A Virtual Field Trip, #1
Welcome/Introduction/Home Page
Virtual field trips can be both entertaining and educational. Students can gain experience, facts, and
information from their use. VFT’s take students on an Internet search of various sites that pertain to the
subject they are studying. They can provide opportunities for students to get a feel for a place and see what it
is like without actually being there.
Creating your own VFT would make a great project in any of your classes; so let’s learn how to create one.
For your computer project, I want you to create your own virtual field trip. You can create one as a Web page
by using Microsoft Word. The subject of your VFT is as follows: a field trip to a city or country that you
would like to visit for a summer vacation.
Your VFT must include the following: Each page must include:
Welcome/Introduction/Page a table of contents, linking to the other pages
Geography Page a WordArt title
Background History Page same background as the other pages
People and Culture Page information presented in paragraph format
Economy Page at least two links to other sites, videos, or
Main Attraction Page sound
Resources Used Page
Requirements for Welcome/Introduction Page:
background
WordArt title
table of contents, with links to the other pages
image or animation
a couple of paragraphs
o first paragraph to welcome visitor to your VFT and to explain why you choose this particular
place for your vacation
o second paragraph should briefly explain what topics you will cover in field trip
Take a look at these virtual field trips to get some ideas:
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=13824
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=8050
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=13538
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=15412
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=7084
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=15667
Useful sites for your project:
http://www.google.com (a search engine web site)
http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/map-machine#s=r&c=43.74999999999998,%20-
99.71000000000001&z=4 (interactive map site)
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/index.html (loads of information on countries)
http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic (converts US dollars into other currency)
http://www.factmonster.com/world.html (facts on countries)
http://www.askkids.com/ (facts on countries)
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcindex.htm (facts on countries)
http://weather.msn.com/ (weather information)
www.fg-a.com (free animation)
www.animation-central.com (free animation)
Evaluation Rubric
Use the rubric to self-evaluate your Welcome Page. You should evaluate the information design, the
presentation design, and navigation design.
CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Content The site has a well- The site has a clearly The purpose and The site lacks a
stated clear purpose stated purpose and theme of the site is purpose and theme.
and theme that is theme, but may have somewhat muddy or
carried out one or two elements vague.
throughout the site. that do not seem to
be related to it.
Layout The Web site has an The Web pages have The Web pages have The Web pages are
exceptionally an attractive and a usable layout, but cluttered looking or
attractive and usable usable layout. It is may appear busy or confusing. It is often
layout. It is easy to easy to locate all boring. It is easy to difficult to locate
locate all important important elements. locate most of the important elements.
elements. White important elements.
space, graphic
elements and/or
alignment are used
effectively to
organize material.
Navigation Links for navigation Links for navigation Links for navigation Some links do not
are clearly labeled, are clearly labeled, take the reader take the reader to
consistently placed, allow the reader to where s/he expects the sites described.
allow the reader to easily move from a to go, but some A user typically feels
easily move from a page to related needed links seem to lost.
page to related pages (forward and be missing. A user
pages (forward and back), and internal sometimes gets lost.
back), and take the links take the reader
reader where s/he where s/he expects
expects to go. A user to go. A user rarely
does not become becomes lost.
lost.
Graphics Graphics are related Graphics are related Graphics are related Graphics seem
to the theme/purpose to the theme/purpose to the theme/purpose randomly chosen,
of the site, are of the site, are of of the site, and are of are of low quality,
thoughtfully cropped, good quality and good quality. OR distract the
are of high quality enhance reader reader.
and enhance reader interest or
interest or understanding.
understanding.
Evaluation Checklist
Web Site Evaluation
The site’s content, formatting, and color
scheme support the mission statement.
The site’s color scheme is consistent.
Text is readable against background.
Page elements such as link bars and page
banners are placed consistently throughout the
site.
Web Page Evaluation
Text is presented in short sections.
Graphics support page’s purpose.
All contents is proofread and spell checked.
Important content is emphasized.
Related items are grouped together.
All hyperlinks have been tested.
Renner, James. Introduction to Web Design. New York: Glencoe Publishing, 2005