About 30 sixth-graders at Russellville Elementary School were fixated on a television screen, where two terra cotta figures were being discussed by Ben Hauser of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
This wasn't a prerecorded video, however. This was a virtual field trip.
Hauser kept the students engaged throughout the one-hour lesson on Olmec, Aztec and Mayan civilizations by asking questions. The students were eager to answer and especially were curious about weapons and warfare.
"Instead of showing us what the exhibits were, he actually asked us questions; it was kind of like we were taking a test," student Royal Gilpin said. "It was very different from a real field trip."
In addition to the time and logistics of transportation for on-site field trips, tours often are casual or silent, with more walking and lots of distractions, students agreed.
"I think I got more out of it," student Macie Edwards said.
Student Allison Schrimpf said she liked Hauser's description of the details.
The students agreed the jade sculpture was fascinating, especially considering the primitive tools of the early civilizations.
"They lived very interesting lives," student Ann Raithel said.
The virtual tour was a kick-off to the remainder of the school year in social studies, where they will continue to explore MesoAmerican history.
"I think we'll understand more than just reading a chapter and going over it, because we've actually seen it," Schrimpf said.
The upcoming lessons are the favorite of teacher Tom Backes. He said he was pleased with the turnout of their first virtual field trip and hopes to incorporate the concept more in the future.
The class already has covered the history of other continents, like Sumeria, Egypt and Europe.
"We want them to have an appreciation of history ... understand nothing lasts forever," Backes said.
Librarian Tina Kauffman, who coordinated the technology, noted the virtual field trip option provides an outlet to expose students to a variety of experiences.
"Most of these kids have never been to a museum," she said. "This gives them knowledge and they have a reference."
The interactive technology was a donation from MOREnet, which was upgrading its ITV technology, Kauffman said. The virtual field trips still have a cost, but it's much smaller and grants are available, she said.
"We want to keep kids engaged, it makes learning more enjoyable," Backes said. "It's not all about facts, figures and dates.
"They were real people, not obscure figures in the past."