Using Google Earth as a Virtual Field Trip

Virtual Field Trip

This virtual field trip is designed to address each of the following Social Studies competency goals:
Kindergarten Goal 1: The learner will investigate how individuals, families, and groups are similar and different.

First Grade Goal 1: The learner will investigate how individuals, families, and groups are similar and different.

Second Grade Goal 3: The learner will analyze how individuals, families, and communities are alike and different.

Second Grade Goal 5: The learner will understand the relationship between people and geography in various communities.

This field trip is part of a unit designed for students to explore various destinations and compare/contrast them to North Carolina. Within this unit students will learn about modes of transportation, geographic landforms, continents, people, and cultures. Gardner states, “Students need to understand why they are learning what they are learning and how this knowledge can be put to constructive uses.” (p. 142) The unit will begin with some role play, designed to show the students an appropriate example of intolerance based upon ignorance; bullying, fighting, name-calling.

The underlying theme for the unit would be respect. Gardner states, “I call on human beings to accept the differences, learn to live with them, and value those who belong to other cohorts.”(p.107) It’s this acceptance of others I want my students to achieve, not only through this unit, but all discussions as well. I want my students to be exposed to very different cultures, and since we can’t physically travel to these various destinations, this virtual tour is the next best thing.

Respect is such an important character trait for all humans, not just young students. However, time is of the essence for my young students, because by the time youngsters become adolescents their attitudes toward others have nearly been determined (Gardner 2008).

Many of my students don’t have experiences with many individuals that are culturally, racially, or religiously different from themselves. I want them to have numerous opportunities to learn about all the people of the world, their countries, lifestyles, and viewpoints. These opportunities are exactly what people need in order to deal with the prejudices that every human generation has to overcome(Gardner 2008).

In regard to the ethical mind, my students will be required to participate in the tour of four very different locales. The information gained from the tour must be synthesized by the small groups, and then shared in the class-wide discussion. Young students are great conversationalists, and are not reluctant to share their view points. I feel this forum for assessment will allow all students to learn from one another.

Gardiner, H. (2008). Five Minds for the Future. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business Press