When one looks around the web for bonified virtual field trips, it is easy to see that the idea is stretched rather thinly to include panoramic photographs, video walk-throughs and automated camera views. The Isle of Minutia presents a far more authentic interactive environment where groups and classrooms can login together and enjoy the comraderie of fellow members and classmates as they hike around the landscape discovering all this little online isle has to offer. And there is a lot here to see as each theme area has been developed to represent everything from a historic depiction of Calgary in the 1890s to a full-blwn science fictional asteroidal mining base out by Jupiter.
Notably this is the 'virtual field trip' we always expected from our computers, it simply took awhile for processors and high speed internet connections to catch up with our imaginations and expectations. This highly technological genre continues to evolve and the Isle of Minutia is an excellent, safe, non-violent environment to introduce young people to 3D interactive worlds in spaces they can share together under the same sky.
Schools and groups can book a field trip by going to the Miniature World website and selecting "Field Trips" where they will find that for a low flat rate, up to 30 computers/students can arrange a morning or afternoon online class field trip quite easily with as little as 48 hours advanced notice. Once a virtual field trip is arranged the teacher or instructor is sent a copy of the software to test their systems (Windows-based desktops or laptops only), a short online meeting within the virtual world is set up and any customization is made to prepare for the sojourn.
If your school is local to Victoria BC be sure to check out the real field trips to downtown Victoria, BC as well because Miniature World itself has been entertaining groups and classes for over 40 years with exciting Field Trips to see their over 100 displays and dioramas.
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