A Fieldtrip for Every Class!

April 27, 2008 by Malena Copeland

Videoconference fieldtrips

by Malena Copeland

One of the amazing things that will happen with some of the funds we receive from the Basic Skills Initiative is the purchase of a video-conferencing web camera. How is this going to improve basic skills? Well, the possibilities for these cameras are endless. But an immediate use for this camera is a videoconference fieldtrip.

The California State Parks Department has a free program available to teachers, which enables you to connect with enthusiastic and charismatic rangers at various State Parks across California. This program is amazing! It is as if you are really there. In some of the locations, there are several cameras so that you can see different locations within the park. You can actually show the students live video of a ranger at a State Park who will teach a variety of lessons on the State Parks. The ranger can also see all of the students, and can converse back and forth with everyone in the classroom reinforcing any number of skills from English and Science to History and Civics.

I got to see a demonstration of this program. Rangers from Anza Borrego Desert State Park and Crystal Cove State Park came to us live at the CEC in room A108. From Crystal Cove, we were shown fish and urchins from an underwater camera, pictures and video of shells and other sea life from the technical resources that the rangers had on hand, and of course the lovely view of the California Coastline. The ranger in the dessert showed us fossils and geological structures. She talked about weather patterns as well as the way teams of paleontologists find and care for the fossils, and how there are many volunteer opportunities to help with these efforts. We got to ask them questions, and they were able to answer us right there and then. They were funny, charming, and spoke very clearly.

The rangers will talk about any number of topics and can be prepped to cover vocabulary that you are teaching in your class, or even pose topics for essays. They will alter their lessons to fit the level of your class. The rangers are open to setting up communication in advance via email. You can even send a list of questions for the rangers ahead of time so that they can be well prepared to discuss specific topics with your class.

Here is a list of possible parks to visit with some of the themes they cover:
(for more details as well as lesson plans and activities)

Government at The State Capitol
Gold Rush
Tide Pools at Crystal Cove
Travel Brochures
Paleontology at Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Special Events

These “fieldtrips” typically last 45 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. The equipment is simple to use and takes a very minimal amount of training to figure out.
The California State Parks Department engages in these educational programs in order to educate the populous about ways in which they can learn about conservation and nature. Hopefully this will promote our students to actually visit some of these parks.

There are other organizations who offer similar virtual fieldtrips. A list of these can be found by clicking here.

Posted in A Fieldtrip for Every Class! | 10 Comments

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10 Responses to “A Fieldtrip for Every Class!”

on 01 May 2008 at 5:12 pm1 Karen Dennis

I am very excited about the new video camera we ordered that will enable us to have “live” sessions with a CA State Park Ranger while we are in the classroom. Susan Gaer brought back this resource from the CUE conference.

Any topic that Malena listed in her blog could be used, but I think the Gold Rush or a CA Missions presentation would be fascinating as a followup reading/writing activity. Students could read about the topic, listen to others on the topic, engage in conversation on the topic, write, and then participate in a “live” presentation with a Park Ranger.

The instructor sets up the field trip by going over special vocabulary being taught with the Ranger, who will incorporate suggestions into the interactive presentation of about 45 minutes. Students can ask questions and immediately get answers.

Stay turned to the blog. When the camera is in and directions on how to access the Park Ranger set up, we will let everyone know.

I just printed out the videoconference suggestions that Malena put on the blog. I will have several hard copies put into the Resource Center so everyone can preview the 27-page list in entirety. Thank you, Malena. Great source.
on 09 May 2008 at 1:37 pm2 Mary Polychrome

What a great idea!! I have seen how hesitant some students are when you suggest they go to visit local park or recreation sites. I don’t blame them. I always feel insecure and hesitant when I visit other cities myself. It would be a great idea to do a videoconference visit to an Orange County site which may help a student get a feel for a site in preparation for an actual visit. Mission San Juan Capistrano, Bowers museum, Dinosaurs at Los Coyotes Park, or the Interpretive center at Newport Back Bay, all would make an interesting visit which would teach the students about places they could actually go to in their free time. Mary Polychrome
on 12 May 2008 at 3:17 pm3 Henry Kim

Wow, this awesome! Talk about hands-on learning, without getting your hands dirty or getting sweaty from the heat. I look forward to seeing the next session. the government session is great for high school students studying US government.

I know others talked about this, but the idea of one class perhaps in another country or state speaking to another class at a different site would greatly enhance pen pal activities. As someone said the possibilites are endless.

Thanks to our visionary people who seek out resources that can benefit many programs and levels.
on 14 May 2008 at 7:08 am4 Linda Perry

Wow! I had no idea this technology was available. What a wonderful advance to the education system. This is very exciting!
on 15 May 2008 at 11:22 am5 Roy Hansen

Sounds like a great idea with unlimited possibilities. Technology is great and should be embraced. There is so much to learn and this sounds like a very effective way of learning. I’m glad it is interactive and questions can be asked and answered in real time. I can’t wait to see it iin use.
on 15 May 2008 at 7:36 pm6 colleen lehman

I agree with you Roy. Technology needs to be embraced. So many of our students are afraid of technology. This opens up a whole new world to some students. Many of my students went straight from their town to Santa Ana. When I ask them if they have been to the Grand Canyon or Yosemite they don’t know what I am talking about. This would be wonderful for them!!
on 18 May 2008 at 9:40 pm7 Susan McClellan

You know, I was skeptical when I read the words, ” videoconference fieldtrip”. I was thinking that it just wouldn’t be the same as the real thing. After reading about it, I’m enthusiastic. It sounds like somethng that would take the important step of taking the students “outside” the classroom.

As Karen suggested, a videoconference fieldtrip could be a great point of departure for reading and writing. So, now I’m wondering if the Getty Museum, LACMA, the Natural History Museum and other such venues can also do this type of program.
on 27 May 2008 at 1:19 pm8 Jayshree Lederman

A wonderful discovery! That all of our students have access to such technological marvels is awesome! When such a fieldtrip will happen, it will be so exciting to see the expression on the students’ faces and mine too! Learning will take place in a different context, new words, new environment and so much excitement!

Without going to the location, the feeling of being there will create emotions in the viewers never experienced before. I can’t pinpoint exactly how this will become a part of BSI, but learning takes place, learning takes place in a different context and from a new source.

I look forward to participating with my group in this new venture! Thanks for this Malena.
on 29 May 2008 at 1:54 pm9 Michele Volz

I’d love to have that made available to conversation classes!
WIth a little prep beforehand, students could get a great experience. I took my conversation class two weeks ago to the Peter and Mary Ruth Interpretive Center in Back Bay Newport Beach. The docent there spent an hour and a half showing us about the estuary and its wildlife and the students loved it-especially when they found out they could bring their kids again.
How about someone giving a presentation on videoconferencing for for flex so more teachers could know about it?
on 29 May 2008 at 8:08 pm10 Malena Copeland

Great idea. I will do one for the winter flex session. This will be available for all classes, so please try it out. I am so thrilled that you took your students to Back Bay. What a wonderful experience for them! Not only did they learn English, but also ecology, biology, and many other things. That field trip sounds fantastic. I hope it inspires others to follow in your footsteps.