Students from the Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, New Jersey, recently expanded their classroom beyond its four walls by utilizing technology to take a virtual tour of the Museum of Russian Icons more than 200 miles away in Clinton, Massachusetts.
Using an interactive smart board and an internet connection, the students participated in a one-hour tour during which they could interact with their guides, who taught them about various religious icons housed in the museum, NJToday reports.
Both teachers and students were enthusiastic about the virtual tour, which took three months to develop, according to Linda Michalski, Benedictine Academy campus minister.
Educators at the Benedictine Academy emphasize the use of technology in the classroom to provide additional resources and enhance the educational experience for students. According to NJToday, each classroom at the academy is equipped with a laptop, interactive smart board and overhead projector.
Schools across the nation are using new technology to expand their resources beyond the classroom. In additional to virtual tours, videoconferencing equipment can be used in conjunction with an HD-TV, LED monitor or classroom projector to connect classrooms to conferences, performances or even other classrooms on the other side of the world.
