School closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic are not easy for kids and parents to navigate. Parents, who must somehow continue working, are now responsible for figuring out how to continue their children’s educational studies. The stress and difficulty is doubled for students who have ADHD.
Kids with ADHD need a lot of personal attention and stimulation, especially when it comes schoolwork. We think online and virtual field trips are terrific resources. Here’s why:
- Virtual field trips are engaging, capturing the attention of students with ADHD and as well as those without.
- They’re educational without a huge amount of one-on-one “instruction” up front by a parent.
- Field trips are informal learning experiences that get students out into the world. Trips to museums, parks, and historical sites (real-world and virtual) help students discover new things and learn in authentic environments, placing classroom content into new contexts.
Virtual Field Trips for Elementary School
We all know National Geographic is an amazing resource, but I particularly like how their education site allows kids to join virtual scientific expeditions. You can search by grade level, making sure you can find content appropriate for even the youngest students.
Kids travel the world, cultivate global curiosity and responsibility via kid-friendly articles and multimedia.
Virtual Field Trips for Middle School
NOVA Science education but their website offers excellent compelling science videos, simulations, study guides, and other activities.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
This invaluable resource inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Be sure that students are developmentally and emotionally prepared to confront these topics.
Project Noah is a free and easy way to take part in biodiversity research with the support of a knowledgeable and global community.
Virtual Field Trips for High School
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Powerful stories and media from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.
- Elizabeth Ross, M.A., SMARTS Media Manager
Source: https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/virtual-field-trip-apps-and-websites