Destination...Google Expeditions!

Hello all! I figured I better resurrect this blog as I have not been posting about all the awesome things that are happening in Delphi Community Schools in a while. As one of my New Year's Resolutions for the ICE community, I chose to make blogging more of a habit and to make sure I get "our" story out there. So without further ado, let the resurrection begin...starting with one of my all-time favorite topics--Google Expeditions!

I have spoken about Google Cardboards many times in the past. In fact, I previously posted about it back in February...of...2016... (Oh dear, where did 2017 go?) Virtual reality (VR) has many educational implications, but honestly, it is just plain fun! Just check out these lovely faces.



This past year Google created an app for teachers to actually be a tour guide for these destination travels. This app is called Google Expeditions. It allows the teacher to have some control over what the students are viewing. This is sooooooo much easier than having students open the Google Street View app, type in a destination, click on the image they want to view, and then put their phone in the Cardboard. Now, image doing that about 5-7 more times for each different 360 photo they want to view. Bleh!

So far in 2018, our 7th graders have taken a trip to Egypt and the Pyramids of Giza. If you could have heard the "oohs" and "aahs" from the students, you would have been just as excited! Mr. Burpo holds a wealth of knowledge about all things Social Studies. He was able to guide the students around the pyramids, across the Nile, and through different parts of Cairo. By using Google Expeditions, students were immersed into the landscape and the beauty of Egypt. They were able to experience Egypt, and not just passively view it on a 2-dimensional image. Check out the images below.

Mrs. Kahl chose to use Google Expeditions to view the Circulatory System with her Introduction to Health Care class. Students were able to go inside and view different parts of the heart, as well as see how arteries and veins work within the system. One of my favorite comments from a student was, "This is cool to see how the different tubes work within the heart!"

Google Expeditions is a wonderful app and an activity that can "tech up" any lesson plan. There are expeditions for all curricula, such as, Business, health care, culinary arts, science, Social Studies, etc. With over 700+ expeditions, there is something for everyone. Take that leap, and try something new! Your students will thank you.