Google Expeditions AR testing comes to Galesburg schools

Friday
Jan 5, 2018 at 5:00 PM Jan 5, 2018 at 5:00 PM

By Mitch PrenticeThe Register-Mail

GALESBURG — Near the end of Christmas break, schools around District 205 were informed that Google would be hosting a tech demo of their latest software for their students. The software, called Google Expeditions AR, is a software program that brings learning elements into the 3-D landscape for students to interact with. Things such as 3-D models of tornadoes for weather classes and landmarks for social studies come to full view through the screen of a smartphone. Social studies teacher Laura Weech was present at Lombard Middle School to take her class through one of the 30-minute demos.

“It’s awesome, it’s fabulous,” Weech said. “I think it will certainly enhance our curriculum.”

Weech’s class were given smartphones provided by Google to use for the demonstration. Within the demo, the students were able to point the phone’s camera into the space around them and view 3-D models of different natural disasters. This included tornadoes, hurricanes and even volcanoes. The students worked in groups to move around the room to view the models from all different angles. This is something Weech says simply is not possible without the access to modern tech and brings with it a new form of visual learning.

District Technology Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator Matt Jacobson was a leader in acquiring the demo possibilities from Google over a year ago. Google is setting off around the country to test the software before releasing it for public use. Because the software is still in a beta form, Jacobson said there is no current date as to when, or if, the district will put it into use. However, based on the feedback provided from the multiple demos happening throughout the district, they will be able to make a more structured decision.

“If the students and teachers tell us this is valuable, we will look to see how it could be implemented,” Jacobson said.

Jacob Coon, a Lombard student who was present for the demo, thought the software was easy and fun to use. He enjoyed the visual aspect of seeing the 3-D models in full view. He thinks that in the future, if the software is picked up by the district, it would make ideas taught in class more clear.

“Say you’re looking at a notebook, it’s just flat,” Coon said. “With this, you can see everything and move into and around it.”

Lombard student Noah Wright says that the visual aspect would be a major benefit to those students who have trouble learning without a visual aid. He thinks the software would be best suited for science and social studies classes to help see different landforms being discussed. Though he said the classes he is taking use video demonstrations to help learn, this is on “a different level.”

Jacobson said that in order to usher in this sort of technology, the district would have to make sure its Wi-Fi capabilities are strong throughout the classrooms. This shouldn’t be an issue, he said. With so many students having smartphones, this could potentially be something that is widely available from the start. The district may even be able to provide a monitored set of devices to use with the software, though funding would be necessary. However, until Google is finished with testing the software, any further development on district implementation is on hold.

“If this helps concepts stick in students’ minds, then it’s certainly something we will have to explore more deeply,” Jacobson said.

Google representatives will be showcasing the software Monday and Tuesday in other schools. On Monday, they will be housed at Nielson Elementary, Silas Willard, and Steele Elementary. On Tuesday, they will be concluding their demos at King Elementary. The public is welcome to join, though one should call the schools ahead of time to ask for permission and specific times and locations.

Friday
Jan 5, 2018 at 5:00 PM Jan 5, 2018 at 5:00 PM

By Mitch PrenticeThe Register-Mail

GALESBURG — Near the end of Christmas break, schools around District 205 were informed that Google would be hosting a tech demo of their latest software for their students. The software, called Google Expeditions AR, is a software program that brings learning elements into the 3-D landscape for students to interact with. Things such as 3-D models of tornadoes for weather classes and landmarks for social studies come to full view through the screen of a smartphone. Social studies teacher Laura Weech was present at Lombard Middle School to take her class through one of the 30-minute demos.

“It’s awesome, it’s fabulous,” Weech said. “I think it will certainly enhance our curriculum.”

Weech’s class were given smartphones provided by Google to use for the demonstration. Within the demo, the students were able to point the phone’s camera into the space around them and view 3-D models of different natural disasters. This included tornadoes, hurricanes and even volcanoes. The students worked in groups to move around the room to view the models from all different angles. This is something Weech says simply is not possible without the access to modern tech and brings with it a new form of visual learning.

District Technology Curriculum and Professional Development Coordinator Matt Jacobson was a leader in acquiring the demo possibilities from Google over a year ago. Google is setting off around the country to test the software before releasing it for public use. Because the software is still in a beta form, Jacobson said there is no current date as to when, or if, the district will put it into use. However, based on the feedback provided from the multiple demos happening throughout the district, they will be able to make a more structured decision.

“If the students and teachers tell us this is valuable, we will look to see how it could be implemented,” Jacobson said.

Jacob Coon, a Lombard student who was present for the demo, thought the software was easy and fun to use. He enjoyed the visual aspect of seeing the 3-D models in full view. He thinks that in the future, if the software is picked up by the district, it would make ideas taught in class more clear.

“Say you’re looking at a notebook, it’s just flat,” Coon said. “With this, you can see everything and move into and around it.”

Lombard student Noah Wright says that the visual aspect would be a major benefit to those students who have trouble learning without a visual aid. He thinks the software would be best suited for science and social studies classes to help see different landforms being discussed. Though he said the classes he is taking use video demonstrations to help learn, this is on “a different level.”

Jacobson said that in order to usher in this sort of technology, the district would have to make sure its Wi-Fi capabilities are strong throughout the classrooms. This shouldn’t be an issue, he said. With so many students having smartphones, this could potentially be something that is widely available from the start. The district may even be able to provide a monitored set of devices to use with the software, though funding would be necessary. However, until Google is finished with testing the software, any further development on district implementation is on hold.

“If this helps concepts stick in students’ minds, then it’s certainly something we will have to explore more deeply,” Jacobson said.

Google representatives will be showcasing the software Monday and Tuesday in other schools. On Monday, they will be housed at Nielson Elementary, Silas Willard, and Steele Elementary. On Tuesday, they will be concluding their demos at King Elementary. The public is welcome to join, though one should call the schools ahead of time to ask for permission and specific times and locations.

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