VFT Guidelines

for Teachers

Before the trip:

1. Select desired field trip by contacting the Virtual Travel Agency or searching one of the recommended databases. TWICE and CILC have excellent databases and our consortium is a member entitling us to some discounts.
2. Complete the Virtual Field Trip Request Form, specifying a minimum of two dates and times.
3. Submit the VFT request at least 3 weeks prior to your desired trip.
4. If possible, visit the ITV lab where your field trip will be presented to familiarize yourself with the classroom. You may want to arrange a VFT Orientation presented by The Virtual Travel Agency. Participants can ask questions about the technology and familiarize themselves with the equipment, etiquette and being interactive.
5. Invite your principal and/or parents.
6. Prepare your students prior to the field trip.
   • Review any materials provided by the field trip site with your students in advance - help make the connections between classroom content and the field trip. Complete any activities and prepare some questions in advance.
   • Review behavior expectations (all regular classroom expectations apply).
   • Please review our ITV Etiquette section of the NMEC website.
   • For more tips, try these links:
     • http://www.swing.k12.wi.us/isdn/tips.htm
     • http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/twice/gettingstarted.html
     • http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/instruct.html
     • http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl/tips.ht

During the Trip

1. The same rules/etiquette apply as in the classroom with the addition of a "new rule": No sideline conversations or distractions! The microphones are very sensitive.
2. Remind your students that their conversations and comments can be heard by the field trip site (as well as by any classrooms that may be participating!).
3. Make sure that students (and teachers) keep papers and hands, etc. away from the microphones -although you cannot hear the "noise", others watching will get very distracting noises from the movement of hands, paper, and voices. Even whispers are very audible at the other sites. Frequently the remote site will ask participants to mute their microphones (may not be available in older ITV rooms), so be sure to know how to mute your site's mic.