Flipped classrooms occur when the teacher gives the students the content via video or other media to view at home. By using this practice, students are able to receive help with solving problems and applying the learning while at school with the teacher.

- if you're just lecturing, the classroom is not allowing for student direction
- giving the students the lesson at home and working through the content during class time working through problems
- students struggle with the practice problems the most, which leads to frustration and incomplete assignments

- Students are able to complete more of the assignments since the work is done at school

After school tutorials, library hours, notes transcription can serve as alternatives for students that are not able to access the video content. A beginning of the year survey can help to identify the students who might need accommodations throughout the year.

- Educreations - available for PC and iPad
- ShowMe - only available on iPad
- Explain Everything - available on Android and iOS
- Screencast-o-matic - use from a PC to record the screen with voice

Virtual Field Trips (VFT) Guidelines:

Planning is Key!

1. Select a trip which has a clear connection to what you are studying in class.
   
   

  2. Plan ahead for your trip:

• teach a preparatory lesson before the trip (if necessary)
  
• preview the site and know the content
  
• check all links up to three clicks away from the tour
  
• provide step by step tasks to accomplish
  
• consider a treasure hunt checklist for students to follow
  
• students could gather text and images to make a scrapbook
  
• design a webquest which requires students to complete an assignment
  
• state a measurable objective for your culminating activity

3.  Be sure to include the VFT in your lesson plans

4. Place a time limit on the trip

5. Be the tour guide - help students pace themselves

6. Consider using a projector and touring as a class (especially if you have limited technology)

7. Consider pairs or small groups if students work on their own

8. Follow through on a plan of assessment for completed student work

9. Have at least one follow-up lesson after the trip



Don’t

1. Allow students to wander on their own
   
   
2. Present the site without knowing it in detail
   
   
3. Go on a trip without classroom preparation ahead of time
   
   
4. Use VFT’s as an unstructured use of free time
   
   
5. Complete a VFT and have little or no follow-up  - help kids make those connections to their learning
   

*Adapted from Walter McKenzie’s Innovative Teaching - Virtual Field Trips

Suggested sites for students to blog or share with-

1. Peardeck
2. Haiku Deck
3. Kidblog
4. Powtoon
5. Prezi

Virtual Field trips visited today.

1. 4-H Virtual Farm
2. www.airpano.com -Himalayas
3. www.360cities.net
4. www.mnh.si.edu -Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
5. http://www.theteachersguide.com/virtualtours.html
6. gated.jason.org -Science Virtual Tours- Must have Aldine credentials and overestimate the number of students you teach so that new students don't have to be recreated
7. Connected Classrooms Workshop on Google+

Other places to look for VFT- Pinterest, Google + communities, Facebook, Google Earth map, street and satelite.