Integrating the Web and the Geography Curriculum: The Bosnian Virtual Fieldtrip

This article analyzes and evaluates how World Wide Web resources (exercises, labs, data browsing and synthesis) can be integrated into the curriculum. The resources consist of an integrated site called The Bosnian VirtualFieldtrip (BVF), written by two geography department faculty members prior to the semester of use. The target audience of the BVF is diverse, and includes both off-campus and residential students. The site is fairly large but completely modular in order to allow educators to integrate the materials into their own courses. Students navigate and synthesize information (e.g., maps, pictures, glossary) and are challenged to construct meaning via role playing and opinion forming and justification. Outcomes include timeliness and relevance of materials (the Dayton Peace Accords were signed during the semester), a facilitation and exemplification of geographic concepts to students and the public, and incorporation of the World Wide Web into the curriculum. It is concluded that the resources are worth disseminating, but are not an end in themselves