When Google launched virtual reality tours with Google Expeditions, schools were quick to embrace the educational opportunities that they offered to help bring learning to life. However, the introduction of augmented reality tours last year helped take this idea to another level. In this post we will take a look at how Expeditions AR tours work and how to get started using them.

Merriam-Webster defines virtual reality as, "an artificial environment which is experienced through sensory stimuli (such as sights and sounds) provided by a computer and in which one's actions partially determine what happens in the environment." This means you could be in Paris, on the moon, or under the ocean without even leaving your classroom. Virtual reality typically requires some kind of headset in order to participate in the experience.

Augmented reality is defined as, "an enhanced version of reality created by the use of technology to overlay digital information on an image of something being viewed through a device (such as a smartphone camera)." It's like having a virtual object in the real world, as demonstrated in the video below with the chameleon on the log. Augmented reality does not require a headset in order to participate in the experience. All you need is the screen on a smartphone or tablet.

Google's Expeditions AR tours can be used on either iOS or Android, but not all devices are compatible with this new technology. On iOS, you need devices that are capable of running the ARKit framework. This means you need a 2017 iPad, (or later), or you can use an iPhone 6S or newer.

On Android, your device needs to be able to run ARCore framework, which means it needs to be running at least Android 7.0, (although some devices require Android 8.0). Google has a list of compatible devices on their developer website.

Although Expeditions AR are a lot of fun to play with, the best way to use them is to enhance an existing lesson. I'm a big fan of the lesson template that Google put together for teachers. It makes you think about what you will do before the tour, during the tour, and after the tour. Following this kind of outline helps ensure that Expeditions tours are not just an isolated experience, but are instead connected to standards and learning outcomes as part of a holistic learning experience. You can view, and make a copy of, the lesson planning template here.

Google Expeditions AR tours can be used as a standalone experience, or as part of a class tour that is led by the teacher. The teacher led experience is very similar to leading an Expeditions VR tour, but there are a couple of notable differences.

The biggest change is the markers. You will want to download and print these out before you begin your tour. Students will scan these markers to see the object you want to show them. You can get your copy of the AR markers in the app by tapping the menu button and then tapping "Help with Markers", or you can click here to download a copy right now!

Place the markers around the room so that your students have adequate space to experience the objects from the tour. The markers have numbers on them, but the numbers are really just to help with classroom management because they all show the same AR object when the tour has started. So, just assign some students to marker #1, some to marker #2, and so forth.

Next, open the Expeditions app and choose the AR tour you want to lead. You can search for AR tours in the app, or see all the available tours in this handy spreadsheet. Once you start the tour, your students can scan the markers to access the objects you want to show them.

For more tips and troubleshooting advice on leading an Expeditions AR tour, see Google's guide.

 Here are some helpful hints to help you make the most of Expeditions AR tours:

1. Some objects are very large. Pinch the object with two fingers to resize it.
2. Drag two fingers up and down the screen to raise or lower the object after it has been placed.
3. Touch and hold on an object to create a spotlight that can be used to highlight specific areas.
4. Use selfie sticks with larger groups of students to help them navigate around an object.
5. Record your device's screen to make a video of your AR tour or have students "show what they know" by retelling their knowledge of a particular object while recording.
   

If you have tips of your own that you would like to share, please leave a comment below!

Jonathan Wylie | Digital Learning Consultant | Grant Wood AEA | @jonathanwylie

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Over the remainder of the year, we will be posting different ideas about how we can consider alternate formats and opportunities for learners to engage and use curricular materials. Until then, a key question we can consider:

Can all of our student/s access and use classroom materials and technologies to support learning?

Maggie Pickett
Digital Learning Consultant
​@MaggieP_AT

​Strawbees might be the best kept secret of the Makerspace world. When I first was introduced to Strawbees, I was astounded. How can something so simple encourage so much creativity?
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If you haven’t heard of Strawbees, let me break it down for you. It’s a kit of straws and plastic connectors. The connectors are the perfect size to slide right into the end of a straw and hold it tight. Connectors can be outfitted with one, two, three, four, or five pegs to connect straws, allowing for all types of creations and ideas.

~Mindy Cairney
@TeamCairney
​mcairney@gwaea.org

A screencast is a video recording of the screen on your computer or mobile device. In education, it is typically used to create how-to videos, but it can also be used for grading student work, showing student knowledge on a given topic, or narrating a slide deck. The ability to do this well is quickly becoming a core competency for teachers, especially in the age of blended and flipped classrooms. It's also a really useful skill if you are involved in any kind of professional development at your district.

To create a really good screencast, you need to break it up into three distinct parts. In this blog post we will look at some simple changes you can make before you record, while you record, and after you record, in order to maximize the impact of the screencasts you create at your school.

These are some of my favorite tips for creating a really good screencast. Do you have tips for screencasting that you would like to share? What about your favorite screencasting tool? Leave a comment below if you would like to share that with others.

Jonathan Wylie
Digital Learning Consultant
@jonathanwylie