Virtual Field Trips

• How will this support and enhance your unit plan? Your students’ learning?
• Will it be an introduction to a unit, support an inquiry-based project or be part of a culminating activity?
• Are you bringing in an expert or coordinating a collaboration with another class globally?
• Is this a lunch and learn for teachers?
• Is it part of a school or board-wide Teacher Professional Development event? Many content providers offer free programs that introduce the technology and programs.

Before you request a booking, consider the following topics and questions.

Date and Time:

• When is it happening? Time zone (don’t forget that not everyone uses Daylight Savings Time). How does it fit in your class’ or school’s schedule? Is this part of a series of programs with same provider or other classes?
• Decide on some possible dates and times based on your class’ schedule – keep in mind that you might find a provider in a different time zone; most are very accommodating.

Location:

• Where is it happening? The classroom? The library? The technology room?
• The location might depend on the technology being used or if a presentation like this is normally coordinated by the teacher librarian or other Tech support person on staff
• Is it your class or a couple of classes?
• Ideally, it is with one class at a time. Too many students will impact the level of interactivity and ultimately student engagement. Some presenters have limits as to the size of the participating class

Cost:

• What does it cost? Fee? Or Free? Any discounts? Is funding available from another source such as the Parent Council?
• Some programs will charge a fee. Find out if you have the funds or can get the funds. Some programs may be free or discounted under certain conditions – ask.

Decide if it’s happening in your classroom, the library or technology room. Your access to the technology might determine that.

• Ontario Schools: Local Booking Request
• All other schools and groups: Book through CILC

Who is the expert you are bringing in? An expert from a local business? A content provider from a local, provincial, national or international cultural or natural heritage organization?

Or are you interested in collaborating with another teacher/ class from someplace in the world?

Consult with colleagues or a board consultant to see if they can recommend someone related to that topic, or check out the websites listed below to find a guest. Most of these sites have keyword search engines.

• Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC): cilc.org
• Digital Human Library: digitalhumanlibrary.com
• Streamable Learning: streamablelearning.com

Once you’ve decided on a program, contact the expert/ content provider to check availability and to determine if the program they offer will meet your needs or can be customized.

Some programs will need to be registered for, while others will just require an agreement with the provider. Most sites allow you to register for free; it might be the program that costs a fee.

The first two links will also offer you opportunities to either list or search for a collaboration based on location, grade, topic or subject.

Internet connection: Most teachers will use a laptop or desktop computer to connect from a classroom or other location in the school.  A hardwired connection is the most reliable but Wi-Fi can work if you have a reliable, robust connection. 

Webcam preferred: While most laptops have built-in cameras, microphones and speakers, these are meant for 1:1 calls and don’t have the fidelity and power needed for a classroom full of students, therefore we recommend that you use a webcam for better audio and video quality during the presentation. Our programs are interactive and so when a webcam isn’t available, you may have to sit close to the laptop to relay answers or have the students come to the computer to give their answer – something that is time-consuming and distracting for the class.   

Audio: Clear audio can be an issue depending on how you are displaying the connection (e.g. whether you use of a projector/screen, TV, or SmartBoard).  Upon request, we are happy to arrange a time for a test connection with you a day or two ahead of your program. 

Videoconferencing platform: RBG has their own Zoom meeting room, but if you need to meet via MS Teams or Google Meet, that’s just fine. We can send either a Zoom or MS Teams meeting link, but you may have to send us the Google Meet link. 

No VC room system? No problem!

There are browser-based solutions which will enable your students and you to have the same engaging interactive experience. RBG has a licenced Zoom room via Fieldtrip Zoom as do many other content providers.

You’ll need a computer (laptop or desktop) that is hardwired (or you’ve got a very robust Wi-Fi connection).

Ideally a webcam is the best option for video and audio, but with the newer laptops the built in AV system is quite good.

You could also use Google Hangouts or Skype keeping in mind that the presentation may not be quite the same, but it will still be interactive.

How to create the best audio / visual experience? 

• Try to arrange for a test connection. Most content providers are happy to schedule 5 – 15 minutes for this.  
• Check the ALL audio-visual elements. 
• Audio (microphone and speakers) – Can the presenter hear the students at the back of the room? Can you hear the presenter clearly? Is there an echo? 
• Video – Can you see the presenter clearly? Can they see you and where most if not all your students are going to be? If the camera is facing a window, it might be causing a problem for the presenter to see the students. Confirm that they are getting a view that works for them, too. 
• Does the presenter want to test any of their peripheral equipment? 
• If you can be part of the test connection, use this time to also discuss the presentation content and any prep that needs to be done by you or your students. 

• Always do a test connection – at least 5-10 days before the presentation in case you run into problems.
• Check the ALL audio-visual elements.
• Audio (microphone and speakers) – Can the person on the far-end hear the students at the back of the room? Can you hear the presenter clearly? Is there an echo?
• Video – Can you see the presenter clearly? Any freezing or pixilation? Can they see you and where most if not all your students are going to be? If the camera is facing a window it might be causing a problem for the presenter to see the students. Confirm that they are getting a view that works for them, too.
• Does the presenter want to test any of their peripheral equipment?
• If you can be part of the test connection, use this time to also discuss the presentation content and any prep that needs to be done by you or your students.

IT Support

Find out what is needed by your tech support if you aren’t sure. Can you use what you already have in the classroom/Library/ Community space or do you need to reserve it? 

If IT support is needed to set up the equipment, will they stay in case something happens or can you look after it if needed? 

All programs (School, Career and Adult) cost $150 + HST where applicable. Organizers will be invoiced in CAD for Canadian schools/ locations or USD for American and other international schools/ locations. HST/ GST will be added for Canadian schools where applicable. Indigenous schools are tax exempt.  

• Program price is for groups of up to 35 participants;  
• Invoices are sent out at the end of each month;  
• Payment is accepted in both currencies by either cheque, credit card or e-transfer.

Homeschool Groups  

Single program price can be split amongst a homeschool group – up to 15-20 participating connections at one presentation. This can be negotiated.  

Teacher PD Programs

A single site will get one free program annually. A price (+ applicable HST/GST) will be negotiated for additional programs. 

Virtual field trip programs vary in length due to content and audience participants. 

• K-Gr 3 programs: 30-45 minutes 
• Gr 4-Gr 12 programs: 45-60 minutes 
• Adult, Teacher PD, and Career programs:  45-60 minutes.

Modifications to program lengths due to additional activities or elements will be communicated to program organizers.