How to Create a Virtual Field Trip for Spanish Class

Taking students on a virtual field trip is one of my favorite ways to kick off a unit based on a country and introduce students to culture. If you’ve never done one before, it can feel super overwhelming to create one for your students so today I wanted to walk you through exactly how to create a virtual field trip for Spanish class!

Watch the Video and Learn how to create a virtual field trip for Spanish class!

How to Create a Virtual Field Trip for Spanish Class

Your first step to creating a virtual field trip is to choose which tool to use. Here are five options for you:

• Google Slides
• Power Point
• Google My Maps
• Google Earth
• Thinglink

I like each of these tools for different reasons, and I have a quick pro con list explaining the benefits to each in my post here!

My favorite tool is Google My Maps, so that’s what I’ll walk you through how to use. Check out the steps below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Virtual Field Trips with Google MyMaps

Step 1: Choose your destination

• Gather the basic info you’d like to communicate
  • Language(s)
  • Flag
  • Capital
  • Currency (OPTIONAL: include conversion rate)
• Choose additional info for students to explore:
  • Products
  • Practices
  • Perspectives
  • Comparisons

Step 2: Gather media

• Collect pictures/images for each of the pieces of info
• OPTIONAL: Visit YouTube and find a few videos to help illustrate so students really feel like they’re visiting. This is a great way to include authentic resources!

Step 3: Create your map

• Go to your Google Drive and create the map
• Add a marker for each piece of info, insert the media, and add text
• OPTIONAL: Change the marker symbol and color as desired

Step 4: OPTIONAL: Create your handout(s) 

• Create a graphic organizer or comprehension questions to help guide students along the trip
• Remember, this is optional! You can also check for student understanding in a follow up activity instead

Step 5: OPTIONAL: Plan fast finisher or follow up activity

• Students will all finish the virtual field trip at different points, so it might be nice to have a fast finisher handy
• Here are some ideas for my favorites!

Step 6: Update Share Settings

• Find the file in your Google Drive
• Click “Share” and set it to “Anyone with the link can view”
• OPTIONAL: If you’ve created a digital handout, you can add the sharing link to the map on the top of the handout 

Step 7: Assign in Google Classroom!

• If you’ve created a digital handout, you can assign it in Google Classroom with the “make a copy for each student” setting when uploading. This prevents the students from editing your master copy and makes sure they can complete their own work. 
• If you do not use Google Classroom, but created a digital hand out, here’s a quick tutorial on making a link that automatically prompts a copy.
• If you did not create a digital handout, create a post or assignment in Google Classroom and put the sharing link to the map there.

Example Virtual Field Trip for Spanish Class Using Google My Maps

If you’d like to grab a free virtual field trip to use with your Spanish classes, sign up below to grab a trip to the Dominican Republic!

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Questions about How to Create a Virtual Field Trip for Spanish Class

Still have questions? Drop me a comment below and I’ll do my best to clarify for you!

Take Your Students on a Trip They’ll Actually Remember

If you have ever thought about creating a virtual field trip but felt a little stuck on where to begin or how to make it meaningful, you are not alone. The good news is that it does not need to be complicated to be powerful. In fact, some of the best virtual trips are the simplest ones. It all comes down to thoughtful choices and keeping student curiosity front and center.

As you design your virtual adventure, think beyond just the basics. Of course, it helps to include things like the capital city, flag, or currency, but the real magic happens when you bring in little moments of culture that make the experience feel real. Maybe it is a walk through a local market. Maybe it is a traditional dance clip or a song your students cannot stop humming. These are the pieces that help your students connect and remember.

Make It Simple but Still Packed with Purpose

You do not need fancy tools or hours of editing. What matters most is that the trip feels purposeful. Choose a few strong visuals. Find one or two short videos that give a peek into everyday life. Add in a question or prompt to help students reflect on what they saw. That is enough. Really.

If you want to level it up without adding a ton of work for yourself, let students explore in pairs or small groups. Assign different stops on the map and have them become the “guides” for that part of the trip. They get to teach their classmates, and you get to step back and watch them light up as they share what they found.

A virtual field trip is more than a tech activity. It is a chance to show students how language connects to the real world. So pick a place, pack your digital bags, and get ready to explore.

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