Virtual Field Trips vs Traditional: Which is Better?

Traditional and virtual field trips both offer unique learning experiences. As educators weigh their options, understanding the strengths of each approach helps create the best opportunities for today’s diverse classrooms.

Breaking Boundaries of What’s Possible

Virtual field trips take students where traditional trips simply can’t go. Imagine shrinking down to explore the inner workings of a human heart, walking among dinosaurs in the Jurassic period, or floating through the rings of Saturn. These impossible journeys become reality through virtual experiences, adding an entirely new dimension to student learning.

Rethinking Travel Costs and Value

Traditional field trips create lasting memories but often strain budgets with transportation, admission fees, and meals. Virtual experiences eliminate these financial barriers while still delivering meaningful educational content. Many schools now combine both approaches: using virtual trips for distant or impossible locations while saving travel budgets for impactful local experiences.

Balancing Adventure with Safety

While traditional field trips offer irreplaceable hands-on experiences, virtual platforms enable exploration of otherwise inaccessible places. Students can journey to the ocean floor, witness a volcanic eruption up close, or travel inside a fusion reactor – experiences that would be impossible or too risky in person. This doesn’t replace the value of touching a starfish at the aquarium, but it adds new dimensions to learning.

Making Learning Accessible to All

Today’s classrooms serve students with diverse abilities, learning styles, and circumstances. Traditional field trips may exclude some learners, while virtual trips ensure everyone participates fully. The ideal solution? Many teachers now use virtual experiences to prepare students for in-person field trips and creating  learning opportunities for all.

Enhancing Engagement Through Technology

Modern virtual platforms complement traditional experiences by letting students interact with exhibits, ask questions in real time, and revisit key moments. Rather than replacing physical field trips, this technology can deepen understanding before and after real-world explorations.

Connecting with Experts

While traditional trips might include a guide or curator, virtual platforms can connect students with scientists, artists, and experts worldwide. These interactions add depth to both virtual and traditional experiences.

Making the Right Choice

The best approach often combines both virtual and traditional field trips. Consider:

• Your learning objectives
• Student accessibility needs
• Available budget
• Time constraints
• Curriculum connections

Ready to Expand Your Field Trip Options?

Whether virtual or traditional, field trips remain vital tools for engaging students. Learning to effectively use both approaches gives educators more flexibility in creating meaningful experiences.

Explore our online professional development course on maximizing virtual field trips!

2021 Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
2024 Editor’s Note: This post has been thoroughly updated in November 2024 to provide new content and comparisons between traditional and virtual field trips.

About the Author
Ellen Paxton is a respected expert in education and best known as the Chief Learning Officer of Professional Learning Board. As a two-time National Board Certified Teacher, Ellen has successfully published and customized online professional development courses and Learning Management Systems for 20 years to help teachers meet their state continuing education renewal credit requirements. Through ProfessionalLearningBoard.com, RenewaTeachingLicense.com, and ConnectedPD.com. Ellen has established solutions and maintained partnerships with several accredited universities, higher education institutions, teachers’ unions and state Departments of Education while setting strategic direction that makes a difference and overseeing implementation of popular online PD.