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A New Approach to Field Learning--Virtual Field Trips: A Systematic Review

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Title: A New Approach to Field Learning--Virtual Field Trips: A Systematic Review
Language: English
Authors: Rong Hu (ORCID 0000-0002-4235-7951), Ying Zhang (ORCID 0009-0005-4086-7412)
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. 2026 42(1).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Field Studies, Computer Simulation, Field Trips, Educational Innovation, Bibliometrics, Content Analysis, Educational Research, Educational Trends, Foreign Countries, Teaching Methods
Geographic Terms: United States, China, United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1002/jcal.70170
ISSN: 0266-4909
1365-2729
Abstract: Background: Virtual field trips (VFTs), an innovative educational form, developed rapidly in recent years, driven by computer visualisation technologies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, VFTs gained significant attention for their ability to transcend time and space. As offline activities resume, it is crucial to summarise and explore VFTs' educational potential and research directions in the post-pandemic era. Objectives: This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature characterisation and systematic analysis of the research hotspots and development trends of VFTs to provide reference for researchers and practitioners. Methods: This study employed bibliometric and content analyses to investigate the characteristics of studies on VFTs from 2004 to 2024, indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. CiteSpace was utilised to perform collaboration network analysis, clustering, and burst detection. Results and Conclusions: The results indicated that between 2004 and 2024, research on VFTs showed a growing trend. Key nations of publishing and research strength were from the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. Research on VFTs predominantly focused on geology, while climate change emerged as another popular theme. The tools supporting VFTs primarily include content creation, content viewing, and content distribution tools, as well as the implementation forms of VFTs, namely digital information platforms, online courses, and virtual 3D worlds. Over the past two decades, studies have centred not only on the advantages and effectiveness of VFTs but also on teaching strategies tailored to factors that impact student learning outcomes. The field has evolved through stages of the Emergent Phase, the Focused Phase, and the Deepening Phase, shifting from technological exploration to learner experience and, subsequently, to the integration of educational theory. Future research should focus on multi-sensory experiences, instructor competency and integrating teaching theories.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1495722
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: A New Approach to Field Learning--Virtual Field Trips: A Systematic Review
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rong+Hu%22">Rong Hu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4235-7951">0000-0002-4235-7951</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ying+Zhang%22">Ying Zhang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4086-7412">0009-0005-4086-7412</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Computer+Assisted+Learning%22"><i>Journal of Computer Assisted Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 42(1).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 17
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Field+Studies%22">Field Studies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Simulation%22">Computer Simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Field+Trips%22">Field Trips</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Innovation%22">Educational Innovation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bibliometrics%22">Bibliometrics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Content+Analysis%22">Content Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Trends%22">Educational Trends</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/jcal.70170
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  Data: 0266-4909<br />1365-2729
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Virtual field trips (VFTs), an innovative educational form, developed rapidly in recent years, driven by computer visualisation technologies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, VFTs gained significant attention for their ability to transcend time and space. As offline activities resume, it is crucial to summarise and explore VFTs' educational potential and research directions in the post-pandemic era. Objectives: This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature characterisation and systematic analysis of the research hotspots and development trends of VFTs to provide reference for researchers and practitioners. Methods: This study employed bibliometric and content analyses to investigate the characteristics of studies on VFTs from 2004 to 2024, indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. CiteSpace was utilised to perform collaboration network analysis, clustering, and burst detection. Results and Conclusions: The results indicated that between 2004 and 2024, research on VFTs showed a growing trend. Key nations of publishing and research strength were from the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. Research on VFTs predominantly focused on geology, while climate change emerged as another popular theme. The tools supporting VFTs primarily include content creation, content viewing, and content distribution tools, as well as the implementation forms of VFTs, namely digital information platforms, online courses, and virtual 3D worlds. Over the past two decades, studies have centred not only on the advantages and effectiveness of VFTs but also on teaching strategies tailored to factors that impact student learning outcomes. The field has evolved through stages of the Emergent Phase, the Focused Phase, and the Deepening Phase, shifting from technological exploration to learner experience and, subsequently, to the integration of educational theory. Future research should focus on multi-sensory experiences, instructor competency and integrating teaching theories.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Simulation
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      – SubjectFull: Field Trips
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