Visit Grand Teton from the classroom

BSU takes students around the world on interactive field trips

School children will take a field trip from inside the comforts of their classrooms and witness Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park because of a Ball State University electronic field trip.

Interim director Jeff Mohl said grant money completely funded the electronic field trip.

"Every year we are looking for next year's grants," he said.

Mohl said that any class can participate in the field trip by applying for it online for free.

Registration Coordinator Kelly Haun said the field trip offered students an interesting insight into the animals, the eco-system and "Smokey the Bear-type things."

"[Also,] preservation is a big key they'll hit on," she said.

The field trip provides students a unique opportunity, she said, especially because it is interactive.

"During the electronic field trip students will be not only able to learn from the student host," she said, "[but also] they can post questions to the expert and call in."

The main educator in the classroom will post the student's questions on an online discussion forum, and the university will flash a toll free number on the screen, she said.

"We actually patch the phone calls to the rangers on the air," she said.

The students will explore the Alpine Forest, sage brush and wetlands, Haun said.

Mohl said Wyoming was a perfect place for the field trip.

"Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous," he said. "You can't even imagine a more perfect backdrop."

Mohl said the electronic field trips began 13 years ago as a means of video conferencing with curriculum built in, but now it is an elaborate television program.

"It is a grander program now than it was a year ago," he said.

Haun said the program started when Dean of the Teachers College Roy Weaver taught in a part of California that wasn't well-funded and realized how important it was to provide students the experience of visiting the outside world.

"[There was] concern of how to bring these wonderful aspects of the world outside to the students," she said. "He brainstormed and came up with the program."

Haun said the university's involvement in the program is well worth the endeavour.

"It's a wonderful aspect to bring to students of all ages," she said. "This is an amazing thing to watch. This is another way that Ball State integrates technology and education to create something new and unique."


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