Immersive learning in Geography

with Google Expeditions

Zina Cordery

Our journey

●Introduction to xR●Google Expeditions●Teaching modes and lesson ideas ●Developing lessons using Google Expeditions

*Link to Google Site for this sessionhttps://sites.google.com/view/googexped

@zinacordery and #EduTechTribe

What is Virtual Reality?

●Three-dimensional computer generated environment

●Simulations; 360 images/videos

●Explore and Interact

●You become part of this virtual world

●Immersed within this environment

●Manipulate objects or perform a series of actions

●See, hear and feel the experience (haptic)

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What is Augmented Reality?

●Add layers of digital information onto the real world

●Enhance natural environments or situations

●Offer perceptually enriched experiences

●Users can interact with the digital content

●Adds sounds, videos, graphics to the real world

ScopeAR

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What is Mixed Reality?

● A form of augmented reality that is somewhere between VR and AR.

●Mixed reality augments the real world with virtual objects that aim to look as if they are really placed within that world.

●The merging of real and virtual worlds.

●Produces new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time

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https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-virtual-reality-augmented-reality-and-mixed-reality

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Educational Benefits of VR and AR

Virtual Reality

●Virtual field trips

●Language immersion

●Skills training

●Architecture and design

●Distance/Online learning

Augmented Reality

●Understanding complex and abstract concepts

● Increased student engagement and collaboration

●Practical learning and skills acquisition

●Students have the tech needed (Smartphones/Tablets)

●Accessible Learning

What devices do you need for VR?

PC Connected Eg., Oculus Rift, HTC Vive/Pro

Requires a gaming level computer

Premium PC/Console Connected HeadsetsHigher quality VR experience

Interactivity – Hand controllers

Console ConnectedEg., Playstation VR

PS4 console

What devices do you need for VR?

Hand-held Eg., Google Cardboard Headset

Mobile Phone

Smartphone VR HeadsetCost effective solution

Mobile PhoneLess interactivity/control

PremiumEg., Samsung Gear VR

Mobile Phone

What devices do you need for AR?

●Smartphone

●Tablet – iPad, Android

xReXtended Reality =Collective term for these technologies.

xR is the umbrella category that covers all the various forms of computer-altered reality, including: Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR).

What apps can we use in education?

●Many VR apps in the App Store/Play Store and online○ Google Expeditions○ Science focused

■ Labster○ Humanities focused

■ Discovery VR

■ SBS VR

●360 images and video○ Youtube 360○ 360cities.net○ gettyimages.com.au/360

YouTube Virtual Reality

Google Expeditions

Google Expeditions

●Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality teaching tool

●Guide or Self paced○ Teachers can Guide the session

○ Students/Learners can explore self paced

●Create immersive virtual trips in VR all over the world

○ Historical landmarks

○ Work places

○ Underwater adventures

○ Even visit space

●Augmented Reality experiences○ See digital content in 3D objects

○ Explore up close

Why use Google Expeditions?

Google Expeditions

General Capabilities -ICT; Critical

and Creative Thinking.

Cross Curricular

Immersive Learning

Deep Learning

What tech do we need?

Devices to use in the classroom

●Teacher○ iPad

●Students ○Google Cardboard

○Mobile phone

OR○ iPads

Download Google Expeditions App..

●Apple App Store -> Expeditions

●Google Play Store -> Expeditions

Sign in with your Google account

Two Modes...

1. Teacher paced lesson = Class -> Guide

2. Student paced lesson = Class -> Explore

Guide mode - How to setup a system

●You need a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network to lead and participate in an expedition.

●*Some Wi-Fi networks may allow both peer-to-peer connections and an Internet connection. ○ Ask your school administrator about your network to find out if it allows for this.

●If your school doesn't allow peer-to-peer connections on your school network, you can set up your own.

●NOTE: If using self paced expeditions then users need to be connected to the internet/WiFi

Set up a used router

●Find an unused Router

●Locate the network information (router's base):

○Wi-Fi name or Service Set Identifier (SSID)

○Wi-Fi or SSID key (WiFi password)

○ *Management URL, username, and password

*Check the maximum number of connections allowed (~30)

How to start an expedition..

Teacher

1. Sign in with Google Account

2. Download the experience to iPad

3. If needed connect to the router (Settings->Wifi->Router name and password)

4. Open Expeditions app

5. Press Guide and start Expedition

Students

(Google Account may be required for students)

1. If needed connect to the router (Settings->Wifi->Router name and password)

2. Open Expeditions app

3. Join the Expedition

Let’s try

Google expeditions - VR Expeditions

Teacher Lead VR Expedition

1. Search for this expedition- Physical Geography

2. Download to your device

3. Look at the different scenes in the expedition

4. Read through the descriptions and questions in each scene

5. Think and discuss with your neighbour how this expedition could benefit your student

Supercharge the Expedition!

●Add a Soundscape https://youtu.be/ST3wkFV9Az0

Expedition activity example

➔ Worksheet - printed or digital

➔ Create tasks - drawing and designing

Student Lead VR Expedition

7 New Wonders of the World

● Explore the scenes and learn about the new 7 Wonders of the World

● Structure class activities that are designed to have students explore the

content and find information, ask questions = Inquiry based learning

Supercharge the Expedition!

● Add a Soundscape https://youtu.be/NZX8gLJlGa0?t=305

Expedition activity examples

➔ Worksheet - printed or digital

➔ Create a Travel Brochure or a Poster about their favourite place.

◆ Use Google Slides as a whole class activity.

➔ *See site for resources copies

Google expeditions - AR Expeditions

Student Lead AR Expedition

Basic Landforms

● Explore the scenes in the expedition

● Read about the various features of the land formations.

Supercharge the Expedition!

● Add a Soundscape and Visualscape! https://youtu.be/n8Xr7xBXVhk

What are some activity ideas using this expedition….

Expedition activity examples

➔ Use the expedition and additional resources (websites, videos) in a Hyperdoc to engage students in the content.

➔ What is a Hyperdoc?

◆ an interactive Google Doc

◆ all components of a learning activity are together in central document

➔ Shared via Google Drive, Google Classroom, other LMSs

➔ * See site for resources copies

Your turn

Finding Expeditions

➔ Look through the Expeditions

➔ Identify Expeditions that could be used in the classes you teach.

➔ With one of the Expeditions, design a lesson/class activity that uses the Expedition and

think about how it is applicable to the applicable curriculum

Let’s share!

How to make your own VR set

●Collect old mobile phones from the school community

○ Email parents

○ Posters around the school

●Resetting Old Mobile Phones:

○ Project for older children in Primary and all Digi Tech students to improve their ICT skills;

■ through the after school Tech Club, school project,

■ developing Digital Technology skills (curriculum), √

■ cross curriculum activity - HASS, Science, √

■ general ICT, critical and creative thinking, personal and social, ethical understanding capabilities, √

■ Cross curriculum priority – Sustainability, √

■ Environment awareness program. √

●Don’t forget the chargers! ☺

Supercharge your adventure by creating an Immersive Environment

★Feel

○ Use chairs as the rails on a suspension bridge.

○ If you travel to the Antarctica, Artic or cold places, use ice to have students feel how cold the environment may be.

★Hear

○ When using a historical expedition, play music, other sounds from that time, or parts from movies to recreate the environment.

○ When using a nature based expedition, play sounds from that environment from YouTube, music and sound fx.

★Smell

○ Have students smell spices or incense from a particular place while exploring.

○ Smell a relevant object, like plants, flowers, leaves while exploring nature expeditions.

★Taste

○ When visiting a different country, bring in food native to that area.

Developing class activities

★ Use free lesson plans from TES.com to assist in

designing your activities.

https://www.tes.com/resources/search/?q=%23

Googleexpeditions

★ Look for ideas and support info from Google

(search Google expeditions support)

★ Use Bloom’s Taxonomy Questions to help you

design higher order/critical thinking tasks and

lesson focus.

★ Don’t forget to Supercharge! your lessons ☺

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Over to you..

●Visit the Google site about Expeditions.

○ https://edu.google.com/products/vr-ar/expeditions/?modal_active=none

Points to ponder..●How can you integrate these resources into your learning area?

●Can you think of activities you could do with your students?

Happy exploring!Zina Cordery

T:@zinacordery