OTAN News
Virtual Field Trips Bring the World to Your Classroom
OTAN has recently posted several news items regarding virtual reality to explore the world. Here is another great resource that you can start using in your classroom today!
Through partnerships with MIT, NASA, the Australian Center for Astrobiology, and others, Arizona State University has created a series of virtual field trips (VFTs) from all over the globe. VFTs are topic-based interactive and educationally rich experiences captured during real expeditions with scientists doing current research. Some are built with adaptive feedback and adaptive pathways. (When you are on the Virtual Field Trips website, look for the designated icons). This adaptivity allows for non-linear experiences with varying pathways, as well as individual feedback, that is tailored to the users’ input and responses. These VFTs are being used in high school and college classrooms to supplement a wide variety of topics, and ASU is actively in development with partners with new VFTs continually coming online.
These virtual field trips can be easily navigated on a computer and they are complete with 360 degree images, photos, videos, and other navigation aids. Each field trip offers a unique experience from a Grand Canyon Tour to Ancient Records of Life on Earth. There are also many VFTs that can be experienced with Google Cardboard/Heads Up Display. Even if you don’t use them in your classroom, they are fun and informative for anyone to experience. Check out the VFT Labs demo Youtube video and then take a trip to Karijini Gorge in Australia!
If you would like OTAN to provide an introduction to virtual reality in the classroom, please contact us at support@otan.us or call us at 916-228-2580!
Website: Virtual Field Trips developed by Arizona State University
Article: University-Created Virtual Field Trips Deliver Interactive Exploration for Free
OTAN News Item: Using Virtual Reality to Explore the World (and Beyond)
OTAN News Item: Four Ways Augmented and Virtual Reality Can Transform Your Lesson Plan
OTAN News Item: Will Virtual Reality Drive Deeper Learning?