An Introduction to Electronic Field Trips
(for teachers new to the concept)
Written by Scott Coletti, Middle School teacher
Crittenden Middle School, Mtn.View, CA.
Please send suggestions or comments to scolett@quest.arc.nasa.gov
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
When asked what I could contribute to the Live From field trips, I immediately thought of
the first-time teachers struggling, as I had, to integrate cyberspace into their classroom
environments. My goal here is to produce a document that will assist beginners in
handling their first electronic field trip.
WHO? - HELLO, BEGINNERS!
This document is designed for the first-timer, beginner, newbie, never-been-there- nor-
done-that participant of an electronic field trip. You are involved in education, down on the
ground, in the classroom, whether as a student, parent, teacher, community and/or
business volunteer. I speak to educators for mechanical convenience in the production of
this document, but everyone is encouraged to come along on a trip of discovery making
learning powerful and alive.
PREREQUISITES
This document will provide hands-on activities and resources that the
beginner can order or access right away. The prescribed actions assume
ready and easy access to the Internet.
People not yet using the Internet can take advantage, now, of this type of educational
opportunity. This can be accomplished with ready and easy access to the following
resources: phone, VCR, TV, Fax, snail mail and/or Fed X-type carriers.
Of course, a functional and practical understanding of your particular technology tool set is
needed. Taking on a new educational technology is not the occasion to be learning many
new skills at the same time, unless, of course, you do not also have a life.
PERSONAL ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION AS A WAY OF
LIFE
Institutions rhetorically endorse technology in education. But at this time, down in the
classroom, the teacher is getting little support. At this point in time most of what I do is
done on my own time. The odd stipend finds its way to my checkbook, but that is an
exception. To wit, the activity of running an electronic field trip in the classroom is part of
a teachers personal adoption of technology in education, a fact of life that defines you as an
innovator in your school, district, region, state or country.
| Introduction
| Electronic Field Trips a Working Definition
| Time Management
| In Class Techniques|
| Theoretical Underpinnings
| Introduction to Imaging|
|Email Tools
|Reading List
| The Fundamental Tools |
| CU-Seeme & Web Chat Resources
| Return to HST |
