Google Expeditions at JBN
J.B. Nelson students recently went on a journey to learn about ancient Rome, the ecosystem of a coral reef, earthquakes, hurricanes, animal camouflage, dinosaurs, how photosynthesis works, and more—without stepping foot in a museum!
These learning opportunities were all made possible by Google Expeditions AR, an educational tool that allows teachers to take their classes anywhere. It works via the Expeditions AR (augmented reality) app and an Android or iOS mobile phone. Watch this quick video to see how it works.
Now watch what happens when JBN students get a 3-D surprise …
Google Expeditions AR is currently in beta testing in schools throughout the world.
Instructional Technologist Angie Sutherland applied for BPS101 to be a Google Expeditions AR test site and was accepted! J.B. Nelson, Hoover-Wood, and Louise White schools will all be part of Google’s beta test. The hope, according to Google, is that teachers will be able to see how Expeditions AR can be a valuable teaching tool and that students will be able to see the world in a way that will enable them to get even more value from their lessons.
In 2015-16, Google tested another app worldwide, Google Expeditions VR (virtual reality) with Google Cardboard. At that time, Rotolo Middle School was a test site. This free app has rolled out globally on Android and iOS, and thus far, over two million students have gone on VR Expeditions.
While nothing replaces hopping on the bus for a field trip, Expeditions AR and Expeditions VR give students the experience of going places that a school bus can’t go, such as the moon and under the sea—and the trip is free!
