Google Expeditions, the educational tool that uses Google Cardboard to take students on a virtual class excursion has launched in Australia. To push the launch, Google has also loaded up some new local content.
To use Google Expeditions, you really need to get a Tablet, some Cardboard headsets and some phones. Once you’ve got all that together, the teacher can guide students through an expedition from their tablet. It’s not just something fun, Google has actually added aids for teachers on how to incorporate Expeditions into a lesson plan.
While walking through Machu Pichu or along the Great Wall of China is a great idea, local content is always good. Google already had an expedition featuring the Great Barrier Reef, among the more than 200 expeditions available, but has added a few more local additions to the Expeditions content for this launch:
This month we launched an Expedition for Government House, Canberra and an Expedition of the State Library of Victoria at Nichols Point Primary School in Mildura, regional Victoria.
The State Library of Victoria shows a number of interesting exhibits, including Ned Kelly’s armour, a very interesting part of Australian history that should tie-in nicely for a class lesson. The Governor-General has shown off the sights in Government house in Canberra to give an idea of what it’s like inside, giving teachers the chance to discuss the role of the GG in Australian politics.
In the US Google has built an Expeditions hardware bundle with Best Buy which is full of hardware that includes ViewMaster Cardboard viewers, Insignia Android Tablet for the Teacher, student ‘devices’ and a TP-Link router. Australians don’t unfortunately get that option, and will have to build their own setup.
Teachers if you have the requisite hardware and a bunch of kids eager to try it at your school, then you can start loading the app onto devices from Google Play now.
