Teachers’ Perception of Virtual Field Trips: Exploring the Factors Teachers Consider When Deciding to Use a Virtual Field Trip

  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
  • Authentic learning experiences are a type of teaching tool that emphasizes student
    engagement and encourages students to make meaningful connections between the concept and
    the real-world (Mims, 2003). This approach has experienced some success in improving student
    achievement and enjoyment (Chen & Huang, 2012). Programs such as virtual field trips have the
    potential to facilitate the delivery of authentic learning experience. However, in order for
    teachers to implement virtual field trips, certain factors must be in place. This research explores
    the factors teachers consider when deciding whether or not to use a virtual field trip program.
    Using purposeful sampling of teachers in the Vancouver and Coquitlam district who have used
    an authentic learning experience before, specifically the Mobile Dairy Classroom Experience
    outreach program, two teachers were interviewed. Teachers mentioned that they did not think all
    the technologies required to use virtual field trips were available to them, and that there may not
    be sufficient funding to purchase additional technology. Teachers also considered the cost to
    purchasing the program, if the program relates to the curriculum and is on a desirable topic,
    teaches student soft skills such as problem solving, and if they have the necessary classroom time
    to use the program.

  • Date created
    2020-08-24
  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Type of Item
    Research Material
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-9v6w-2j58
  • License
    Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International