Google Expeditions is one of the incredible virtual teaching tools that allow users to join or lead immersive virtual trips from all over the world. Whether you are concerned with historical landmarks, outer space, or even diving underwater with sharks and other water creatures, Google Expeditions acts a guide to lead a group of explorers through a collection of over 360 3D images. Typically, the above point out some interesting sights along the way, and it is inherently built for the classroom as well as small group use.
Since the induction of Google Expeditions Pioneer Program in May 2015, it is estimated that there are more than one million students and other interested explorers from over ten countries have embraced its use and reap incredible benefits. Currently, the company is on track opening up the VR program to everyone!
Google VR Field Trips
Besides that, Expeditions is on the rush bringing in more partners on board. In fact, Field Trips from the renowned educational publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is already one of the incredible members of Expeditions. Indeed, the program starts with around four field trips that are aligned with the publisher’s science and social studies curriculum. Soon, there will be another 20 or more trips coming in.
The VR Field Trips from Google is stunning as it offers a range of incredible features. For instance, it allows teachers to take students on guided visits and tours to a variety of locations in VR. In most cases, underprivileged school districts, these places are not accessible to teachers and students.
“Google Expeditions allows us to build more immersive learning experiences for our students than ever before,” said Mary Cull inane, Chief Content Officer, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, in a press release. “We can take them on field trips under water, up mountains and even back in time in ways we could only have dreamed of just a few years ago. Our partnership with Google will bring what students are learning to life in exciting new ways while dedicated teacher support will ensure this technology truly enables learning.”
Typically, some of these virtual field tours and trips include everything from taking a guided tour of Buckingham Palace to visiting the Great Barrier of Australia, and much more. Currently, the app is available for Android power devices and will be available for iPads and iPhones in a couple of months.
Google VR Expeditions Kits
Moreover, for those classrooms that they may not have the necessary accessories for the Expedition program, they need not worry since Best Buy are always availing Expeditions kits for schools to purchase. Most importantly, these kits come with a complete set of items necessary for bringing classes on to incredible Expeditions, which include things like routers, VR headsets and tablets. With only 9,999 dollars, you will be able to get a full kit of 30 devices including 30 viewers, a wifi router, 3 charges, a tablet for the teacher, and a case for the equipment.
