Students go around world with Google’s virtual reality field trips
Looking at a picture of the Great Wall of China might cause a student to raise an inquisitive eyebrow. But using technology to feel as if they’ve actually visited the landmark could create a future China scholar.
That’s the dream behind Google Expeditions, a 10-month-old project that gives teachers virtual-reality tools to teleport students to some of the most intriguing destinations on this planet and others.
Beginning Monday, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company will begin visiting thousands of schools in six states as well as in Australia, England and Brazil.
Teachers who expressed interest online in Expeditions after Google announced the project at its I/O developers conference in May will get all-day access to a kit that includes a tablet (from which teachers control the lesson plan), ASUS smartphones (which slot into Google Cardboard or Mattel View-Masters for the VR experience) and a router that relays the signal between devices (no in-school Internet connection required).
Google has yet to say whether it has sales expectations with the program, specifically with regard to the unique teacher-focused content of the VR adventures.
To date, Google has compiled more than 100 VR trips to places ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to Mars.