Best field trip ever!

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A couple weeks ago, I took my students on a virtual field trip and it was the highlight of my school year!

Last fall, I attended a training for Google Expeditions, and promptly signed up to check out a classroom set for a week in March. As the time got closer for the experience with my students, I became nervous. The morning of the first day of lessons, I was very hesitant. I even contemplated ditching this idea and doing something completely different as I just wasn't sure how the lesson was going to play out.

I arrived at school early, pulled everything out and started preparing for the lessons. I had visited with the classroom teachers to find out what students were studying in social studies and science, so the experiences could relate to their classroom learning. As I started looking at the virtual field trips, I had a feeling this was going to be a lesson the students would remember for a long time.

The first class came in, and after talking about virtual reality and watching a short video, we started on our field of New York City. The oohs and aahs from the students, their reactions, and their comments were absolutely priceless. Teachers even joined in the fun and enjoyed the experience. Over the course of the week, students went on field trips that included the San Diego Zoo, outer space, The American Museum of Natural History, the Crow Fair Pow Wow in Montana, the Grand Canyon, sharks, and the Statue of Liberty.

Our time together wasn't nearly long enough. But the students did get a taste of virtual reality along with the wonder and excitement of a virtual field trip. The students and adults who went on the field trips learned about the places we visited.  As the facilitator and librarian who was hesitant to try this, I benefited greatly from this experience. I learned that jumping in and trying something new is definitely worth it. The students deserve a teacher who is willing to take a risk, even though it may feel uncomfortable.

Thank goodness I didn't let my fears get the best of me. We all would have missed out on a fabulous virtual reality experience.
I have been in the field of education since 1993, when I first started as a middle school home economics teacher. I spent three years as a classroom teacher, then decided to pursue my library credential. I spent 13 years as a school librarian. Looking for a new challenge, I earned my master's degree and principal credential. I am currently an elementary principal, starting year two.

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