Google Expeditions Beta

google expeditions app

Google Expeditions is a virtual reality platform that, in my opinion, is transforming how kids view the world. Students from all different kinds of backgrounds are visiting places in the world that they literally have never dreamed of going. 

A high school teacher I was working with last week asked students, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?" All students had an answer, but surprisingly the majority of them chose a place somewhere in North America. 

The truth is our kids don't know how big to dream!

If our kids lack the curiosity and context to know where things are in the world, then why would they ever think they have the opportunity to go there and see it for themselves? When this teacher and I prepared a lesson we gave them 10 recommendations of Expeditions from all over the world that they could experience. To see high schoolers that excited about anything first thing in the morning was a welcome sight!
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Expeditions beta

A couple months ago I applied to join Google Expeditions Beta group so I could have the opportunity to build my own Expedition. Since I was accepted into the group, I've been taking 360 pictures everywhere I go. Check out my pic from Dealy Plaza where JFK was assassinated.

Over Spring Break I got to tour and photograph 19th century pioneer homes in our hometown. I've been pleased with how well this fits in with my Innovator Project. For the past couple of weeks (in between all of my actual job requirements) I've been writing the narrative that will tell the story of Pioneer Life on the Prairie. Now, I'm just 2 scenes away ​from being able to publish my own Expedition that I've been working so hard on.

There's a potential my Expedition could then be available to everyone in the world. It's entitled Pioneer Life on the Prairie, and I'm proud to say it's loaded with curriculum content and TEKS that are relevant to our students. The best thing about that is it gives students an idea of how their hometown fit into the story of history. We all live in cities rich with history, and it's up to us to learn and share that heritage.