Field trips. Part blessing. Part curse.
Most of us love them, but demanding little details like to get in the way, things like time, money, transportation. Personal experience is the best, yes, but sometimes, it just isn’t a realistic solution. (My kids are still waiting on a moon field trip…)
We’ve used videos to help bridge that gap, but in general, we prefer interactivity when we can get it. Since two of the boys are very kinetic, tactile learners, it definitely helps retention levels when we’re able to use materials that are active rather then passive in nature.
We’re still working on convincing Tiger that science is interesting and fun, not something to hate. (Public school leftover attitudes are SO yummy.)
When the package from Digital Frog International arrived, I knew the true litmus test would be Tyger. Conveniently, he’d just brought me the mail – aha! perfect guinea pig.
Installation took a little longer then I expected - there are a LOT of files there, not a bad thing – and by the time it was done, he’d wandered off. He was a bit miffed when I called him back from skateboarding, but settled down with the laptop once I told him there was something I wanted him to take a look at.
Half an hour later, he was still immersed, and he’d collected two siblings, watching over his shoulder, awaiting their turns. I decided to let them enjoy, and went to check out the rest of the material.
The three digital field trips, Desert, Rainforest, and Wetlands, are DVD-based software that can either be run from the disk, or installed onto the computer. They’ll work on either PC or Mac.
The information presented is appropriate for all grade levels, though those in grades K-3 may need some help in read and comprehending the material. Student workbooks, recommended for grades 4-12, are included on the disks, along with teaching guides. Additional graphics files, including photographs and outline pictures of flora and fauna are also found on the disk. The workbooks are presented in multiple file types, to either print as-is, or to adapt for your own needs.
I really appreciate the flexibility this offers - I can tailor it to mine and my children’s needs, which is wonderful in the current era, it seems, of “don’t change a thing from how I made it – you “must” use it the way I intended it to be used” that so many publishers are moving to these days. (I’m eclectic at heart. I don’t leave ANYTHING alone – it’s totally against my nature to tolerate something as being good enough just the way it is.)
We approached the Digital field trips in a casual manner - at this time, as we’re still acclimating Tyger to homeschool and un-teaching some negative reactions to science, I didn’t think a list of workbook assignments was a very good idea. The workbooks are well laid-out, easy to read and grade, and would work well for in-depth studies on ecosystems.
Tyger has now spent several hours exploring the three field trips. Each time, I hear surprise that there is still MORE to be found. He’s be in awe at just how much “stuff” is hidden in each of the field trips. Now, perhaps, that he is familiar with the software and some time has gone by, I could sneak in some workbook pages, just to see how much he’s remembering.
Demo versions are available on the website – make sure you sign up for the free Digital Frogger club for additional teaching materials and discounts on purchases.
The Digital Field Trip to the Desert, The Digital Field Trip to the Rainforest, and The Digital Field Trip to the Wetlands may each be purchased separately for $60, or as a set of three for $125. Also available are Digital Frog 2.5, award-winning frog biology and dissection software, $85, and Sciencematrix: Cell Structure and Funtion, $40. The best Digital Frog bundle, though, includes all of the above for just $199 – a savings of over 30%.
To see what other crew members had to say about this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog post, The Digital Field Trip Series from Digital Frog International.
**I received this product for free as a member of the 2010-11 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so that I could provide you with an honest review of it by our family.**
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