Virtual Field Trips: Advantages and Disadvantages for Educators and Recommendation for Professional Development

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief history of videoconferencing when used as virtual field trips in educational settings and to discuss some of the various aspects in which they can be implemented. In addition, this chapter focuses on the unique benefits to students and teachers noted in the literature that videoconferencing field trips can bring to the learning community and some of the challenges that many educators, eager to use this technology, have experienced. Speculation as to what the future will hold for virtual field trips and where the technology will possibly take us is also discussed.