also had an opportunity to learn a traditional song and hear about the spiritual and cultural reference to volcanoes in Hawaii. 

Other virtual field trips we've viewed this year: 

• Minnesota Zoo - Farm Babies (students had the opportunity to meet spring farm babies which tied nicely into our theme at the moment. Animals we viewed: duck and chick that were born just a few short hours prior to the field trip, sheep and calf). 
• Snake Adaptations - Students viewed a python as it ate a rat. The rat was not alive therefore it did not scare the kids. Cameron Young delivered a fascinating presentation where he explained the adaptations of snakes and how it is possible for a snake to eat prey that is significantly larger than itself. Cameron lives in Colorado and constantly posts pictures and videos of snake hunts. He has a passion for caring and protecting snakes and explains the information in a unique manner. 
• Polar Bear & Google Map Expedition - we travelled through the Tundra of Churchill, Manitoba as members of google recorded Polar Bears in their natural habitat. The most unique aspect of this field trip was watching how google create their virtual maps as well as viewing the Tundra Buggy. 

I have also used Connected Education for personal virtual field trips. I thoroughly enjoy learning about history of the world, specifically Word War I and II and the Holocaust. A few weeks ago I had an opportunity to view two virtual field trips provided by the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. During the field trips, high school, college and university students, as well as adults like myself had the pleasure of listening to two Holocaust survivors talk about their experiences.