Knowing what's there will help you prepare lesson plans and avoid wasting time when your students are online. Many trips can lead to discussions and lessons on several topics. For example, on a trip to the WebMuseum to study art, your students will discover that artists used crushed flowers and other natural substances to create paints. A discussion of that process could result in classroom projects and experiments incorporating botany and chemistry. Look for online resources and experts to assist in your field trip.
Many museums have staff members who are willing to answer students' questions online.
Because it is hard to have an entire class crowd around a single computer, consider allowing your students to go on virtual field trips in smaller groups. Awarding points or prizes to those who find the answers in the shortest amount of time will keep them focused on the lesson. Share your successes, failures and ideas with teaching colleagues from around the country and world. Then you can show them how a human heart works. Finally, take them out into a lightning storm for a first-hand lesson on electricity and weather.