Playing Around with Tech: Google Cardboard
Wanting to try out something new(ish) in technology but don't want to spend lots of money? Then read on!
Google Cardboard.
It is as basic and cheap as it sounds - and it's available near you.
How could a small cardboard contraption paired to your smartphone be turned into a cool VR experience, (obviously not to the degree where you really feel like you're "there") enough to entertain and enlighten, without having to leave the comfort of your classroom?
I purchased my Google Cardboard device from a reputable dealer on Trade Me for a mere NZD$5 or so plus postage.
I was a little surprised at first at how basic it looked, but a flashback to making pinhole cameras in Standard 5 reminded me of the power of home-made scientific inquiry and I set about gearing up for a virtual experience.
All you need is a smartphone that is up-to-date enough to download the Google Cardboard app either from the App store on Apple or Google Play store on Android. Once it's on your phone, open the app and then put your phone inside the cardboard contraption.
The app itself comes with five or so environments, including a natural history museum room, and a NASA space shuttle hangar. Other experiences can be accessed in Play store or the App store by searching up "Cardboard". I recently heard of Classical Studies teachers managing to source environments for their subject with very good results.
One of the things I enjoyed about this experience was how simple it is - and how much fun I had as a teacher and learner at the same time. It's also great to have time to play with something cool to feel energised again by technology that is purely for learning.
Stay tuned for another foray into a piece of educational tech just for fun - do you have something to share? Please get in touch!