2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Classes go on actual field trips to supplement in-class learning and activities, visiting places such as farms and nurseries. The instructor contacts the farm or nursery owner, explaining the purpose of the visit and what the class would like to see. A date and time is finalized, and transportation is arranged. However, field trips have some shortcomings. They are limited to visiting places on the island of Oahu and close to the University of Hawaii because of the transportation costs and time. Once at the farm or nursery, it is sometimes difficult for everyone in the group to see or hear the speaker. Some students wander off from the group or are inattentive. Transportation can be costly. To complement field trips, I created the virtual field trip assignment. Each student contacts the owner of a farm or nursery, explains the assignment, and gets permission to visit for a personal tour. The student interviews the owner about the operation and takes pictures. Later, each student gives a PowerPoint talk in class about the farm and writes a report about the visit. The advantages of a virtual field trip include students are free to choose the farm or nursery that they want to visit. This could be a farm on another island in Hawaii, the US mainland, or in a foreign country. The student may be able to see and hear about things that the owner would not show or tell to a large group of students. The class gains experience in oral and written communication. This networking opportunity could possibly lead to an internship or a job. One of the things that did not work was when students were given the option of working in pairs, the work was sometimes not equally divided. Only one student in a group visited the farm or nursery. In conclusion, virtual field trips can complement actual field trips. The class learns firsthand about a diverse range of farms and nurseries. Students have the opportunity to improve oral and written communication. Virtual field trip visits have led to students getting future internships or jobs.