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Virtual Field Trips: An Analysis of Their Characteristics, Elements, and Approaches

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Title: Virtual Field Trips: An Analysis of Their Characteristics, Elements, and Approaches
Language: English
Authors: Sandra Sprenger (ORCID 0000-0002-9599-8103), Caroline Leininger-Frézal (ORCID 0000-0003-0890-6408), Marta Gallardo (ORCID 0000-0003-4804-710X), Neli Heidari (ORCID 0000-0002-6694-9492), María Luisa de Lázaro Torres (ORCID 0000-0003-4649-6120), Kerstin Michalik (ORCID 0000-0003-0258-7688), Eleni Mougiakou (ORCID 0000-0003-0954-6651), Maria Pigaki (ORCID 0009-0007-6980-2705), Maria Ángeles Rodríguez Domenech (ORCID 0000-0002-6000-4279)
Source: Journal of Geography in Higher Education. 2026 50(1):56-71.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Field Trips, Computer Simulation, Educational Technology, Sustainable Development, Geography Instruction, Program Effectiveness, Higher Education
DOI: 10.1080/03098265.2025.2560326
ISSN: 0309-8265
1466-1845
Abstract: This empirical study investigated the approaches to and elements of virtual field trips (VFTs). Its aim was to work out VFT design elements and to identify similarities and differences in their structures and content; quality criteria for VFTs were then derived from this analysis. The sample comprised a total of 107 VFTs, most of which were developed at universities using various digital tools, such as ArcGIS Online, Google Maps, and Genially. The VFTs were available in different languages, with English and Spanish being particularly well represented. We used qualitative content analysis to analyze the content before inductively forming categories on which the analysis was based. The results showed considerable variability in VFT approaches, particularly in the spaces presented, the scientific quality of VFTs, and the possibilities of interaction. In the future, digital learning environments could be developed based on these findings. For example, educational institutions could use the findings to design high-quality and effective VFTs with the potential to enrich geographical education in the context of digital learning environments.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505215
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Virtual Field Trips: An Analysis of Their Characteristics, Elements, and Approaches
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sandra+Sprenger%22">Sandra Sprenger</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9599-8103">0000-0002-9599-8103</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Caroline+Leininger-Frézal%22">Caroline Leininger-Frézal</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0890-6408">0000-0003-0890-6408</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Marta+Gallardo%22">Marta Gallardo</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4804-710X">0000-0003-4804-710X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Neli+Heidari%22">Neli Heidari</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6694-9492">0000-0002-6694-9492</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22María+Luisa+de+Lázaro+Torres%22">María Luisa de Lázaro Torres</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4649-6120">0000-0003-4649-6120</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kerstin+Michalik%22">Kerstin Michalik</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0258-7688">0000-0003-0258-7688</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eleni+Mougiakou%22">Eleni Mougiakou</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0954-6651">0000-0003-0954-6651</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maria+Pigaki%22">Maria Pigaki</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6980-2705">0009-0007-6980-2705</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maria+Ángeles+Rodríguez+Domenech%22">Maria Ángeles Rodríguez Domenech</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6000-4279">0000-0002-6000-4279</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Geography+in+Higher+Education%22"><i>Journal of Geography in Higher Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 50(1):56-71.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: 16
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Field+Trips%22">Field Trips</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Simulation%22">Computer Simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Technology%22">Educational Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainable+Development%22">Sustainable Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Geography+Instruction%22">Geography Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink>
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  Data: This empirical study investigated the approaches to and elements of virtual field trips (VFTs). Its aim was to work out VFT design elements and to identify similarities and differences in their structures and content; quality criteria for VFTs were then derived from this analysis. The sample comprised a total of 107 VFTs, most of which were developed at universities using various digital tools, such as ArcGIS Online, Google Maps, and Genially. The VFTs were available in different languages, with English and Spanish being particularly well represented. We used qualitative content analysis to analyze the content before inductively forming categories on which the analysis was based. The results showed considerable variability in VFT approaches, particularly in the spaces presented, the scientific quality of VFTs, and the possibilities of interaction. In the future, digital learning environments could be developed based on these findings. For example, educational institutions could use the findings to design high-quality and effective VFTs with the potential to enrich geographical education in the context of digital learning environments.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1505215
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Technology
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