Virtual reality in the Classroom

Ms. Bailey Pioneers a virtual biome tour thanks to Google cardboard 

Ms Bailey's sixth grade science students didn't just read about biomes during their recent unit. Using Google Cardboard goggles and their phones, they virtually explored the Great Barrier Reef and other locales. Watch this video below to see more of their experience.

Google Expeditions app screenshot from a BYOT device. The double image provides a stereoscopic 3D view

Here are the steps to the lesson you see in the video: (props to Ms. Bailey for flexibility when the original expedition would not connect via guest wifi)
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1. Get a Google Cardboard or other inexpensive viewer (many are $5 or under per pair) We have a class set in the media center.
   
2. Get one BYOT phone per group. You can scan the barcode to pair it to certain phones if needed. 
3. Download the Google Expeditions App
4. Keep fingers off lenses as you hold the Cardboard viewr and open the velcro
5. place phone in viewer, phone screen toward your eyes. If the case is large, the cardboard might not close but you can hold it.
6. Hold the viewer up to your eyes. You should see images. Look around.
7. Look down to find the white dot that functions as a mouse. Nod your head to move the mouse where you wish to go.
8. use the side button to change scenes

If you'd like to try using VR with your students, there are many ways to do it. There is a Google Expeditions kit that can be purchased, but we did individual explorations via student phones with guest wifi, the free Google Expeditions app and Google Cardboard. Students who weren't able to download the app could still find VR biome videos by going to YouTube and searching "Google Expeditions" plus the name of the biome they wished to explore.

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See Ms. Newburger to use our class set of Google Cardboard goggles. . See Ms. Gurthie if you'd like to try this in your lessons. Mr. Ciambrone and Ms. Styles are also exploring its applications in their courses.

There are many other virutal technologis you can use. Including web based virtual field trips and augmented reality expeditions and apps. Below a MakerSpace student explores a cube.