Friday, July 27, 2012

Distance Learning: The White House


While browsing the internet I came across the website for the White House.  The white house is extremely important for children to learn about. On the website you are able to set up time to take a tour in person but what really caught my eye was the virtual tour that is available for free. White House Virtual Tour This feature makes it possible for schools that are too far away or have less cash to allow students the ability to view and explore one of the most important houses in American history. All you have to do is click the different rooms/link because there is no registration needed to use the virtual tour. The only technology that is needed to use the tour is an internet connection and a computer which should make it easier for most to be able to actually use the technology.

The class the class I teach is third grade but it could be used for multiple grades. Each page that you visit on the site gives you a little information. One way to incorporate this into lessons would be to have the kids do a scavenger hunt while exploring on their own. You tell them things that they need to find out. For example the State Dining Room can sit up to 140 people. Ask them how many people the room sits and then ask them to imagine sitting down at their home dining room with that many people, what would they talk about. You can use this website to find out what the students would like to ask the president if given the opportunity. A great exercise that can come while using this tour would be to have the students write a letter to the president and the first lady. Tell them they have to include something they learned while exploring the tour. This is a great time for the students to be in small groups and collaborate together.  

Not only does this site show you tons of interesting photos of the White House it also shows you other important parts of the president’s life. Some of the things you are able to see would be Marine One, Air Force One, pictures of the first family, and the grounds showing the placement of different areas. This site is very easy to use which makes it ideal for students just learning to search for information to find what they are looking for without wasted time. This is a great tour for those that simply have no way to go there themselves.

Click on the following link to take you to the tour

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