VR in the classroom: Future of Experiential Education is here!

"Imagine exploring coral reefs or the surface of Mars in an afternoon. With Expeditions, teachers can take students on immersive, virtual journeys." (https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/)

The future of virtual reality (VR) is almost upon us.  What started as Google Cardboard and the Expeditions App that was only available for Android, is now available also on iOS. Google just announced DayDream VR for their upcoming Pixel phone, which is predicted to take VR experiences to a whole new level. Microsoft is also experimenting with HoloLens and I am really excited as an educator to see how we can engage students through experiences. The power to take students on virtual trips around the world as well as inside the world of science (our body, space, under water...our imaginations are the limits here). We can really help students experience concepts, which is the best form of learning. NY Times VR has been at the forefront of Google Cardboard through their free google cardboard, which is how I was first introduced to this world of VR. My brother also happens to be working on a VR game: Paddle Up for the HTC Vive, which is quite exciting!

As a master teacher through MfA (Math for America), I hope to engage my fellow MfA community to figure out the best practices and see it in action within my classroom. Here's to the future of VR.  I hope to soon get funding through DonorsChoose or other means, for a classroom set of Google Expeditions, which are sold in BestBuy.

Currently, also ordered a test VR headset to see if I could improve the quality from the Cardboard. Wish me all the best.

-Mr. Jamal

What a classroom of Google Cardboard VR experience could potentially look like

Here is the what VR in the classroom actually looks like, according to Google:

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