Adventures in VR

Well, we finally got our VR goggles updated and running and the 6th graders finally got to watch their space creations come to (virtual) reality!

Now, it wasn't the smoothest roll-out, but it was worth all the bumps in the road to make it happen. Last month, our 6th graders used CoSpacesEDU to create their own explanation of concepts explored during their space unit. They studied the solar system, gravity, and the patterns created by the interaction of the sun, moon, and earth, and had to show these concepts on CoSpacesEDU.

We spent a full month updating the goggles and reconnecting them to the network as they have sat untouched since COVID. Thankfully, despite having the older goggles (these are now six years old!) we were able to work with ClassVR to get our account up and running again, and transfer the work done on CoSpacesEDU to the ClassVR portal. 

Note: I highly recommend giving yourself a good two weeks to make something like this happen if you're using the older goggles. If you have the newer ClassVR goggles, it works much, much smoother (and yes, now I'm saving up to get a set of the new goggles and retire these older, clunky ones!)

The kids had a blast. They loved seeing their creations come to life! Riding the roller coaster one group made, watching the planets bounce around in a solar system without gravity made by another group - it was lots of squeals of laughter and fits of giggles. We did learn (the hard way) to give your eyes and brain a break every five minutes or so, as the VR world takes a toll on both!

CospacesEDU in SPACE!

We've played around with CoSpacesEDU many times over the past few years. The 7th graders have been doing a very cool project that involves recreating a capital city, and we've dabbled in other areas, too.

But this is by far the coolest project we've done thus far!

6th graders spend a good deal of time exploring space. They dive into gravity, seasons, weather, planets, and a ton more. We decided to take a risk and really dive into space using CoSpacesEDU AND ClassVR.

What does that look like?

6th grade students created their own space exploration where they had to teach a concept or two from the unit. Even better, we're going to be exploring those Space(s) on the ClassVR headsets! They got super creative, too. One group created a roller coaster for each planet. Several groups have sounds playing in the background to add ambience. One group brought in a rocket launcher (virtually) that blasts the project off into space, literally!

I am not well versed in CoSpacesEDU, not embarrassed to admit that. I am pretty solid with the basics of navigating and coding the spaces, but the nuances, eh, I leave those to the kids. And this group took things to a whole new level. They took the basic lessons I gave them and wow! 

I'm super excited for the headset viewing party where they'll experience each other's world's in virtual reality. The headsets should be ready soon!

It's Time for a (Virtual) Reality Check

This afternoon was one of those afternoons that make me SO happy I'm in education.  I got to introduce the entire 6th grade to Google Tour Creator.

To start, all the kids traveled to the Kotel in Israel.  Once there, they learned how to add points of interest, titles, descriptions, and set the starting view.  They learned how to move the little peg man to find different views of the wall.

Once they were comfortable with the basics of Google Tour Creator, it was time to explore.  Students added scenes and traveled across the globe without leaving the building.

To add a little more excitement to the experience... we pulled out the VR goggles and each student got to spend a few minutes immersed in an exotic location - from the jungles of Tanzania to London, England.  Some brave students even dove with sharks!  I love watching kids (and any people, really) experience VR goggles for the first time.  It's quite an experience!

One student was diving with sharks and got so startled she threw the goggles!  (They're working fine thanks to the sturdily constructed goggles by ClassVR!)

Why the goggles?  Because ultimately the kids will be creating their own 360 experiences on Google Tour Creator that we'll then upload to the goggles.  International field trips without leaving the building!  Plus, they're just plain fun.  And sometimes fun needs to be front and center!

Talk about bringing learning to life!

MACUL was Magical!

Three days.
I got to spend three full days with my "peeps" at Macul.
It was pretty awesome.

Spending day one, Wednesday, immersed in Virtual and Augmented Reality with Leslie Fisher kicked off quite the week.  I am super excited about all the possibilities of using Merge Cube in the classroom.  And my next venture is definitely going to be diving into CoSpacesEDU.  Oh, and Google Tour Creator.  Two places to begin my VR/AR adventures!  Add to that the fact that we were able to send seven teachers to the Wednesday workshops?  It made for a very happy me!

Thursday was a medley of sessions and vendors and the student showcase.  Got some GREAT ideas for taking our Stop Motion explorations to the next level.  Spent some time learning about Digital Badging, which is something I hope to give a go at some point in the near future!  Also spent a bit more time with Leslie Fisher learning about the Social Media Apps that kids are using but we probably aren't.  A lot more to explore on that topic down the road.  Presented on Osmo after that, and despite some tech fails, it wasn't too bad of a session!

Friday kicked off with Kasey Bell.  More specifically, Stranger Google with Kasey Bell.  Imagine a mash-up of Stranger Things and Google Tools.  Entertaining and educational!  One of the highlights of that session has to be Semi-Conductor or Body Synth.  Both are musical, yes, and both would make for some great brain breaks!

To be honest, the rest of Friday is a bit of a blur.  Popped into a few sessions, spent some more time in the vendor hall, visited a few poster sessions.  Presented a session on Google tricks and tools.... I was definitely fried.

However.

The conference ended with Gerry Brooks.  He is funnier in person than he is on his YouTube channel!  It was a great way to wrap a truly great conference!  Seriously.  I had a really hard time picking sessions this year.  More than in years past.  Already counting down to next year's Macul in Grand Rapids!