Overview
This lecture covers Google's new virtual field trip program, allowing students to explore global locations in 360-degree views directly from their classrooms.
Google Virtual Field Trips
- Google has partnered with schools to offer virtual field trips using advanced technology.
- Students can experience immersive 360-degree views, such as exploring Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
- The program uses stitched photographs from Google Street View and 16 GoPro cameras for life-like experiences.
- Students wear special glasses to view these panoramas, making it feel as if they are present at the location.
Classroom Integration & Teaching
- Teachers guide the virtual tours using a tablet, pausing to discuss observations and key features.
- Lessons can be customized to fit different curricula; for example, math teachers have designed expeditions to places like the Great Wall of China.
- The teacher's interaction and discussion drive the educational value of the experience.
Technology & Accessibility
- The virtual field trip kit includes smartphones, viewers, a teacher's tablet, and a dedicated router.
- Expeditions can run offline if internet access is unavailable, ensuring more classrooms can participate.
Key Terms & Definitions
- 360-degree view — imaging technology that allows viewers to look in all directions from a single vantage point.
- Panorama — a wide, unbroken view used in virtual reality to mimic real environments.
- Google Street View — a Google Maps feature providing panoramic images of streets and locations worldwide.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Write down observations from the virtual field trip as directed.
- Review the homework video for further comparison with the virtual experience.