These days, it can be tough to help students truly visualize topics talked about in the classroom. And, it can be even tougher not being able to go on field trips. Despite all this, we can now offer the next best thing with the Google Expeditions' AR/VR Classroom Kits. Designed to augment classroom instruction with high-end performance, the nine AR/VR kits help teachers guide students through engaging lessons. They’re powered by the Magellan teacher tablet and include Homido viewers, student devices, selfie sticks, the teacher tablet, rapid phone chargers, and routers, carrying cases, or mobile carts depending on the option you select!
There are nine kits in total to serve teachers with different class sizes. There are a total of four 30-student packs, two 20-student packs, and two 10-student packs. So, there are enough kits for teachers in different situations without needing to spend more on items they don’t need. Each kit is different as well, which helps educators get some of the accessories they might find useful without feeling pressured to adopt certain pieces in their instruction they don’t need. So, let’s break down what’s included and, if you’re looking for a Google Expeditions alternative, feel free to contact us.
The 30-student kits are, of course, more expensive than the 20-student kits, which are more expensive than the 10-student kits. The four 30-student kits differ in the add-ons that you get. The most affordable kit comes with only a router and the next most expensive one includes a cart and router. The two more expensive 30-student packs come with either a rolling case or a rolling case and a router. With the 20-packs, the more affordable one includes a router and the more expensive one includes a rolling case, too. The most affordable 10-pack comes with just the router, the middle one comes with just the rolling case, and the most expensive comes with both a rolling case and a router.
If you’ve used the Google Expeditions kits, these new models are slightly different since they now feature augmented reality capability. The VR version allowed students to immerse themselves in all sorts of environments and explore in all directions. With the AR kits, however, they can place 3D objects in the classroom to observe as if really holding them. Using the devices (and selfie sticks), students can walk around objects, magnify details, and zoom out for the full picture.
Of course, this technology is incredibly valuable in an era in which traditional field trips are fading. If learning is happening in-person, the Google AR solutions could provide students with the next best thing. Whatever topics or concepts you're discussing in science, history, English, or even math classes, students can travel to those places, back in time, or wherever they need to go to gain a much clearer understanding of what they’re learning. How is this possible? The Google library contains tons of educational content that teachers can use to supplement their instruction. There are even regular nuggets of insight that appear as students observe what’s happening through the viewers!
Not only do the AR kits allow teachers to take their students anywhere in the world (virtually), they can help boost engagement, excitement for learning, and retention. All they need is the Google Expeditions app, which comes pre-loaded on both the teacher tablet and all of the student devices in each student pack—whether there are 10, 20, or 30. The various lessons and app features allow teachers to lead tours or help students learn about objects in augmented reality. Plus, the enhanced processor in each kit enables many of the VR and AR applications to run more efficiently.
Each of the kits also come with a Magellan U3 student device—an Android device for students to view AR experiences in the palms of their hands. It allows for improved playback in both AR and VR and provides all users with enhanced viewing experiences. The teacher tablet that comes in the kits is the Magellan U%, which helps create a seamless guided learning experience for any educators using the Google Expeditions system. Whatever content you're covering, lessons include interactive points of interest so teachers can stop and make sure students absorb everything.
Other than that, all of the kits come with the Homido virtual reality viewers, the student Magellan U3 devices, and the selfie sticks (10, 20, or 30 of each depending on the kit size). A teacher tablet is also included in each kit as well as rapid phone chargers. Then, you have the options to choose from when it comes to the ASUS router, rolling case, or storage cart. Whatever you decide, the AR system paired with any of the accessories you need can truly help transform your classroom into a learning lab that’s AR- and VR-ready.
To learn more about the brand-new Google Expeditions AR kits we’re now offering, click below to visit our store! If you have any questions at all about bandwidth, device compatibility, longevity, or the educational content used with Google Expeditions, please do not hesitate to contact our team. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all additional EdTech, STEM, and MakerEd news and subscribe to our newsletter.
NOTE: The Google Expeditions virtual reality app was removed from the iOS and Android app stores on June 30, 2021. “The majority” of tours will migrate to Google Arts & Culture, letting users view them via web or mobile device. This information was published on The Verge website.
UPDATE: We've recently selected a potential hardware alternative for Google Expeditions kits. The RobotLAB VR Expeditions 2.0 kits are now available on our store. They include bundles with materials for 10, 20, or 30 students as well as a similar platform to Google Expeditions. Educators can bring students on over 700 immersive Expeditions, virtual field trips, and more using the Expeditions 2.0 mobile app. Click to explore our current list of RobotLAB VR Expeditions 2.0 offerings.