{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Why Distance Learning?","title":"#72 Inside CILC — Field Ed, Roam From Home, and the Future of Virtual Learning","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2101,"description":"In this episode of Why Distance Learning, Seth turns the spotlight to co-hosts Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell to explore the work they lead at the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC). For more than 30 years—long before the digital pivot of 2020—CILC has been connecting classrooms and communities to museums, zoos, aquariums, and cultural institutions through live, interactive virtual programs. But as demand grew, so did a problem: users loved the programming but struggled to find the right experience in a catalog of over 2,600 virtual field trips.\nTo solve this, CILC redesigned everything around two clear pathways: Field Ed for PreK–12 classrooms and Rome From Home for adults and older adults. Each gives users a curated entry point rather than a maze of search results. And instead of forcing teachers or community coordinators to juggle logistics, CILC introduced bundles and fully hosted webinar series—options that reduce prep time to almost zero while improving the learner experience.\nWhat problems CILC kept hearingTeachers overwhelmed by too many choices, not enough guidanceAdults and senior-living communities needing moderated, accessible programsContent providers unsure how to adapt or refresh virtual programmingSchool budgets going unused because scheduling felt too complexWhat the redesigned model deliversField Ed: A clean K–12 catalog aligned to curriculum, standards, and CTERome From Home: Cultural and wellness programming designed for older adultsBundles: Flexible funds teachers can use anytime, without losing budgetWebinar Series: CILC handles hosting, registration, moderation, and techConsulting: Support for museums and cultural institutions building or rebooting virtual programsThe episode also explores what makes a virtual field trip truly work. Tammy and Allyson break down pacing, interactivity every few minutes, accessible visuals, and the presenter “presence” that makes a screen feel like a shared space. For older adults,...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/2eKPm8ob1eS5Ju0DBuhPXRKuQv7Vx4cWT0c4uWSYbCQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82MmFh/MmQyYTc4NzdkNGJh/MzIzZWU5MmI3MzRk/MjQwYy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}