Bringing AR and VR into the Classroom; Part 2

In Part 1, we looked at why virtual reality is a good fit in today's classroom. We also talked about different types of VR set ups you could check out.  In this post, we are going to look at all the resources!  I am all about free and secure, so unless stated, these are free resources you can use in the classroom.

The first resource I want to talk about is the one most popular in my district - Google Expeditions.



Google Expeditions allows the students to explore a huge variety of VR locations all while the teacher is guiding them.  For this resource, the teacher will need a device along with the students.  The teacher selects the expedition or field trip, the students join, and then the learning and exploring begins. I have seen students from elementary to high school using Google Expeditions.  The best part is watching a student or class explore for the first time!

New expeditions are added regularly!  Teachers have also created lessons to go allow with several expeditions.  You can see the full list here. You can also learn more about Google Expeditions here.

While we are talking Google, we need to also mention Tour Creator. This allows you to create your own virtual tours using Google Maps.  I mean, how awesome is that!!

For example, after reading Patricia Polacco's book John Philip Duck, the students can explore the Peabody Hotel and other sites around Memphis using the Tour Creator that you created. You could also create a tour of your state capital, your hometown, the US capital, and so many other places!



Discovery VR brings their shows to "life" through VR.  Users can explore Shark Week, Deadliest Catch, and so much more.  This is not teacher guided, so you will want to explore before hand and have clear directions and/or expectations for students.

Discovery VR can be used on a variety of VR devices. They also add content regularly.






Do you use Nearpod in the classroom?  If so, have you checked out Nearpod's VR lessons? What is great about Nearpod VR is you don't need a headset to experience them. There are 36 free VR lessons available you can check out if you don't have a paid subscription with Nearpod.






Two other notable VR resources are NYT VR, New York Times VR and 360cities.  NYT VR would be a good resources for secondary schools.  This app brings the New York Times headlines to life. This is one where the teacher will want to explore first and select the best resource to meet the lesson or discussion in the classroom.

360cities is not an app at all, it is a website. You can explore Mars, New Years celebrations around the world, and so much more!  This is not a resource you want students to explore, but rather for you the teacher to use to enhance a lesson.

These are just a view VR resources you can use in the classroom.  If you are looking for more, these are few places to check out:

Richard Bryne's Free Tech for Teachers website

Cybrary Man's Educational Websites - Virtual Reality

Do you have a favorite VR resource? Share with us!

In the next post, we will explore AR (augmented reality).

Breaking Down the Classroom Walls

If my lessons and activities only include the textbook and items within the four walls of the classroom, I have put my students at a disadvantage!  Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat, provides a great description for moving beyond the textbook and classroom.

We want our students to be the ones doing the innovative ideas. We want our students to be the ones doing the creative thinking.

In order for this to happen, we have to go beyond the classroom walls and textbooks. By going beyond, you are exposing your students to the world around them. They are able to gain a global perspective of their environment and how our actions can effect others.

Going beyond the classroom walls can seem overwhelming, but with the right tools and knowing where to look, you can start toward that path!

One great way to go beyond the classroom is with virtual field trips.  Now, before you dive into a virtual field trip with your students, think about the following:

(1) Have you explored the site?
(2) Do you have a "path" prepared?
(3) What will the students discuss along the way?

Don't start a virtual field trip without exploring it yourself! Make sure you have an end goal in mind. What do you want the students to walk away from this virtual field trip with?

Virtual Field Trip Idea #1
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History -- cost is free

Students can explore the museum through a self-guided tour using panoramic and up-close images. You can easily get lost in this museum! This resource could be used in multiple subject areas and throughout all times during a lesson. Science is of course the obvious choice, but think about ELA and descriptive writing as well. 


Virtual Field Trip Idea #2
Museo Galileo -- cost is free

This museum is located in Florence, Italy! Students can explore the virtual museum through videos and images. The rooms include the Science of Warfare and Galileo's New World. Of course, this museum has science and history written all over it! You can also explore the library collection as well.


Virtual Field Trip Idea #3
National Parks -- cost is free

In a 2008 blog post, Richard Byrne talks about creating a National Parks virtual tour. Although it would be great if we could actually take our students to National Parks, it is not always an option. You can also watch this 12 minute video on how to create tours on Google Maps.

Google Maps has so many great uses in the classroom! Students can plan out trips, explore areas all over the world, and see what it looks like beyond their city limits.

Virtual Field Trip Idea #4
The National World War II Museum -- cost $100 per video conference

This is a real-time video conference on a selected topic from the museum. Although this does have a cost, I have heard from middle school teachers this is worth it!

Virtual Field Trip Idea #5
The Rosa Parks Museum -- cost is free

This is a 360 degree view of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, AL. This tour provide students with a view of the different areas in the museum.

This virtual tour is part of Alabama360.  You can also find virtual tour of Helen Keller's birthplace and the USS Alabama.

Do you have a favorite virtual field trip resource? Share it with us!

Android Resources for PreK-Kindergarten Classrooms

Recently, my district added Nexus Tablets into the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms. Below are a few Android apps that would fit nicely in a Pre-K/K classroom. Added bonus, these apps are available on iPad too!

  
Alphabet Organizer by the International Reading Association is a free app for Android (and iPad). This app allows for multiple users, so students can save their work and not worry about the work disappearing.  Students can create two projects: words only or one word & picture per letter. The projects allow the students to create electronic word walls.

Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame by the Sesame Workshop is a free app for Android (and iPad). This app provides activities for the students to interact with while learning how to calmly problem solve. This is a good resource for teachers to suggest for parent to download and use at home. Teachers could also use this app to help students understand how to calm down and solve day to day problems.

   

  
Scratch, Jr is a great, free app for students to get engage with coding.  Scratch Jr is available for Android (and iPad).  You can also access Scratch on the web.  Scratch is for students 8 and up while Scratch Jr is for younger students.

 

  
Peppa's Paintbox by Entertainment One. This is a free app for Android and iPad. This is a nice app to let your students' artist side out. Students can paint with a variety of colors, add stickers, and effects to their art work.

There are several apps out there made by Eggroll Games. Those are available for Android and iPad.  They do have free and paid versions, but are worth the download. 

Do you have any great Android apps you use in the classroom? Share them with us!

Why spend money when you can get it for FREE?

Teachers and administrators are so quick sometimes to spend money on a resource or product. In several cases, they could get the same thing for FREE if they just did a little research online.  Below are just a few of the resources I have found that are FREE and a great addition to classrooms.

Instructional Videos

~ Khan Academy @ https://www.khanacademy.org/

Khan Academy is a large catalog of instructional videos on topics related to math, science, and the humanities. These videos can be viewed on the computer or iPad via their free app. These videos provide another way of viewing a topic or subject.  You don't have to create an account. Simple go to the website and look for a video that matches what you are teaching.  This would be a great resource for your advanced students to move ahead in math or your science fans to learn more about a topic or concept.

~ Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr @ http://www.brainpop.com

Yes, Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr are both subscription accounts, but they do offer free videos.  These instructional videos can be integrated into your lessons and activities.  Both sites also have an iPad app that shows a featured movie everyday.

Interactive WhiteBoard Resources

~ Promethean Planet @ http://www.prometheanplanet.com

If you have a Promethean Board or ENO Board in your classroom, you will want to create a FREE account on Promethean Planet.  This website provides FREE flipcharts created by teachers like yourself that can be downloaded and edited to fit your classroom's needs.  Promethean Planet also offers ActivTip videos, which are quick PD videos on the various ways you can use the software in your classroom.

~ Mimio Connect @ http://www.mimioconnect.com

If you have a Mimio in your classroom, you will want to create a FREE account on Mimio Connect. this website provides FREE inkfiles created by teachers like yourself that can be downloaded and edited to fit your classroom's needs.  Mimio Connect also offers PD webinars on various ways you can use the software in your classroom.

~ your co-workers

Ask your fellow grade level co-workers what they have found or created for IWB use!

Book Resources

~ CK-12 Foundation via iBooks on the iPad and @ http://www.ck12.org

If you do a search within the iBooks store, you will find free textbooks created by the CK-12 Foundation.  These textbooks include upper level science and math resources. These resources can also be found at CK-12 Foundation's website. You will find both CK-12 content and user created content, which includes books, videos, practice problems, and real world application.

Do you use any free resources for your classroom?  Share them with us so that we can all save a little money!