Tammy Cummings
Library Media Specialist
UPDATE!
Google Expeditions Update. Original Post Google Cardboard & Google Expeditions: What I should know before hand.
I wanted to update everyone on Google Expeditions. The app is adding new tours all the time. The tours no longer are restricted to 360 Photos but now include 360 diagrams and drawings. All are still created by experts in their fields.
For those that are having trouble with getting the app to run with the screen sharing. You know you are having this issue when it never connects to a guide. This means your network has a restriction on peer to peer screen sharing. To overcome this hurdle don't go yell at your technology department! You will need to purchase a Wifi device that will run about $80. I use the Linksys AC750 Boost Dual-Band Wi-Fi Range Extender. I do NOT plug it into the network. I just plug it into a power outlet.
You will need to take your device that you will use as the guide and start up the Google Expedition App. Guides must log into their Google Accounts when using the app, Followers do not need to login. I like to use an iPad for my guide device. Download the tours you would like to run. Then you will connect your guide device to the router. Then go back into the Expedition App.
Now you are ready to have follower devices connect to the wifi router, make sure it is the same one that the guide device is connected to. Once they are connected they can start the Google Expedition App. Select follow and join your tour.
Google Expeditions are created by experts in their fields. Why not use these for research and not just field trips. Allow students to be the guide and explore the tour on their own. In the Guide point of view valuable & valid information is provided that students can use for their assignments. The best part is that when they tap on the information it points them directly at what it is referring to. The other great part is that they can't copy and paste the information. They must take notes! This leaves us with the task of teaching students how to take notes properly.
