Here are the BEST Blog Posts of 2017!

I have put together a list of the BEST and most popular Shake Up Learning blog posts from 2017.

I can’t believe we are nearing the end of 2017! As Shake Up Learning approaches its fourth anniversary, I want to take a moment to THANK YOU! You have made this site possible and kept me going when I thought I had nothing left to give!

I believe reflection and feedback are of the utmost importance to keep Shake Up Learning relevant and useful. I reflect throughout the year, but especially this time of year. I like to take a closer look at what blog posts brought the most traffic, comments, and shares so that I can give you more of what you like.

The goal of this blog has always been to provide teachers with educational technology resources, tips, and tricks, and help teachers find ways to integrate technology meaningfully in the classroom. This list of the Top 20 Blogs Posts of 2017 will help me decide what content to create in 2018. I want to make Shake Up Learning shine in 2018!

[Tweet “20 Things You May Have Missed in 2017! #edtech #edchat #SUL #gsuiteedu”]

What Do YOU Want in 2018?

I also want to make sure to serve my audience! To give you more of what you want, I have also included a short 60-second survey at the bottom of this post. This survey is your chance to chime in and let me know how I can better serve you and your students.

Below is the list of the Top 20 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2017 from Shake Up Learning.

Did your favorite make the list? If not, be sure to let me know in the comments.

The Top 20 Blog Posts of 2017

1. 35 Apps That Integrate with Google Classroom

2. How to Insert Super GIFs in Google Docs and Slides

3. 150+ Chrome Apps and Extensions for Teachers and Students

4. 17 Things for Teachers to Try in 2017

5. 15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep

6. How to Differentiate Questions with Google Forms

7. How to Easily Assess Student Writing in Google Docs

8. Interactive Learning Menus (Choice Boards) with G Suite

9. How to Differentiate Assignments with Google Classroom

10. How to Pass the Google Certified Educator Exams

11. 3 Chrome Extensions that Make Google Classroom Even More Awesome

12. 4 New Video Options in Google Slides That Will Make Your Day

13. Personalize Google Keep for You and Your Students

14. 20 New Ways to Use Google Classroom

15. How to Use Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions in Your Classroom

16. Teach Like the Tonight Show: Internet Pop Quiz – Teacher Edition

17. The New Google Sites: The Good, The Bad, and Nothing Ugly

18. The Ultimate Google Cardboard and Expeditions Resource Guide

19. The Google Certified Educator Capacity Matrix – Level 1

20. How to Push the Boundaries of School with Dynamic Learning

What would you like to see in 2018? Let me know by filling out this 60-Second Survey.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Exploration = Education, my new motto

This is a guest post by Google Certified Trainer and Innovator, Stacy Behmer.

I had the privilege of attending the Google Geo Institute (#CAGTI17) with approximately 90 other educators from around the world last week to learn more about Google’s Geo Tools! I loved using maps with my students and used Google Earth, but my head was spinning with all of the ideas about how we can use the geo tools to help students learn about new places, solve problems, and tell stories!

We may not be able to physically go everywhere, but virtually the possibilities are limitless.

[Tweet “10 Amazing Google Geo Tools for Your Classroom by @sbehmer #geotools #Googleedu #gttribe #shakeuplearning”]

10 Amazing Google Geo Tools for Your Classroom

After thumbing through all my links and docs, here are 10 of my many takeaways!

1. New Google Earth

“Everything is something and everything has a place somewhere.” John Bailey, Google Geo Education Team. Google Earth is now web based and you can use Pegman and Street View within Google Earth, but you can go places that are off the beaten path and may not be on a street, like these monkeys in the see Street View of Himalayas. These 360 images can easily be embedded into a website or project students are creating.

2. Voyager

A new addition to Google Earth is the Voyager Experience! Go to Voyager and select the education tab. Google partnered with National Geographic and other organizations to build content and tell stories from around the world.

3. My Maps

There is a power in students creating their own maps to help them visualize information or to tell a story an example of this is two students who collected the Oral Histories of Route 66 and displayed it on a Map. My Maps is can be used for students as they explore events in literature, historical events or even as they study current events. The beauty of My Maps is they are collaborative and can be exported to be brought in as a layer of Google Earth. Kim Randall, @scubagirl812 did a super session on Mapping Made Easy with Google My Maps!

4. Tour Builder

This is another way for students to tell a story using a map! Drop pins, add images, video or text to share your virtual tour. Once a tour is created it can be shared to the gallery or exported as a KML file and added as a layer to Google Earth. Unfortunately, this doesn’t have the same collaborative features My Maps does, but the visual display and easy organization is really nice!

5. Google Earth Engine

There are a lot of data sets out there and Google Earth Engine enables you to track, measure and visualize changes over time. You can look at water patterns and how the Earth’s surface has changed over time. Use the Time Lapse link to see how development is changing the landscape of your community. Being able to visualize the data and changes helps to have meaningful conversations with students.

[Tweet “”We may not be able to physically go everywhere, but virtually the possibilities are limitless.” – @sbehmer #edtech”]

6. Youvisit

Telling your story doesn’t always have to be linear! Thank you to Brooke Whitlow, @BWhitlowEdTech, for sharing Youvisit.com! This site lets you easily create an interactive virtual tour. You can capture your image via any 360 camera app or simply with a Theta 360 Camera (I have the Theta S) and then build your tour with hotspots to add information or highlight key features. Check out the tour that was shared with us by James Allen of the Eminence EDhub. My head is spinning with ideas about how students could not only create a virtual tour of their school but what about helping tell the story of their community and embedding historical events or what their community is known for?

7. Wikitude

Using Geo Tools to create Location Based AR- This is what excited me the most! Think, make your very own Pokemon Go! Big thanks to Micah Shippee, @micahshippee, for sharing how to use Wikitude to upload your MyMap pins to create your placemarks to get started, but if you want to have more than just text you need to create your placemarks using getech.com and then export them into Wikitude and use the Wikitude app on your mobile device. If you want to learn how to create your own here is Micah’s presentation. Below is a screenshot of my first location based AR using My Maps and Wikitude on the Google Campus!

8. Metaverse AR

I love the idea of location based AR and having students move around and create it. Jeff Crews, @crewsertech, for showing a few of us Metaverse. This lets you build an series of interactive experiences and turn them into quests, so you can have a scene pop up on your phone when you are in the right location and answer a question or get a clue to move you onto the next location on the map! Building it on the web is slick with a series of drop downs and then you run the app and the icon will show up on your phone or tablet when you start the app! I’m already starting to work on building a quest for around our agency for new staff as part of our orientation Breakout EDU!

The view from my phone with a question that appears.

9. Theta 360 & Street View

Props to Dean Phillips, @DeanPhillipsMT, for giving me a crash course of his Doing More with 360 session and walking me through how to use the Theta S to add to Google Street View. You can use the camera app within Street View or just connect the Theta to capture a 360 image in one click. The nice thing is you can publish your images for others to see and even stitch them together. Donnie Piercey, @mrpiercey, put together a really nice resource to help folks create their own Street View.

10. Google Expeditions

There were a couple of updates to Expeditions while we were in Mountain View, one is the first-person play experience, so students can go through an Expedition independently and see facts pop up for them or listen to information too. The other update is the ability for the guide device to add annotations on the 360 image!

There is also a Moonshot Incubator Project that takes Google Expeditions in Hawaii to another level with lesson plans and images to learn all about our 50th state.

Check out the Google Carboard and Expeditions Ultimate Resource Guide.

It was exciting to hear that the mission of Google Earth is what we do in our classrooms: “Explore everywhere. Learn about anywhere. Create experiences. Share stories.” These tools not only provide our students with opportunities to explore the world, but they are also able to capture their own images and share their stories with others! A huge shout out to John Bailey, Emily Henderson, @earthoutreach, and the amazing team of guides who facilitated the three days of learning!

Stacy Behmer

Stacy is a former elementary and middle school teacher and also spent some time as a district technology director. She is currently the Coordinator of Digital Learning from Grant Wood AEA in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she works with a team of technology consultants providing technology integration support and training to teachers and administrators. Stacy serves on the Iowa Technology Education Connection board which holds a couple of conferences and a series of workshops across the state promoting technology rich learning environments. She is a Google for Education Certified Innovator and Certified Trainer and enjoys learning from and with teachers and students new ways to incorporate technology in teaching and learning!  Feel free to connect with Stacy on Twitter or Google+.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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credit: Google Expeditions Program

Google Expeditions Goes AR!

Whaattt??!! Google Expeditions is super cool and allows us to take our students on virtual treks across the globe. But Google Expeditions is about to get a whole lot better! Google Expeditions with Augmented Reality is coming in the Fall of 2017.

We don’t know a lot yet, but I got so excited I had to blog about it. Here’s what I have learned so far from the Google Expeditions AR web page and the Google I/O announcement.

“Expeditions AR uses Google’s Tango technology to map the physical classroom and placed 3D objects. Students can walk all around the objects, get in close to spot details, and step back to see the full picture.”

[Tweet “Augmented Reality with #GoogleExpeditions is Coming!! #ARVRinEDU #googleedu #gttribe #edtech”]

What Can Expeditions AR Do?

It looks very promising! Watch this video to see what is on the horizon.

Below is an animation of the Expeditions AR experience:

Google Expeditions AR

How to Get Access to Expeditions AR

The AR program will be piloted in schools in the Fall of 2017. Similar to the roll out of Expeditions, the AR version will roll out through Expeditions Pioneer Program. Teachers and schools that are interested can sign up here.

[Tweet “Sign up to Pioneer the #GoogleExpeditions AR program in your school! #VRARinEDU #googleedu #edtech”]

That’s all I know so far. I will be adding this information to The Ultimate Google Cardboard and Expeditions Resource Guide and blogging about this as we learn more.

Learn more about Google Expeditions and Google Cardboard

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Lessons Learned from a Google Expeditions Pilot

Below are 8 Tips for a Google Expeditions Pilot from Heather Kilgore, an Instructional Technology Coordinator for Commerce ISD in Commerce, Texas, where she shares the lessons learned from their Google Expeditions pilot program. As we all begin to find ways to bring Google Expeditions, Google Cardboard, and other virtual reality experiences to our classrooms, I thought it was important to share this first-hand experience with you. The first time we try anything, we always learn a lot of lessons!

Download The Infographic

We also put these tips into an infographic that you can download here (PDF).

This is a guest post written by Heather Kilgore.

The Spark: The Google Expeditions Explorer Program

My name is Heather Kilgore, and I am the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Commerce ISD in Commerce, Texas. One of my passions is bringing the latest and greatest in educational technology to the teachers and students in my district. This is what led to our venture into the world of Google Expeditions. I was scrolling through my Twitter feed one day when I noticed a local school district Tweeting pictures of their students using the cardboard devices in the Explorer Program. Virtual reality had intrigued me, but I couldn’t grasp the classroom connection until I saw what Google was piloting. I knew that the students of Commerce ISD needed to experience this!

Our Commerce ISD Google Expeditions adventure began in the spring of 2016 when the Google Expeditions Explorer Program came to Commerce Elementary School. When I saw this student reaching out to touch the fish and the coral in her scene, I knew that this was something that all of our students needed to experience!

[Tweet “8 Tips for a #GoogleExpeditions Pilot by @TechyKilgore #SUL #gttribe #VRinEdu #googleedu”]

Tip #1: Get Administrator Buy-In

It is always important to get buy-in and support from your administrators and teacher leaders. Our early adopters in the district were quick to reserve the devices, but we needed the support of the campus administrators. At the end of a principal’s meeting in December, our campus and central office administrators went on an Expedition of their own! Many emails to teachers went out that afternoon from principals encouraging the use of the devices and expressing their excitement.

Tip #2: Explore Alternative Funding Options

Since the kits weren’t available for purchase at that time, I took pictures of the Google Expeditions kit that Google brought for the Explorer program. The pieces were available for purchase on Amazon so I priced the kit out. With the pieces that I chose, I estimated that two 30-device kits would cost $6,600. This was beyond my budget capabilities, so grants were my only option. Every spring, the Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation accepts grant proposals for innovative classroom projects. I wrote the grant and was awarded $6,600 for 2 sets devices, travel case, iPads, and router to run the application.

Funding pilot programs can always be a struggle. Be sure to explore all of your funding options, grants from foundations, DonorsChoose.org, etc. There is money out there if you are willing to dig a little and do the work.

Tip #3: Research Devices Carefully

Do your research and select a device that meets the minimum specifications for the Google Expeditions application. If you want the full effect of 360 Expeditions, be sure you buy devices with the accelerometer and gyroscope capability. If you buy them individually and not from a company, be sure and test a single device before purchasing them in bulk.

The components of the kit were ordered in the new budget year and they started arriving in July 2016. Everything was unpacked, custom stickers were designed, and we were ready to set up the devices. This is when I found the problem. Did you know that there is more than one model of the ASUS ZenPhone 2? When I took the pictures of the Explorer kit, I didn’t realize that there was more than one model of this device. The phones that I had priced on Amazon were around $79 each, but they lacked the accelerometer and gyroscope are that are required to make the Expedition app function correctly. This was a huge hiccup in the rollout of these devices since my grant money was spent on 60 wrong devices. The correct devices are around $229 each and I was able to find a company that would sell me 30 of the devices for a discounted $6000.

My Technology Director was just as passionate about this project as I was so he graciously funded the new devices for this project. With the new devices in, we were finally up and running in November 2016.

Check out this crowd-sourced list of compatible devices shared by other educators.

Tip #4: Preview the Expedition and Plan Your Lesson

There is a lot of content in each Expedition, including a teacher guide and script. View all of the scenes in the Expedition prior to the lesson in which you will use them. Not all of the information is applicable to your standards or grade level. Take the content and make it your own. Decide which scenes to cover, where to pause, and how to connect it to your learning goals.

Tip #5: Test with a Small Group of Students

Before you do your first Expedition with a full class, test will a small group of students first. They can help you find what doesn’t work but on a smaller scale. You never know what little things you may want to tweak with the devices, and you want to get in a little practice leading your first expeditions.

Tip #6: Adjust the Device Settings

Our first Expedition was with a small group of seven fourth-grade students who weren’t able to attend the annual trip to the State Capitol in Austin. Instead, these students were my guinea pigs with the Expeditions kit. This was a great learning experience for me. By the time all of the devices were set up, the first phone went to sleep. They are all set to stay awake for 30 minutes now. Of course, the students were in awe of the new technology and learned a lot about the University of Texas at Austin.

There may be other things you learn during your test group that can help you tweak the device settings to better fit your needs and the needs of your students.

Tip #7: Model Best Practices and Processes

Model Use of the Kits for Teachers and Students

Because these devices are fairly delicate, I travel with the kit on the first trip to a new classroom. I show the teachers and students alike how to handle the devices and how to work the program. My hope is to create a culture of respect for these devices to ensure their longevity in our district!

[Tweet “”Create a Culture of Respect for these #GoogleExpeditions Devices” – @TechyKilgore #googleedu”]

Have Students Sit, Not Stand

Have the students sit, but twist in their chair to view the Expeditions. Standing is dangerous as the students can get dizzy and fall over.

Let the Kids, “Ooh,” and “Ahh!”–Noise is Okay!

Let the kids “ooh,” and “ahh,” over the experience! I explained that they needed to keep the viewer up to their eyes and listen to their teacher read the content from the scene, but that I wanted them to enjoy the Expedition. Complete silence wasn’t expected!

Tip #8: Share the Journey

You want the enthusiasm to spread like wildfire in your school, so take videos, pictures and share with your campus and beyond. Share your tips, successes, failures, and more to help other teachers learn from your mistakes.

[Tweet “You want the enthusiasm to spread like wildfire in your school! #googleedu #googleexpeditions #gttribe”]

Check out our playlist of YouTube videos showing our journey with Google Expeditions:

• Our first teacher-led Expedition was a first-grade classroom. They visited the Solar System and covered their TEKS over the sun and the moon. While they were there, the students learned a little about the planets and the Milky Way galaxy.
• Our next Expedition was to the North Pole with a Kindergarten classroom in December. Mrs. Stephanie Pullen took her students to see the actual North Pole with all of the snow and ice. This gave them a real frame of reference to pull from when thinking about where Santa lives! After they visited the real location, they visited the Santa’s Workshop Expedition to visit Santa and his elves plus see the toy workshop in action.
• Another first-grade classroom also went to visit the Solar System. Dee Dee Harris does a wonderful job leading the students through the Expedition pulling prior knowledge that they learned in class and adding the content embedded in the application.

Connect with Heather Kilgore

The Ultimate Cardboard & Expeditions Resource Guide

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Google Cardboard Resources

What is Google Cardboard?

• Google Cardboard for Android
• Google Cardboard for iOS

Get Cardboard

• Get Google Cardboard
• Build Your Own Google Cardboard
• How to Choose a Virtual Reality Device for Your Classroom

Create Google Cardboard Experiences

• Google Cardboard Camera app for Android
• Google Cardboard Camera app for iOS

Image	Description	Price
	I am Cardboard V2	$14.99
	Samsung Gear VR (latest edition)	$89.99
	Viewmaster Deluxe VR Viewer	$39.63

Google Cardboard Links and Resources

• Comprehensive Guide to Google Cardboard in Education (from Edtechnocation)
• Google Cardboard Resource page (from Edtechnocation)
• 12 Ways to Use Google Cardboard in Your Class (from Ditch That Textbook)
• 10 Simple Ways to Use Google Cardboard in the Classroom (from Edtech 4 Beginners)
• Google VR (from EdTech Sages)

Google Cardboard and Google Expeditions Presentations

• Heather Kilgore’s Google Expeditions in Commerce ISD from TCEA 2017
• Jaime Donally’s AR/VR presentation from TCEA 2017
• Ann Witherspoon’s WerVR presentation from TCEA 2017
• Julie Brem’s Google Expeditions presentation from TCEA 2017
• Bruce Ellis’ Great Lessons are in Sight with Google Cardboard presentation from TCEA 2017

Shake Up Learning Virtual Reality Playlist

Click here to go to my Virtual Reality YouTube Playlist

Social Media and Hashtags

• Google VR Cardboard Apps G+ Collection
• Google VR 360 Video G+ Collection
• Google VR on G+
• Google Cardboard for Education G+ Community
• #GoogleCardboard
• #GoogleExpeditions
• #Expeditions
• #VRinEdu
• #VRARinEdu
• @GoogleVR (official Twitter) 
• @GoogleforEdu

Web-based Apps

• YouTube 360 Videos
  • Jim Sill’s 360 YouTube Playlist
• 360 Tours from Google Cultural Institute
• Google Treks 3D
• Chrome VR Experiments

Find Other VR Apps, Resources, and Updates

• WEARVR
• Inside VR & AR
• The Best Educations VR Apps for Google Cardboard

[Tweet “Wow! Check out this #GoogleCardboard Guide for Teachers! #googleedu #gttribe #edtech”]

My Virtual Reality Pinterest Board

What’s missing? What are your favorite resources? Please share in the comments below.

Connect with Shake Up Learning

Email me directly: Kasey[at]ShakeUpLearning.com

Click on any of the icons below to connect with Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning on social media.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Choosing a VR Headset and Smart Device for Your Classroom – Part 3

*This post is sponsored by Samsung. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Now that we have covered virtual reality and Google Expeditions in Part 1 of this series, and how to apply these ideas to the classroom in Part 2, let’s explore the actual devices that you need. If you are wondering if your classroom is ready for virtual reality, be sure to take a look at this infographic by Samsung. There is a brand new frontier in education: immersive virtual reality!

[Tweet “There is a brand new frontier in education: immersive virtual reality! @SamsungEdu”]

Did you miss Part 1 & 2

• Part 1: Getting Started with Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions
• Part 2: How to Use Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions in the Classroom
• The Ultimate Google Cardboard and Expeditions Resource Guide

The Devices

There are three different devices to think about at this point in time: 1) a virtual reality headset, 2) a smartphone for the student device, and 3) a tablet or phone for the teacher device. So the biggest question I am receiving is what to buy. I want to emphasize this is a moving target in terms of technology. Virtual Reality headsets are still very new and come in a wide variety of price points. Smartphones are not something we are used to buying for the classroom, which seems to be the biggest hangup to making this happen. What in the world do we buy?

First, let me say, this article was VERY difficult to write. The technology is new, and there are lots of choices, but making this work at the classroom level is not as easy. I do not want to steer anyone in the wrong direction, so please keep in mind that this technology is new and rapidly changing. Do your research! There is not a one size fits all answer for every classroom and every budget.

Best Buy and others are starting to put together classroom kits, complete with wifi, but we are still talking about buying mobile phones, even though we do not need cellular plans. I have hope that soon we will have a clear option for the classroom. In the meantime, here are some device ideas to get started.

Choose Your VR Headset First

Since your headset will dictate the device compatibility, I suggest you choose your headset first, paying close attention to the compatibility specifications. Please note, that although we have focused on Google Expeditions in this series, there are many other compatible VR experiences that work with Google Cardboard and many other versions of VR headsets. So you are not limited to just what Expeditions has to offer. I will share some other VR resources outside of Google Expeditions in Part 4 of this series. But the more advanced (and usually more expensive) headset that you choose will often require a more advanced smartphone or device. (See also this great article from Mashable: How to Choose the Right VR Headset.)

[Tweet “How to Choose a Virtual Reality Device for Your Classroom @SamsungEdu”]

Google Cardboard

Of course, the idea behind Google Cardboard is to make it low cost and accessible to the masses. But you would be surprised how many are manufacturing their version of Google Cardboard and the wide range of prices you will find.

• Be sure to look for version two of Google Cardboard (button is on the top). It is a much better design, but version one can still be purchased from several vendors.
• The versions with the strap are recommended!
• I also recommend you buy one or two to test before committing to a class set.

Below are some Google Cardboard options:

Image	Description	Price (Amazon)
	EightOnes Google Cardboard with strap	$9.99/each
	Topmaxions Google Cardboard with strap	$11.99/each
	Owl Cardboard with strap	$9.99/each
	I am cardboard v2	$14.99/each

NEW!!! Google Daydream View

I had to mention this one, even though it is brand new and will work best with the new Google Pixel phone. Google Daydream View is much more robust than Google Cardboard and more expensive of course with a price tag of $79. But when you see the features, I think you will find that price tag quite reasonable (and cheaper than some other choices). However, this is new and will have more robust requirements for the phone in order to run the Daydream App, right now only available on Android. Since this is limited and requires a brand new phone, this is most likely NOT the best choice for your classroom in 2016, but could become more viable in 2017. Watch the video below to see the potential of this awesome headset and app.

Samsung Gear VR

There are many other compatible options for VR headsets besides the Google Cardboard version. Below are some options for you and your students. Some of the more popular options are the Samsung Gear VR shown in the video below. The Gear VR has been around for a while now, and there are different versions available. Be sure to research the one that is right for your classroom. The latest version of the Samsung Gear VR is compatible with the latest Samsung smartphones: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6, or Galaxy S6 edge.

Image	Description	Price (Amazon)
	Samsung Gear VR Headset	$99.50

See the Samsung Gear VR in action in the video below from ISTE 2016.

Compatible Devices for Google Expeditions

As I mentioned earlier, consider this a moving target because the technology is advancing rapidly. Even though an older, cheaper phone may be compatible today, any of the developers of VR applications could update the application to require other types of hardware specifications. But as it stands as of the publishing of this article, here are the specs you need for Google Expeditions from Google’s support page.

– Required specifications:

– A gyroscope and accelerometer: This is essential for determining orientation and doing head-tracking in virtual reality viewer.
– Android 4.4 or later OR iOS 8.0 or later
– 1GB ram

– Even if your phones meet the required specifications, some devices may still not be able to use Expeditions. For more certainty and a better experience, we recommend some additional specifications and features.
Recommended specifications:

– GPU comparable with an Adreno 330
– High resolution screen: 720p or 1080p is recommended.
– Minimum of 2GB ram, 3 or 4 would be better
– 2.4ghz and 5ghz wifi support
– VR viewer compatible screen size (check the specifications for your viewer for recommended screen size)

Recommended Phone Devices for Google Expeditions

Here is a spreadsheet of compatible devices for Google Expeditions with notes from teachers that are using these in their classroom. You will notice there are several devices with caveats that will not be completely compatible, but some features will work.
Many schools are beginning VR implementation in small pilots, and that’s really what makes sense at this time. Stay tuned for Part 4, where I will share more resources for virtual reality and Google Expeditions in the classroom.

The Ultimate Google Cardboard and Expeditions Resource Guide

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This self-paced, e-course includes EVERYTHING you need to know to pass the Trainer Skills Assessment AND complete the application requirements, including:

• 30+ Video Lessons (including the archive)
• Private Google+ Community
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• The Ultimate Google Certified Trainer Planner
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© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Virtual Reality in the Classroom – Part 2

*This post is sponsored by Samsung. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Virtual Reality has the power to transform the future of learning. By giving students an interactive, three-dimensional learning environment, we have the potential to reach learners in ways previously never conceived. For a closer look at the future of virtual reality in education, dive into this article from the Samsung Insights blog: Immersive Virtual Reality: The Next Frontier in Education. The article explores the growth of virtual reality and the implications in both K-12 and higher education.

Imagine for a moment immersing your students in the ultimate learning environment for your lesson…What does it look like? How can students interact with the environment? How can this environment better engage students and help them form a deeper understanding of the content? Imagine the possibilities of virtual learning environments and transporting your students to places they could never go before!

Did you miss Part 1 in this series? Getting Started with Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions

Part 3: How to Choose a Virtual Reality Device for Your Classroom

The Ultimate Google Cardboard and Expeditions Resource Guide

[Tweet “How to Use Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions in the Classroom #ARVRinEDU #edtech #googleedu”]

Playing around with VR, Google Cardboard, or another headset is easy on your own or sharing with a couple of students or friends, but how do we bring this to the masses—the entire classroom of students? This part is not so easy, but many are beginning to find ways to make it happen. Let’s explore the application of virtual reality in the classroom.

The Impact of Virtual Reality on Education

Below is a great TEDx Talk by Alex Faaborg, a virtual reality designer for Google who talks about designing virtual reality for education.

How to Use Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions in the Classroom

As you begin to dip your toes (and your students’) into the virtual reality waters, you will discover an ever-burgeoning supply of resources and videos to support your curriculum and learning goals. Let’s first explore what Google Expeditions has to offer.

In case you missed Part 1 of this series, Google defines this product as, “Google Expeditions enable teachers to bring students on virtual trips to places like museums, underwater, and outer space. Expeditions are collections of linked virtual reality (VR) content and supporting materials that can be used alongside existing curriculum. These trips are collections of virtual reality panoramas — 360° panoramas and 3D images — annotated with details, points of interest, and questions that make them easy to integrate into curriculum already used in schools. Google is working with a number of partners, including: WNET, PBS, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the American Museum of Natural History, the Planetary Society, David Attenborough with production company Alchemy VR and many of the Google Cultural Institute museum partners to create custom educational content that spans the universe.”

The video below will help you see the possibilities of Google Expeditions in the classroom, as we see it from the eye of a middle school student.

[Tweet “Reach learners in new ways with Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions @SamsungEdu”]

There are HUNDREDS of Google Expeditions now available and shared on this spreadsheet. Here you can discover all of the virtual field trips that are available, as well as additional lesson plans and materials that are available and crowd-sourced from other teachers. You can also share your own. So not only can you explore the globe with your students, but you can also take college tours (see also: Virtual Reality Tours Can Help Every Student Pick the Right College from the Samsung Insights blog), and explore career expeditions as well.

You can use the Google Expeditions app without Google Cardboard or any type of VR headset. It is not technically VR or immersive, but high definition 360 video exploration. This is not quite as engaging, but still a useful tool if you do not have access to a class set of devices and headsets. 360 videos can be shared by two or three students on one compatible device or part of a learning station.

Take the time to explore the spreadsheet of Expeditions to see if any of these expeditions fit well into your curriculum.

We will explore additional ways to use virtual reality beyond Google Expeditions later in this series. So stay tuned for even more resources.

Be Cautious with Their Young Eyes

When you open the Expeditions app on iOS or Android, you will first see the guidelines that you must review and accept. Google Expeditions is only for users older than age 7, and should not be used without adult supervision.

A Note About Age Restrictions: There are applications for VR at any grade level. However, most manufacturers do not recommend extended time with VR headsets for those under the age of 12-13.
Oculus Rift and Samsung’s Gear VR headset have a 13+ age rating. Sony’s PlayStation VR is not to be used by children under the age of 12. And though some do not specify an age limit, most encourage you to be cautious with children under 12. This is just like any device that requires your eyes to stay focused on something up close for extended periods of time. There’s nothing inherent to virtual reality itself that has been found to be harmful. Remember to TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS when using VR with students. If you would like to learn more, check out this article from Digital Trends: Is VR Safe for Kids?

After accepting the Expeditions guidelines, you have the option to “learn more,” which will take you to the Google Expeditions support page which was also shared in Part 1 of this series.

[Tweet “Remember to TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS when using VR with students @SamsungEdu”]

Be a Guide or Be An Explorer

Once you have identified an Expedition to integrate into your classroom, take the time to play and explore on your own so you know what to expect before trying it in the classroom. This could be a fun experiment during a department meeting!

After you have accepted the Google Expeditions guidelines, the app will prompt you to choose your role. You can choose to be the leader of an expedition (the teacher role) or be an explorer (the student role). Then you will confirm which Google account you wish to use. Next, the app will begin looking for “explorers” that are on your wifi. Although VR requires a smartphone device, they only need wifi access. The app is very user-friendly and will walk you through each step. As the leader, you can see where your explorers are in the expedition, as well as highlights and details that you can share with your students along the way. There are even guiding questions to help engage your students in the content.

For a great step-by-step guide, please visit Michael Fricano’s awesome blog, Edtechnocation, and check out the awesome Expeditions Guide he created for teachers.  (Thanks, Mike!)

Where you decide to go from here, is up to you. Will Google Expeditions enhance the learning in your classroom? Only you know the answer to that. It is definitely a great place to start.

Virtual Reality Resources for Teachers (and more coming soon!)

I have been curating VR resources, including those for Google Expeditions on a Pinterest Board, and a YouTube Playlist. I will share more resources in the coming posts in this series, but if you are ready for more, feel free to explore!

[pinterest-master]

In the next post in this series, we will look at moving beyond Google Expeditions. Stay tuned for more, and subscribe to Shake Up Learning to get all the updates!

Did you miss Part 1 in this series? Getting Started with Virtual Reality and Google Expeditions

Part 3: How to Choose a Virtual Reality Device for Your Classroom

The Ultimate Google Cardboard and Expeditions Resource Guide

Want to Shake Things Up in Your School or District? Bring Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning to You!

• Change is the New Black: Embrace the Digital Learning Revolution (keynote)
• Geeking Out Over Google Classroom
• How to Get Google Certified!
• Transform the Learning with Google Expeditions and Virtual Reality
• Interactive Learning with Google Drawings
• G Suite for Administrators
• Digital Differentiation with G Suite
• and many more!

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© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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What is Virtual Reality?

Is Virtual Reality Ready for the Classroom?

In a post on the Samsung Insights blog, you will find the infographic below: Is Virtual Reality Ready for the Classroom? This infographic displays the results of a survey commissioned by Samsung to see if teachers were ready and receptive to virtual reality in the classroom.

[Tweet “Is Virtual Reality Ready for the Classroom? [infographic] @SamsungEdu”]

credit: Samsung Insights Blog

What do you think? Do you agree with the survey results? Are you ready to embrace virtual reality? Please feel free to leave your comments below this post.

What is Google Expeditions?

Get the Google Expeditions App

• Google Expeditions for Android
• Google Expeditions for iOS

What is Google Cardboard?

• Google Cardboard for Android
• Google Cardboard for iOS

Get Google Cardboard

Image	Description	Price
	I am Cardboard V2	$14.99
	Samsung Gear VR (latest edition)	$89.99
	Viewmaster Deluxe VR Viewer	$39.63

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© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Getting Started with Google Expeditions and Virtual Reality appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

My Favorite Things and Recommended Resources!

I get a lot of questions about the resources I use, and recommendations for certain tasks. So I thought it would be helpful to create a recommended resource page for educators with all of my favorite things: my favorite web tools, gadgets, books and more.

* The links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking on them, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the free resources on Shake Up Learning!

[Tweet “Shake Up Learning’s favorite resources for blogging, branding and more!”]

WordPress

Grammarly

Grammarly is a WONDERFUL tool for checking your spelling, grammar and more. It also will check for plagiarism, word choice and make suggestions. My writing is far from perfect and I need all the help I can get. Grammarly is a life-saver! CLICK HERE to sign-up for Grammarly. Then install the Grammarly Chrome Extension so it will check your writing across the web: email, social media, blogging, etc.

Canva

Canva is a free and fabulous web tool for creating images, posters, infographics, presentations, flyers and more! Almost all of the images I create for this site and for my social media posts are created with Canva. Canva makes design easy! Plus, it allows me to create original images with my logo and branding. Canva will help you and your students look like you majored in graphic design! CLICK HERE to sign up for Canva.

Picmonkey

Picmonkey is a freemium image and photo editing web tool. I use Picmonkey for quick editing and access to cool themes and images. I often even app smash and create images in Picmonkey.

Picmonkey has lots of little Photoshop-esque editing tools, filters, shadows, borders, and really fun seasonal backgrounds and images. I used Picmonkey to create the background images for the magnetic poetry templates. Such a fun tool for teachers and students.CLICK HERE to sign up for Picmonkey.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a freelance marketplace, where you can get someone to complete a task for you for as little as five dollars. I’ve used Fiverr for advanced programming projects, WordPress troubleshooting, and to create the Shake Up Learning Chrome Extension.CLICK HERE to create a Fiverr account.

Unsplash Photos

Unsplash Photos is a stock photography website where you can get high-quality, royalty-free images for your website, blog, or presentations. “Over 550,000 free (do-whatever-you-want) high-resolution photos brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers.”

I use Unsplash to get eye-catching photos for my keynotes and presentations, and for blog images as well. They also have a great add-on for Google Slides. CLICK HERE to join Unsplash.

99Designs.com

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS

Buffer

Tweetdeck

GADGETS & ACCESSORIES

View-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack

I love my View-Master, and not just because of the retro look. The View-Master brings the power of virtual reality AND augmented reality into ONE device. So you can drop your phone inside and use the same VR compatible apps that work across many other devices, and you can use the special View-Master apps and trigger reels to explore space, National Geographic locations, and more!

JBL Portable BlueTooth Speaker with Audio Cable

When I present, I always have videos! And even though most places have built in sound systems these days, this little speaker comes in handy! It’s super small and fits nicely in the mesh pocket in my Ogio backpack (mentioned below). AND even though it is small, it still produces a nice, loud sound that can easily be heard in a classroom. Oh, and it is Bluetooth but it also has a short audio cable that wraps around the body of the speaker, so it doesn’t get lost. Blue Tooth is great when it works, and if it is your device, but the cable makes it nice to share as well. This speaker has saved me so many times!

 Safeco Zenergy Ball Chair

I have seen several versions of these over the last couple of years but discovered this model at SXSWEdu. It was the first one that I found comfortable and decided to purchase one for my home office. It does contain an exercise ball so it will help you engage your core as well!

Looking for Book Recommendations?

Check out this post: 50 Awesome Books for Teachers!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post My Favorite Things and Recommended Resources appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

[Tweet “16 Things for Teachers to Try in 2016! #edtech #gafe #googleedu”]

[Tweet “16 Things for Teachers to Try in 2016! #edtech #gafe #googleedu”]

What are your goals for 2016? There are so many new and exciting things to try both in and out of the classroom. So I put together a list of 16 Things for Teachers to Try in 2016 to help inspire educators to try something new this year. What will you try? What would you add to this list? Please add to the comments below.

1. Google Cardboard: This year you will see both virtual and augmented reality take-off in 2016! Google Cardboard makes virtual reality accessible to the masses and with the advent of Google Expeditions, Google has made virtual reality not only cheap and convenient but also focused on using it to engage students in the classroom. Google Cardboard has also been making the news a lot lately! Did you see how a doctor used Cardboard to save a baby’s life? Virtual reality, or VR, is a game-changer across the board, and it will revolutionize learning. Get your own Google Cardboard now, or build your own. Be sure you get version 2.0, both versions work, but version 2 is a much better design. Look for more blog posts on Google Cardboard coming soon! Curious about VR? Search “VR,” in your mobile app store. You will find tons of virtual experiences! (See also Google Cardboard Comes to iOS, now 52 Google Apps for the iPad!)
   

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2. Sketchnoting (or Visual Note-Taking): Research has shown that drawing your notes, even doodling can help anyone learn and remember information better (See research: The Pen is Mightier Than the Keyboard). I am not a sketch artist like some of my friends, Sylvia Duckworth (click to see Sylvia’s fantastic sketches) and Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook (click here to see Matt’s awesome sketchnotes), but I’m trying to learn! I also greatly admire the work of Brad Ovenell Carter . Follow Brad on twitter: @braddo.Two mobile apps to try with sketch noting: Adobe Illustrator Draw and Paper by FiftyThree. I’ve been dabbling with Paper for some time, but my sketches are not ready for primetime. But that’s not the point! You don’t have to be an artist to use this method for learning. I also have been using the Pencil stylus by FiftyThree. Look for me on Instagram sharing my sketches soon and #failingforward. Also, be sure to check out these excellent books on sketch notes: Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde, and The Sketchnote Workbook by Mike Rohde. Below is a great introductory video to the concept of visual note-taking:
   

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   [Tweet “Try sketchnoting with your students this year! Great way to help them learn and remember!”]

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3. Blogging: The power of sharing your voice cannot be overstated! I started blogging just under two years ago and it transformed my career and my learning. Blogging with your students will give new meaning to their writing and their work! The power of sharing your voice, your learning and your passions online cannot be overrated. (See my post on The #ShakeUpLearning Challenge: Share Your Voice.) Start simple! The bottom line is just to get writing and posting on a regular basis. Don’t get caught up in trying to choose the perfect platform. Perfect is the enemy of done! Already blogging? Maybe you need to re-commit to blogging regularly or offer to mentor someone else who has been putting it off for far too long, and by all means get your students blogging! Here are my 5 Tips for New Bloggers.
   

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4. Podcasting: If blogging isn’t for you, maybe you should share your voice through a podcast. Podcasting has continued to grow like wildfire, and educators across the globe are sharing through this medium every day. If you don’t want to podcast yourself, be sure you take advantage of the all of the phenomenal podcasts that are available online across many different platforms like iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast. Here is a list of some educational podcasts to get you started.
   

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5. Live Streaming: Live streaming is about to take over everything whether we like it or not! My opinion is that teachers should always model a positive social media presence for your students. Find ways to try one of these rapidly growing apps: Periscope, Meerkat, Blab.IM or soon…Facebook! Yep, Facebook is piloting its own live streaming application. THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING! Follow @ShakeUpLearning on Periscope.
   

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6. Wearables: While maybe everyone doesn’t need an Apple Watch, wearables will soon be everywhere. If you don’t quite get it yet, or maybe some of these gadgets don’t fit your teacher’s budget, it’s worth paying attention! Your students will soon be walking in with wearables, and not just watches. Eventually, even our clothing will be connected. Investigate the possibilities of wearables and ALWAYS think about how devices can be used FOR LEARNING, not just a distraction. Check these out: Moto 360 Sport, Apple Watch, Google Glass 2, and this list: 50 Wearable Tech Game Changers for 2016.
   

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7. Start a YouTube Channel: You may already have one and not realize it, but everyone needs a YouTube Channel. Even if you only use it as a curation tool to create playlists of your favorite videos, and playlists for your students. Video content is dominating now that we can stream on just about any device. Click here to learn how to set up your own YouTube Channel. And here are 20 YouTube Channels for Educators to help you find great content, and follow Shake Up Learning on YouTube!Oh, and as a side note, Facebook video is also an excellent way to share your voice. It is now one of the fastest growing mediums for video. Remember the days when we thought Facebook would never have a place in the classroom or the workplace? That is all changing! Check out Facebook for Work.
   [Tweet “Everyone needs a @YouTube Channel! Create, Curate and Share Videos!”]

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8. Google Classroom: Google has made this application specifically FOR students and teachers! Google Classroom is a free application designed to help students and teachers communicate, collaborate, organize and manage assignments, go paperless, and much more! It is a must if you are 1-1 with Google Apps for Education. Not 1-1? No problem, Google Classroom is great for any classroom that regularly uses Google Apps for Education, and for any grade level that has the skills to log into their Google Account. Ready to get started? Check out The Teacher’s Guide to Google Classroom eBook (now available on Amazon), which is loaded with step-by-step directions, screenshots, tips and tricks, and shows both the teacher view and the student view. FREE BONUS: The Student’s Quick Guide to Google Classroom is included for free with this eBook, which includes printable directions and step sheets for students to follow. Get the eBook now! Also check out the 6 Tips for Getting Started with Google Classroom Infographic.Speaking of Google, did you know you can get a FREE Google Cheat Sheets eBook when subscribing to this blog? Get your copy today!
   

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9. Join a Google+ Community: I have been singing the praises of Google+ for a while now, and despite what many think, it isn’t going away. In fact, it just got a major overhaul. But one of my favorite features is Google+ Communities. These communities can be private or public, and offer a fantastic way to share, connect and learn online. I’ve used communities to support blended learning experiences with my students.(13+). You will find a community on just about everything that interests you, and every subject and grade level imaginable. Find the Google Educator Group in your area, and Google Apps for Education communities. There’s something for everyone. Check out my post on 5 Reasons Educators Should Use G+.
   

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10. Gamify a Lesson or Professional Development: Gamification isn’t going anywhere just yet. It is not a fad; gamification is proving to be a viable way to learn. If you haven’t tried it yet, start planning a lesson in 2016. And if you are in a position to deliver professional learning, try gamifing your PD! Take PD to the Next Level with Badges like Denton ISD. Also, check out my gamification Pinterest board for resources.
    1. Create a badge for your students: Speaking of gamification, badges have also become a great motivator for both teachers and students to reach learning goals and show off their accomplishments. You can create badges with a variety of applications, including Google Drawings. I’m also a fan of Credly for the 13+ crowd just because it is fast, clean and easy-to-use. I also have a post on Badges here: 5 Awesome Resources for Badges in the Classroom; and check out one of the most popular posts of 2015 on using badges in professional development!
    2. Create an avatar: Another great way to add a layer of gamification is to have students create avatars for their profiles. Using avatars online help protect student identity and model good digital citizenship skills. Check out this post: 6 Fun and Free Avatar Creators for the iPad.
       

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11. Breakout EDU: Breakout Edu is a way to bring the escape room type of games into the classroom and teach teamwork, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Each game is a puzzle for the students to solved to unlock the box. This unique and engaging way of learning is great for all ages. Check out the Breakout Edu website for more information on how to get started. The video below explains the concept in more detail.
    

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12. Participate in a Voxer Chat: It seems everyone is on Twitter now, but many have not experienced Voxer. Voxer offers a unique way to connect, collaborate and learn with other educators. It is a walkie-talkie app for smartphones that allows you to have not only one-to-one chats but also group chats. You can use the voice feature, or even text message. The messages are all saved so you can listen/read when you have a chance. It can be overwhelming at first, so start small! Follow the #eduvoxer hashtag to see what’s shaking on voxer. It’s also great for family communication.Sarah Thomas created this great Voxer 101 Video:
    

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13. Brand Yourself, Your Work, Your Class and/or Your Campus: Branding is not just for companies anymore. It is becoming a necessity to brand yourself and your online presence. It will especially be important for our students entering the workforce. To get started branding yourself, your work, your classroom or your campus, begin with your website. Choose a style, logo, font and colors that you use consistently. Create social media cover images using tools like Canva to give it a consistent look. Canva has tons of templates that make design and branding easy!
    

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14. 3D Print Something Awesome: Yep, 3D printers are everywhere and are so much fun! If you haven’t experienced one, find one in your district or your area to try. A lot of high schools have them now, and a lot of school maker spaces are investing as well. There are also a lot of local maker spaces popping in cities across the country. Even if you don’t find a 3D printer, find out what the fuss is all about. Maker Spaces are AWESOME! Check out all of the cool things you can print from Makerbot’s Thingiverse.
    

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15. Let Your Students Teach You: I say this ALL THE TIME! In fact, it’s on my Top Ten Tech Tips poster. Don’t be afraid to let your students teach you, especially when it comes to technology! There is no way to know it all these days, and technology changes so quickly that it is no exception. I learn something every time I teach a class, no matter the age group! Be open to letting your students show you a few tips and tricks. Looking for an app that does something specific for your students? Ask them! I bet they know something awesome you can use, and if they don’t, they will be excited to find one for you. Make them a part of the planning process.
    [Tweet “Don’t Be Afraid to Let Your Student’s Teach You in 2016! #edchat”]

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16. Jar of Awesome: Celebrate and remember you and your students’ success and accomplishments with the Jar of Awesome. Every time you reach a milestone, a learning goal, or receive recognition, simply add a slip of paper with the accomplishment to the jar. When you or your students are having a bad day, revisit the jar and how far you have come! See more ideas for the Jar of Awesome here.

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© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post 16 Things Teachers Should Try in 2016 [infographic] appeared first on Shake Up Learning.