On March 3rd, I was invited to the pioneer program of Google Expeditions virtual reality tour at Hopedale Jr/Sr. High School. Sitting in the multi-purpose room as a student along with a class of Seniors visiting the Great Barrier Reef and then a Freshman class visiting a career expedition of a TV news anchor, the experience was amazing and brought me back 30 years to when I was in High School. However, the exception being how much technology has changed the way the students are taught and learn in the 21st century.
Google Expeditions is a new product that is in the pioneer stages that will bring students to various field trips and at the same time, bringing abstract concepts and ideas to life by giving them the ability to gain a better understanding of the world around them. This is done by using cardboard viewers, which if I had to describe them are similar to the View Master that I used in the 70’s. Although this viewer allows for a collection of virtual reality panoramas, 3D images, video and 360 degree photo spheres. It also includes a tablet for the teacher to use to guide the students in the virtual journey.
Using this type of modern technology in the classroom allows for teachers to incorporate the current curriculum with virtual field trips to places where students may never have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
Ms. Olivieri, who is a Business and Finance Teacher in Hopedale, used the technology to take her students to the Great Barrier Reef. They were tasked with using a budget that was determined by the teacher. They then had to use the budget to set up activities, travel arrangements and accommodations for the trip.
Google Expeditions started the pioneer program in September. Since then, they have visited over 100 schools in the Northeast as well as hundreds of schools in the United States, with its prototype. It will be at least 1 year before the prototype becomes available for purchase. At this time, there is no word on what the cost of the program will be.
Issue Date:
April, 2016
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