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by InstrucTours
Aug 23, 2010
I thought I'd share this here. The original posting is in the Social Studies/Geography Chatboard concerning 8th grade field trips. This is in response to a couple of issues, of many, brought up in the last three posts and I have some suggestions and solutions.
Concerning the issues of photography on tour:
As a professional tour ...See MoreI thought I'd share this here. The original posting is in the Social Studies/Geography Chatboard concerning 8th grade field trips. This is in response to a couple of issues, of many, brought up in the last three posts and I have some suggestions and solutions.
Concerning the issues of photography on tour:
As a professional tour guide, I have seen that students and adults seem to be more interested in taking photos than learning about the places or objects they are photographing. There is nothing ruder than a tour guide trying to give information and pointing out sights than a group turning from the tour guide, or walking away to take photos. Unfortunately, digital cameras and cell phones are not speeding up the process, in fact, they are more difficult to use and longer to set up than the old 'point and shoot cameras' that have a view finder rather than an LCD which is affected by sunlight and glare.
However, rather than discourage photography, I incorporate it into my talks. After all, everything on a trip should be considered a, 'teaching moment', and photography is an art form. But the ground rules are these: 1. One cannot take any photos until after my 'spiel' (or any other tour guide's or docent's)so that they understand the significance of what they photographing, 2. If they are taking photos of one another, there should be something 'historic' or 'monumental' in the background, rather than a wall or tree. 3. NO squirrels! (squirrels simply do not show up well in photos and are a waste of disc space or film). 4. Do not take photos of other students on tour or strangers. 5. Ask permission to take photos of veterans or others they encounter at memorials, etc. Respect privacy. 6. Nothing that is embarrassing or compromising.
In fact, I have been known to take my groups to 'secret' places for special photo ops and help set up some interesting compositions. I like to discuss subject, composition, lighting, and perspective with them as well as how they would present each photo in a slide show or Power Point presentation. Is the photo 'frameable' and memorable? They start to take great care and pride with their photography and many come to view their shots as artistic expressions. It really doesn't take that long to approach this issue and it can be discussed on the bus or at the hotel before the tour actually begins. At the end of the day, I sometimes ask them to choose their 'photo of the day' and show it to me with an explanation.
One of the Principals I work with, sets up a group photo 'flash mob' before they depart from school. All she has to say on tour is, "Group Photo!", and they all scramble and fall into a pre-set group photo position. It's hysterical and it takes less than a minute! There are only one or two cameras used and the photos are posted on their website to download or part of the CD that is sent to them after the trip. It is much too time-consuming to take photos with each and every camera.
One company I work with is now providing each group (one per bus) with a digital camera, and after the trip is completed, the camera with disc is returned so a photo company can convert it into a CD that is sent to each person.
Concerning other electronic distractions:
Cell phones, Gameboys, and Blackberries:
It's difficult to do a trip when students, teachers, and parents are calling one another, texting, or Twittering constantly.
Many of my teachers are collecting the cell phones and Blackberries in the morning and returning them each evening. But the problem is that these devices double as cameras.
One teacher has a designated Twitterer to Tweet on the school's website so others can follow the trip. She has given boundaries to that person: "Just the facts!"
Everyone needs to be reminded to turn off the cell phones/ringers before they are visiting anything. It's embarrassing when there is a loud, obnoxious phone tone blaring during the Changing of the Guard at Arlington's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A previous poster also expressed that parents shouldn't be conducting business during the trip. Right on! It's difficult for me to do any commentary on the bus when I see, and hear, so many on the phone making deals or giving instruction to office staff. My bus is my office and my work should be respected. And parents also have lost track of time when they take their Blackberries and lap tops with them and work at the Smithsonian's cafeterias and other places when they should be visiting and touring.
To integrate state-of-the-art electronics into the trip (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em),I've been putting students to work with their Blackberries etc. checking facts, looking up towns and bodies of water we're passing, and navigation. I use the line Chris Matthews is famous for: "Tell me something I didn't know". If I keep them busy doing these tasks, they are less likely to be Twittering and calling one another. And if they do find out something I didn't know, it adds to my knowledge base. It's important for them to be aware of where they are, how to reference, and that it is never too late to learn new things.
This is VERY IMPORTANT: The parents and friends at home may not call during the day. As far as they are concerned, the students on the tour should be treated as if they were at school.
Concerning IPODs and Gameboys etc:
Leave them in the hotel room on days of touring. I have found that students who are listening to music during all the visits can't or don't pay attention to instructions, skim over exhibits, and are always late because they lose all concept of time.
A teacher and I once found two boys sitting on the steps on St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, playing with their respective Gameboys, an hour after they were supposed to meet us across the street at Rockefeller Center to depart for the airport. They were oblivious to the time.
I often talk about the sounds of the city and country and ask them what they have heard during their visits. The world is a symphony, each sound is like an instrument and each place has a unique sound track. Some of my students eavesdrop on conversations, and while that can be bad, there have been some funny exchanges and comments which they share with me and the group. You can't get that listening to Lady Gaga or the Black-eyed Peas while drifting through the Smithsonian.
Yes, they can listen to the IPODs if we are on a long trip and I have nothing to point out or discuss.
I hope this has been helpful.
by Dr. H. M. Beady
Sep 20, 2010
I am interested in grant sources that will fund enviromental projects for students interested in upgrading their community.
by Chris Carson
Oct 4, 2010
Take the virtual tour of the US Capitol with your students!
by teacher15
Oct 23, 2010
I am a third grade teacher, looking for new field trip ideas. Every year for the past few years we've been to the nature preserve... the botanical gardens.... and planetarium.
Also - in past years we have been to the zoo, grocery store tour, police station, firehouse, TV station, cider mill, museum of science, boat ride, history museum, an...See MoreI am a third grade teacher, looking for new field trip ideas. Every year for the past few years we've been to the nature preserve... the botanical gardens.... and planetarium.
Also - in past years we have been to the zoo, grocery store tour, police station, firehouse, TV station, cider mill, museum of science, boat ride, history museum, and aquarium.
Any ideas for something new and exciting we haven't tried? I know my students haven't been all these place, but I'm always looking for something new and exciting that we haven't tried yet.
Thoughts?
Hello,
I was taught to never--under any circumstances--drive students in my car. However, I work at a school where teachers do this all the time. I am wondering what other teachers were taught about this issue. I am uncomfortable with it.
Our high school cx'd a trip and I have 1 transferable voucher valued $1045. Voucher valid for travel Jan.1,2010- Dec.31,2011. My son is not able to use it as he has graduated and is now a freshman in college. I am willing to discount. We'd like to use this money towards tuition. Thanks! cking
by students participate online (free, of course)
Jan 29, 2011
If you are interested, please feel free to follow the trail ride from Corpus Christi to San Antonio via online. Your students (and yourself, of course) are invited to participate in the region 2 (Corpus Christi)challenge, view pictures and videos from the trail ride, ask the cowboys questions, submit video answers, questions, make comments, etc. Ho...See MoreIf you are interested, please feel free to follow the trail ride from Corpus Christi to San Antonio via online. Your students (and yourself, of course) are invited to participate in the region 2 (Corpus Christi)challenge, view pictures and videos from the trail ride, ask the cowboys questions, submit video answers, questions, make comments, etc. Hope you and your students will join us for "almost real time participation. Janet [link removed]
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