2016 FISD Initiative
Google Virtual Reality Viewers – 30 unit classrom set, $10,000
It’s becoming more of a reality–classrooms all over the world are moving to an entirely virtual way of both teaching and learning. Imagine teachers taking their students on an immersive, 3D virtual journey of a coral reef in the morning, then docking with the International Space Station in the afternoon. Virtual reality tools like Google Expeditions are helping to shape and improve the future of education.
What is a Google Expedition?
A Google Expedition is a virtual field trip. Teachers (or guides) explore collections of 360˚ and 3D images, packed full of information about the surroundings, as well as ideas for key questions (and suggested answers) to help to structure the experience.
There are around 500 Expeditions available on the free app, including trips to places such as Machu Picchu and Antarctica, and even the circulatory system. List: https://goo.gl/RetxCG
How is it used in the classroom?
Each explorer should have access to a viewer and mobile device with a gyroscope.
From their own device, teachers lead the expedition by flicking between scenes and directing explorers to look at specific areas using an inbuilt marker. They also have the option to pause students’ screens while delivering instructions or simply to ensure they are on track.
Teachers from around the world have been sharing their lesson plans and accompanying resources on Tes, in order to take the learning beyond the app. Take a look at the entire lesson collection https://goo.gl/TUE1Ii or pick from one of these top downloaded lessons:
How does it enhance teaching and learning?
Google Expeditions helps bring learning to life by immersing students in an environment that is usually inaccessible. They differ from photos or videos by requiring pupils to stand and turn their heads and eyes to view scenes from different angles. The classroom all but disappears!
Expeditions can also help to ignite students’ natural curiosity, prompting them to ask more questions and take charge of their own learning. Students and teachers can develop their own expeditions as well through the Google Street View App.