VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS To Enhance Content Area Learning

1. VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPSTo Enhance Content Area Learning Presented by Edythe B. Austermuhl, Ed. D. Superintendent Deerfield Township School, Rosenhayn, NJ NAESP 2010 Annual Conference April 11, 2010 eaustermuhl@deerfield.k12.nj.us

2. Agenda • What is content area literacy • Difficulties associated with content area literacy • Ways to improve literacy skills • Components of a Virtual Field Trip • Sample field trips • Begin to plan your own trip • Sharing/Questions

3. Content Area Literacy . . . “the ability to use reading, writing, talking, listening, and viewing to learn subject matter in a given discipline.” --Richard T. Vacca

4. WHY IS CONTENT AREA LITERACY DIFFICULT? • Teachers do not preview the text/reading assignment with the students • Inadequate background knowledge and experience • Guiding questions or reasons for reading are lacking • Students and many teachers are not used to reading informational text; must learn to decode the text • Technical vocabulary (symbols) may be unfamiliar • Mismatched textbooks (usually written 2-3 grade levels above the reading level for that grade) • Students do not read enough • the more one reads the more vocabulary one learns which aids the ability to read varied genres of text

5. How to Improve and Support Content Area Literacy • Content area teachers need to be “content area literacy teachers” • Unlock the unique qualities of the written word in content areas (preview the text set up) • Emphasize unique vocabulary of the subject and lesson • Encourage students to become active in making connections between words and experiences/content • Encourage students to personalize word learning (which also supports differentiated instruction/RTI interventions) • Help students control their learning—use of graphic organizers, vocabulary logs or notebooks • Create a word wall for each unit of study • Assist student in using works in meaningful ways • Translate symbols (math, science, technology, music, etc.) into words or actions

6. Pre-read and Post-read Use guiding questions Analyze structure Describe concept/idea Give definitions Support with visuals Rephrase material Provide tactile examples Make associations Compare and contrast Chart characteristics Connect to students’ lives Rephrase material Repeat words/ideas in varied contexts Increase Literacy Skills in Content Areas by Enriching the Lesson

7. What is a Virtual Field Trip ? Exploration beyond the classroom walls using web based resources • Any subject area/content focus • Related to curriculum or standards • Any grade level • Use picture, poster, or video clip as a point of departure • Creation of a differentiated “learning center” • Constructivist learning, if possible

8. Basic Field Trip Outline • Pre-writing exercise -use graphic organizer • Group Talk - review pre-write; show picture/video clip; identify and label parts/ main ideas of the picture/video with words, concepts or ideas • Read the main selection to the students • CREATE A LEARNING CENTER -Present additional activities for students to expand their experience and complete as part of this unit of study --Constructivist learning --Differentiated instruction --Use a series of mini lessons

10. Virtual Field Trips on the Web • Utah Education Network • www.uen.org/utahlink/tours • Tranline.com—software to purchase to create field trips • Teacher created trip unique to the needs of one’s class, grade, subject, and interest level

11. Group Example 1 --The Beach • Web organizer • Picture • Reading Selection—text or trade book • Activities • http://dsc.discovery.com • http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish • Search “Sharks” for information • Virtual dive for types of sharks • Select a picture to write about • Independent study—differentiation

12. Sand Beach Fish

13. The Beach

14. Picture as point of departure • Find a picture • Discuss what is seen and known about the subject • Reading selection to further focus the lesson • Use a graphic organizer to classify information • Teacher developed activities for the trip/study (series of mini lessons)

15. Exploring the Beach Elementary Grades Middle Grades http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish Education Shark FAQ Whale Shark Education dissection Design questions/activities based on the places the students visit and their interest • http://dsc.discovery.com • Sharks • Where sharks are • Dive and observe • How stuff works • Design questions/activities based on the places the students visit

16. Determine the focus or subject area Choose a picture/video Choose a pre-writing exercise Create questions for discussion Use a reading passage as a point of departure Provide additional readings to support activities Create/choose activities related to the subject to support further learning Teacher guided/student guided activities(mini lessons) Research Labeling items Report (written/oral) Web quest Project Other student determined activities Independent Practice

17. Suggested Ideas Select Your Own Idea or Use Sample Idea/Picture Zoo Animal Hydraulic Power Plant Monarch Butterflies X-ray Volcano • Twin Towers • Grand Canyon • Polar Bears • Wind Turbine • Solar Panels

19. Virtual Field Trip -- Summary • Help to explain, clarify and focus on specific topics • Thematic approach to learning • Use a variety of differentiated experiences/projects • Incorporate the 5 senses, when possible • Who, what, where, when, why, how • Encourage the students to explore through follow-up activities that expand content knowledge and vocabulary using writing, discussions, reading, and internet searches/materials • Acquisition of concepts and additional information (constructivist learning)

20. Current Work With Staff • State Project • Each student does an oral report and project board • Required elements (motto, bird, flag, license plate, history, state parks) • TURN THE PROJECT BOARD INTO A POWERPOINT SLIDE(S) • One-three slides for each state • As a class, trip around the USA burned into a PowerPoint CD for all • Possible posting on the web site

21. Group Sharing & Questions Thank you for coming eaustermuhl@deerfield.k12.nj.us