Today 4R experienced our first Google Hangout, a Virtual Field Trip with the team behind the Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered plane designed to circle the world. Read more about the project in this previous post.
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We set up our classroom theater-style and waited as slowly the other classes, from Airbus school in Toulouse, France and Tsung Ting Primary School from Hong Kong came online. Eventually, we were all together and we were joined by Bertrand and Andre, the pilots and project leaders of the Solar Impulse. They walked us around the plane and took us into the cockpit, while answering questions from students in the three classes.
Afterwards students reflected that it really was a powerful way to learn about something because:
- “Unlike a book or movie, you and ask a question and immediately be answered or even taken to a place and shown something.”
- “You can connect with people in all different parts of the world.”
They also reflected that it could be challenging when:
- “Your internet connection created problems in video or audio.”
- “It wasn’t clear who was supposed to be speaking when.”
We concluded that for a Virtual Field Trip to work well, it really needed to be moderated. We felt the need for someone to direct the conversation and tell people when it was their turn to speak.
As the first, of hopefully many similar experiences to come, it was a great event. The Solar Impulse is a fascinating project. As the pilot told us, “At the moment, we aren’t building a commercial plane for passengers. We’re building a plane to carry a dream.”