School trips in Japan go virtual during pandemic

Maybe it sounds very strange in today’s world, but schools are built for teaching and learning, not for working as travel agencies. lol

The best learning experiences I had growing up were most definitely not in the classroom. I can't particularly remember much from the classroom, I do remember the things I learned from going places, doing things, being tactile, hearing, tasting, seeing. Reading about these places in a book doesn't do nearly the same thing.

In fact, a classroom is probably nearly the least conducive environment for learning for children. It's just not logistically possible to move the learning experience out of the classrooms entirely.

Nah, virtual travel doesn't even remotely come close to real travel. Let the kids go on their trips and just take extra extra precautions while traveling.

Yeah, and before they can actually SEE anything they have to stay in quarantine for 2 weeks before and after their trip. Few schools can afford to let their students take off for 5 weeks for what is typically a 3 night and 4 day trip.

Hence many staying close to home!

@Sven Asai,

Except for the fact that school trips have been part of the curriculum here for decades. The students have the trip listed as part of their school term schedule. So yeah, sorry pal, but kids and parents will a bit let down that their trip is now on screen and not in person.

Nah, virtual travel doesn't even remotely come close to real travel. Let the kids go on their trips and just take extra extra precautions while traveling.

Maybe it sounds very strange in today’s world, but schools are built for teaching and learning, not for working as travel agencies. lol

While many schools have canceled or postponed outings due to the global health crisis, some have taken students on "remote trips" which allow students to participate in cultural activities and sightseeing without having to step out of their classrooms.

But.....

The purpose of school trips, according to an education ministry official, is to have children learn things they cannot in their classrooms.

This is exactly how to make sure the kids lose interest in travel. If someone tells you "Next week, we're all going to Paris! We will visit the Eiffel Tower, walk around the streets, look at paintings, visit the museums and enjoy the real French experience!" but koi then find out its only a "remote trip", would your interest still be peaked?

But I understand why, but then again, isn't wearing masks accepted to prevent the spread of this virus? Why not have the kids go on these trips and supply them with hand sanitizers and make sure they have their masks on AT ALL TIMES? I'm sure they'd heed to those rules and go instead of watching someone else enjoy "their" trip.

Last week my daughter went to Hokkaido for 4 days and last month my son went to Shikoku for 2 days.

Both attend public schools,