Imagine being able to take a child anywhere they wanted to go, guide them through any of the Seven Wonders of the World, or even take them to the moon. Students at Lakeview Elementary school are doing just that through virtual field trips.
The teacher picks the destination - within seconds kids can be taken to the ancient ruins in Machu Picchu or the Great Wall of China.
“Teachers are always looking for ways to bring learning to life for kids and so what they are looking at -- they are immersed in whatever environment they've chosen,” said Tammy Lind.
“I saw a sun far away,” said a child who explored the surface of the moon on Thursday.
Things come to life with Google Expedition, which are virtual-reality viewers made of cardboard boxes and a cell phone. Teachers then use a Google app to guide them.
“To see kids so excited - you know, the first time they pick up the viewer and see - a kid who has never left South Milwaukee - dropped in the middle of a rain forest is - that's my favorite part,” said Lind.
Students get to see what they are learning about to be understand the subject.
These 2nd graders are looking at the surface of the moon --- which is so much more enriching and enhanced than just reading it.
“There's robots that people want to make - an astronaut left his footprint on the moon and then he left,” said Kataryna Mares.
While student feel like they can virtually-walk on the surface of the moon -- this field-trip is best taken sitting down.
“Our teacher said that if you spun too fast you could get really dizzy and that actually happened.”
