No one got wet or sunburned on a recent trip to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point taken by students in Marycay Densmore's 7th grade class at Mesa Verde Middle School.  There were no buses and no one missed PE that day because the class took this field trip  through videoconferencing.

Students dialoged with a marine biologist in real time as she showed them video clips, live specimens and made diagrams. 

 In the lower right corner you can see the class as they are seen by the biologist.

Students were encouraged to ask questions and participate in the discussion.  

Ms. Densmore controls the camera via remote control which sends video of the students to the Ocean Institute on phone lines.

As students looked at different intertidal organisms on the monitor, they were asked to categorize them,  working in cooperative groups .

Students learned more about intertidal zones, but also how to "think on their feet", as they responded to the questions of a real scientist.  Additionally, they practiced the proper etiquette for an important face to face meeting. 

"Students will be exposed to the world, not the one of blackboards and books, but real people", states Linda Hyman, a SDSU Department of Technology Education First Fellow.  Video conferencing at Mesa Verde Middle School certainly provides that for their students.