The Digital Field Trip Series

Traveling to the Rainforest, Wetlands, and Dessert was an adventurous experience for my two sons and I this past week.  We encountered what felt like 3 real life field trips to three ecosystems courtesy of Digital Frog International.  The Digital Field Trip Series consists of the three award-winning software programs, The Digital Field Trip to the Wetlands, The Digital Field Trip to the Rainforest, and The Digital Field Trip to the Dessert.

We found this digital field trip series most impressive. It is apparent that Digital Frog International spent an enormous amount of time and thought while considering the content of this field trip series. The incredible sound effects and vivid color on these DVDs enhances the reality of the virtual field trips tremendously.  We were familiar with these three ecosystems from our world geography unit study last year.  This was an inclusive review for us with an incredible wealth of new information.

Each DVD software features the following....

• An interactive map
• Definitions of every word and pronunciations of scientific words
• Ability to bookmark favorite screens
• Online updates 

Additionally, an extensive workbook is included with each DVD which I found very helpful.  Student and teacher materials are included on the DVD in a variety of formats allowing you to print at leisure. The workbook materials act as an excellent study guide, leading students through the CD-ROM with tips, suggestions and quizzes. The accompanying teacher's guide includes answers, as well as teaching suggestions and even offers graphic resources for K-3 activities. The series is geared towards High School students, but can be easily be adaptable for even an elementary aged student.  However, being the computer novice that I am, I had a bit of difficulty locating the teachers guide, but eventually found it.

I  found it especially helpful that each DVD consists of a quick tour that easily explains in explicit details how to navigate each field trip.  Breath taking videos and photos takes you right to the heart of the ecosystem. Also, the many different locations that you visit pertaining to each ecosystem is thrilling, too. The boys had a better understanding of each ecosystem after watching the DVD's.  Greater knowledge and reality were obtained that Youtube and books just couldn't portray in our last year study of World Geography.

The Digital Field Trip Series can be purchased through Digital Frog International for a Home License for 125.00.  Or you can choose to purchase separately for 60.00 each. Digital Frog International offers additional products, such as, The Digital Frog, and  Science Matrix: Cell Structure & Function, .  You can view this chart here to see what product fits your family's needs.  View demos of all products here.

The software is highly sophisticated and one could not bring this software to justice unless personally viewing.  You could spend hours and hours checking out this informative software.  Like I mentioned before, it is very impressive to say the least.  However, this product does not meet our annual homeschool budget.  I think a school or even a coop setting would exceptionally benefit from these informative DVD's.  Also, my son mentioned he would have liked to have had the opportunity to visit links pertaining to areas of interest on the software during the field trip.  Additional websites are provided on the Digital Frog International website pertaining to the general overall topic, but not through the software itself.

I considered The Digital Field Trip Series a true asset to our homeschool bookshelf.  We will benefit from the software tremendously over the next years with our younger children.   To see my crew mates thoughts on this product, click here.

I received for free these DVD's for the purpose of writing an honest review. No other compensation was given.