Google Expedition, their latest Cardboard solution, heading to the classroom

[Jeff Causey]

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Imagine being a student studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and your teacher is able to transport you to Verona, Italy, the setting for the play. While there you are able to examine up close a location like a centuries-old building known as “Juliet’s House” which is home to the supposed inspiration for the Capulet family. Such a field trip would be cost prohibitive for most classes and a logistics nightmare, but virtual reality can get students close. Although it is not yet to the level of stepping onto a holodeck, Google is helping make this happen through a program to provide their virtual field trip system called Expeditions that uses Cardboard free to schools.

The virtual reality kits from Google are another step as the company tries to get a foot in the door of schools and their younger, captive audiences. Indirectly Google has had much success as their low cost Chromebook devices from various manufacturers are popular with school systems. In addition, there about 45 million students that use Google’s Apps for Education platform thanks to their school’s decision. The addition of Expeditions may be yet one more “touchpoint” for Google.

As currently configured, the Expeditions toolkits come with Cardboard viewers and an ASUS smartphone. Teachers can tap into a variety of existing tools like Street View as they guide their students. Google is also working with a 16-camera system built by GoPro to produce custom content for use in the classroom.

Thus far about 100 virtual trips have been developed by Google in collaboration with teachers. Locations include places like the Great Wall of China, Independence Hall and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

Google is currently providing the kits for free to schools. However, they could start charging at some point in the future.

source: The New York Times
via: Engadget


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