TOOLS OVERVIEW

There are a variety of software tools to create virtual field trips such as using Microsoft PowerPoint, Tramline's TourMaker and
Adobe (Macromedia) Flash. All of these tools are excellent and range from simple to complex depending on the complexity of a
virtual field trip you want to design.

Here is a brief overview of each:

Microsoft’s PowerPoint 2007

Microsoft’s PowerPoint Microsoft’s PowerPoint is an excellent program to create virtual field trips for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost PowerPoint is easy to use and is widely available on most all computers. Virtual field trips are Web-based activities
and another asset of using PowerPoint is being ableto save a presentation as a webpage. Using PowerPoint to create virtual field trips
can provide students a dynamic interactive educational experience.

TourMaker

TourMaker Software is software you can purchase for Tramline. It is relatively easy to use to create your own virtual filed trips.


Adobe Flash CS3

Flash is a tremendous application to create virtual field trips due to the programs outstanding web capabilities. Flash began as Future Splash Animator,
a little program for creating vector art. In 1997, Macromedia acquired Future Splash, changed the name to Flash, and promoted the program as a tool for
creating graphic content for the World Wide Web. Flash is a development tool that allows you to create compelling interactive experiences and is standard
for web developers. In December 2005, Adobe acquired Macromedia and all of the company’s products. Flash has somewhat of a learning curve and
the program is not available in most educational settings.

top