Community reviews for Google Cardboard

Advice: it is really important to build put the cardboard units before class. They can be a bit tricky to assemble, even for adults. Drawbacks: Students need to have access to the free smartphones, wifi, the free Cardboard App and Administrative approval

Google Cardboard is a cheap Virtual Reality solution that operates with many 3d immersive applications, most of which are available through Smartphones. I reviewed a number of these applications with my class to get a feel for the technology and to try to assess how this could be used more successfully in the classroom. First, I used the NYTimes Op-Docs application, which is set up easily by entering your phone number; this then sends a small link to your phone which sets up the application. The application itself looks like a multimedia version of a newspaper, with various video article experiences on assorted topics. The first experience I chose was entitled “Notes on Blindness” which is described as such: After he went blind, John Hull used sound to rediscover our rich sensory universe.” I had trouble seeing some of the text and it was hard to align and keep on my face, although at least some of these issues were part of the “blindness” experience. Also, light seemed to drown out a lot of the definition of the picture. A better viewer with appropriate adjustment and size controls might help to alleviate this issues. The video consists of a “blind man” experience where you can view a dim, neon lit image of a field with a few massive trees in the background. The narrator speaks to you and explains how sound and dim images help assist the blind in basic everyday tasks of movement and identification. It was certainly an immersive experience, and emulated the experience of blindness in an illuminating fashion, although the cardboard technology itself did not permit me to enjoy it fully. Next, I watched “Policing in Flint“: a video detailing the everyday experiences of police officers in a depressed American industrial town. The experience is kind of like a documentary. It starts out with the customary title scenes. Once again, I had trouble with the lighting. The first shot is intentionally dark to show the struggles of police officers trying to identify and analyze difficult situations, however, I could make out very little in the image to navigate the initial scenes. I turned up the brightness of my Iphone and it helped a bit. The video follows police officers as they traverse the dangerous territory of Flint. Both of these experiences were great in their ability to transport the student to a foreign location, as well as in their ability to experience someone else’s reality. Finally, I watched “Meditation Journeys: Meditate by the Ocean:”. This video was the most successful, because it utilized bright colors and scenery of the ocean. It was easy and relaxing to watch and you can look at a full panoramic of the scene given. It also includes narration by an expert at meditation, as he gives you tips and tricks on how to relax to the fullest extent. I also tired Ditchthattextbook.com, which is a teacher oriented site that gives suggestions on how to use Google Cardboard technology. This was a lot more successful experience. I tried 3 applications. 1)Go on a Virtual Field Trip with Google Expeditions – I tried Macchu Piccu and the International Space Station. These site can be explore by moving your head to view the sites in panoramic detail. 2)Walk the Streets – This is basically an extension of Google Maps, but it was also easily my favorite application. I am a map/travel junkie and I constantly look at maps and study distances between various locations. I tried some of my favorite cities that I had visited before, and the experience was just as immersive as being there. I tried a “bar crawl” moving between places that I was familiar with. At times it was hard to control, but the basic experience was immersive and enlightening. I could see this being useful in a classroom that requires a visual element to history, geography, or storytelling. 3)Go on Adventures with Discovery Channel – I tried swimming with sharks, as well as a “survivor” scenario. The app is parallel to the experiences that are portrayed on Discovery Channel shows. At times, it seemed like it was just an immersive video, but in other instances the app really gave the feeling of being part of the experience. While these applications for Google Cardboard were useful, the best apps were these last 3 that used the technology as a controlled simulator for exploration. Hopefully, as the technology improves so will the imaginative input and methods that display the possibilities of this important, immersive experience.

It is my first time to try VR-related product and applications, and actually I could not use the Cardboard in the classroom. However, while exploring many apps, I found that Google Expeditions app. Using my iPad (teacher's controller), I can control students' mobile devices (students' cardboard). It allows that a teacher shares the same contents with students, and create in-class activities. There are not so many contents about language learning yet, more visualized listening activities or speaking or role play activities in a authentic setting could be possible in the future.

As a tooI, I do believe it has value for those students outside of my limited scope. In testing it with my son, I found that he was riveted by the ability to explore space. He shouted about the Saturn and the "solar system" around that planet itself. He was a bit frustrated by the speed of movement through space and the initial awkwardness of the device (you must get the head strap). Overall he found it be a great way to explore and that is where I think this excels. Wonder and exploration are missing from their lessons sometimes, and this tool can bring that back at a relatively inexpensive price.

My experience and rating was average for two reasons. The first reason was the difficulty setting up the tool to use. I found setting up the box and programming the settings a little difficult even though instructions were provided. Then I had trouble finding apps on the store that were compatible with or designed for the product. Lastly on this area, I think it would require class smart phones because every time I got an email, text, or call the gameplay was interrupted. My second area of concern was more personal as after I tried the educational apps (and a few of the pure entertainment ones) I felt quite dizzy and had a headache the rest of the day. I also get these symptoms when watching 3D movies in a theater, going on 3D rides or rapid moving ones at theme parks. I know I am in the minority of people who get these symptoms, but I also know it is not rare to get them. Other than those two reasons, I think this product is good for edutainment purposes. I felt that most of the apps I tried were more like games that teach rather than lessons that are entertaining.

It would serve my students better if the viewers came premade. I know there are places one can purchase assembled VR Viewers, but my school chose to get a version that required assembly. The 7th grade students had a really hard time assembling them and finally we just used the 5 that we got together that worked and shared them. Ideally, I'd love to have a class set so students could all be working in VR is that was their choice for the day. Another problem is access to devices. Students needed to pre-download the applications into their own devices. Schools are more focused than ever on acquiring devices like tablet and netbooks/laptops, but not smaller devices like iPods. If all the stars aligned, I would use this as often as I could to explore setting in novels and short stories students are reading for class. I could also use this with students who are researching topics that can be explored using VR. It would provide some students with another mode of learning , after traditional and digital modes, the virtual world is one that students could really engage in and learn a lot through.

I thought the tool was great! There is a bit of a learning curve in understanding how to position the glasses and select items on the screen. One issue was my phone kept sliding out of the holder so I had to hold it in place. Also, I think some of my students would be resistant to wearing the head strap because it is a little awkward. Lastly, I thought the content was a little blurry or maybe just slightly fuzzy at times. On the positive side, I love the visual stimulation it offers. I feel this tool would enhance many of the skills we work on in class. Google Cardboard could be effectively used with any age student in my opinion.

I think the product is great. I particularly like the way it allows you to have a decent VR view of places you may not visit or things you may never get to see in person. I anticipate it would be more effective with younger learners. It gives them a wonderful interactive experience that promotes participatory learning.

I see Google Cardboard and VR as a two-sided tool. One can be the user of this technology or the "watcher" of the videos. Or one can be the creator using this technology. Teaching High School I think we would quickly move past the excitement of underwater ocean explorations, etc. I was thinking that my high school students could create their own 360 videos as a project and have other classmates video and score their videos. Almost like a VR competition. With the expensiveness of 360 cameras lessening, I feel that if I purchased one for my class, I could have students borrow the camera for a week or so at a time and have groups create their own VR explorations/videos. I think that this type of technology will only get better and we're just now starting to see this surface. In the next few years I could see almost every grammar school student going on virtual field trips. At the secondary level I would see this more as a project-based application. I feel that the success of a teachers lesson around this is directly related to the effort in planning the lesson. A well thought-out lesson and appropriate execution of the lesson will absolutely enhance the learning experience.

I prefer to break up my teaching style and approach to the weekly lessons as much as possible to keep the interest level high. When the students are smiling and excitedly commenting about a lesson then I know I have higher chances of them coming back to class next week and them not skipping class. I think this would definitely be an educational tool the class would be excited over.