Download TEDU 591 Virtual Field Trip assignment

Virtual Field Trip
Discuss the information regarding virtual field trips from the article, “Field-Tripping Goes Virtual”, then surf
the net and select a virtual field trip that supports the social studies curriculum to tour. After you have gone on
your virtual field trip, complete the following information page. Be mindful to save this document onto the
desktop according to the title of your site first. Upon completion, post this completed document to the
appropriate thread in Blackboard.
1. Title, website address, and grade level of your virtual field trip.
a. Title- Civil War 360: Civil War Trust
*Saving Americas Civil War Battlefields*
b. Website Address- http://virtual-tour.civilwar.org/gettysburg.html?s=pano69
c. Grade Level= 5th grade
2. General summary of what the site entails.
This site talks about the Civil War, and it is absolutely incredible. It starts out with you looking at a map
that shows which states were a part of the Union, and what states were included in the Confederacy. It has 52
different pages that you go through about 52 different places that were significant in the Civil War such as
Gettysburg, Orchard Knob, and even Spangler’s Spring. Each page states the name of the place it will be
focusing on, and explains why that certain place is important. There are many people who are talked about, and
there are real live pictures of certain monuments and other figures that explain the Civil War. Some of these
people include General Hancock and General Howard. There are many other people you can learn about such
as people who traveled with the armies to entertain them. The site shows how the Civil War decided what kind
of nation we would be. It talks about what started the Civil War, and how it began in Fort Sumter. It shows the
different battles, who won them, and different facts about those places. For example, you can visit Gettysburg,
and learn about the Union Generals Buford, and Reynolds. It goes into details about their fight in Gettysburg,
and all they did for the Union during that time. You can see pictures of their monuments, and even watch
videos about them, and the fight as well.
3.
What VA Standards of Learning AND NCSS standards are met in this virtual field trip?
The VA standards of learning that can be used with this virtual field trip would have to be Social Studies
SOL USI.9 which is a fifth grade SOL. This SOL specifically talks about the Civil War. Another SOL that could be
used with this virtual field trip would have to be Social Studies SOL VS.7 which is taught in 4th grade. They can
talk about the different places in Virginia that took place in the war. One NCSS standard that stood out to me
for this virtual field trip would have to be the NCSS standard B.2. This standard focuses on Time, Continuity,
and Change. This standard will allow the student to understand the study of time, continuity, and change and
how historians study the past will allow the learners to understand their historical roots and to locate
themselves in time. It will also allow them to think about how they can draw on knowledge of history to make
informed choices and decisions in the present. Another standard that stood out to me would have to be NCSS
standard B.1 which is History. This will show how historians study the past allows learners to understand their
place in time and location. The knowledge base of historical content drawn from United States and world
history provides the basis from which learners develop historical understanding and competence in ways of
historical thinking. It allows our students to use their knowledge and resources to find information to create
firm arguments. These understandings are drawn from the record of human aspirations, strivings,
accomplishments, and failures in at least five spheres of human activity: the social, political,
scientific/technological, economic, and cultural (philosophical/religious/aesthetic). This standard will allow
our student to see what used to be and what is, and draw conclusions/compare each.
4.
How would you rate this site/trip; okay, good, or super? Explain your rating.
I would rate this site/trip super. It is so incredibly fun, and really gets the students involved. You are
able to watch videos of the people who actually work there. This allows you to be able to see, and hear
someone who can explain to you why that certain place was so significant. There are multiple videos on each
page, for each different place. I would also rate this site super because they have actual real life pictures of
significant monuments, houses, or buildings. This was important to me because it makes it more real for the
students instead of them seeing a drawing of what it was expected to look like. They can see that this place still
exists, and was super important during the war. I really liked that on each page, you can pick on tabs that are lit
up, and they are either blue, or red. So if you pick on a tab that is red, you know you will be learning about the
Confederacy, and if you pick the blue, you are learning about the Union. Another reason I would rate this site
as super is because there is an information bar on the side of each page you visit. It gives the overall knowledge
of what happened in that particular area before watching the videos and reading the tabs you click on. Also,
you can figure out where you are on the map. Each page you visit shows you when that place was affected
during the Civil War, and you can see how far you have gone on the journey, and how far you have left to go.
This allows you to keep track of where you are during the war so you can see what happened along the way in
places that were significant, and places that weren’t as important. Last but not least, I like that there is a
compass in the top right corner of the screen. It can show the direction of which the war went, and it can also
teach them about direction. Also, on each page, it has a tab you can click that will send you to the next place
you will visit. When you hover the tab, it shows you how many miles away they walked. It really puts into
perspective how far they went throughout the war. Not all people know how compasses work, so they can see
how it operates.
5.
What was the best component/experience of the site/trip? Explain your response.
My favorite experience on this field trip would have to be the pictures and videos. Seeing the pictures,
and the descriptions of those pictures really put into perspective what actually happened in these area, and what
we lost. Due to the pictures and videos, I learned so much more than I have before in any other social studies
class about the Civil War. They made me feel as if I was actually standing in front of the building, monument,
or even the cornfield. I was able to see, and listen to what was being taught to me. I have a hard time just
listening, so being able to put a face to that general’s name really helped me remember who was who, and what
they did. The second component I was really fond over during this field trip would have to be that each page’s
label is either red or blue. This helped me know which side one that battle. Even if we know the Union won a
lot, it was still nice to know that particular place was won by that side.
6.
What was the weakest component of the site/trip? Explain your response.
The one part I did not like about this trip was that it mostly talked about the Union. I know that the
Union won, but our kids still need to see the Confederate aspect of the war. There were about 4 or 5 pages out
of the 52 that were dedicated to the Confederacy. I believe that the kids need to learn about how the
Confederacy prepared for their battles, and what caused them to lose. Both sides of this war are important. Not
just the side that won. Plus, if you are showing kids this below the Mason Dixon Line, I know they will want to
read more about the Confederate Army’s hardships, and victories. I do not believe they would be as interested
if it was mostly about the Union as it is now. Other than that, the website is amazing, and if I teach fifth grade
like I hope to, I will most definitely use this virtual field trip in my classroom.
7.
Discuss at least two ways you could use this virtual field trip in your future classroom.
One way I could use this virtual field trip is by having a checklist of the different places that are
mentioned on the field trip, and have the kids sign up to do a presentation on one of those places. They could
make a diorama of what happened there and explain the history behind it. They could make a presentation,
poster board, mobile, or anything creative to present to their classmates about what happened there during the
Civil War. Another activity I could tie in with the website and my class is something I recently saw in my
practicum placement that I LOVED!!!!! This website talks about so many different people throughout the war.
They talk about people on both sides such as Generals, soldiers, entertainers, etc. I would allow them to sign up
for a person to do their report on, and we would have an expo. They would have to dress up like that person,
and make a poster that says press me. Students from other classes and grades would come to our expo, and go
up to each student and press their “press me” button. Once pressed, the student would introduce themselves,
and tell their audience all about themselves. Who they were, where they were born, what side of the war they
were affiliated with, and any important facts about them. The kids at my school did it for black history month,
but I think this would be an interesting way to learn about the different people in the Civil War. Not to mention
the kids loved doing the assignment, and the other students loved listening to them explain all about their
person’s lives.