Sheila Godfrey

Like so many others, I have read The Diary of Anne Frank a few times during my years as a student. While reading, I would imagine what the annex looked liked, and today I was actually able to see the annex on a virtual field trip. The virtual field trip that I chose is called, The Secret Annex Online: Anne Frank’s Hiding Place. To get started, I clicked the step inside button, and this took me to the landing with the bookcase. The bookcase hides the door to the annex. I was able to see the whole room by using the 360 degree view. There was a door in the room, but I am not sure where it leads to, and I could see the spiral staircase to my left. While in the this room I was able to watch a short video to learn about the bookcase. To leave this room I had the option of clicking an icon on the bookcase, or I could click the icon of the house in the lower left hand corner, and then select from a variety of rooms. There is also a front view of the home with even more rooms to visit for more interesting information. I was able to go into eight different rooms on the annex view, and each one offered information whether through a video link, or reading something that came from Anne’s diary. I think this was an awesome field trip because of the details within the rooms, and the way the facts are presented to its visitors. I feel that this field trip could be used at the end of a learning unit on Anne Frank. It could be a great and fun way to close out the unit, and it will be memorable to the students.