The unique experience was made possible by Art and Design teachers Alan McCluskey and Claire Graham, who recently contacted Google Expeditions and asked them to visit the school.
Google Expeditions is an immersive virtual reality app that allows teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips, immersing students in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life and giving students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom.
The trips are collections of virtual reality 360° panoramas and 3D images, annotated with details, points of interest, and questions that make them easy to integrate into the school curriculum.
The app was developed with a number of partners including Twig, TES, David Attenborough, production company Alchemy VR, the Royal Collection Trust and many of the Google Cultural Institute museum partners, to create custom educational content.
Jennifer Holland, Google Expeditions Program Manager, said: “Expeditions is a powerful learning tool. It provides a unique opportunity for supplemental learning by giving students new ways of exploring the concepts and places they are studying. We've been thrilled to see teachers use Expeditions to bring abstract concepts to life and provide students with a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom, infusing learning with excitement and fun."
Alan McCluskey said: “This was a fun and immersive learning and teaching experience that the pupils fully engaged with, describing it as ‘amazing’, ‘best day ever’ and ‘an excellent experience’.”
Education Convenor Alistair Berrill said: “This sounds a great way for all pupils to enjoy a vivid experience of other countries and cultures, and all without parents having to worry about the expense of a trip abroad!”
Bannockburn Pupils take Virtual Field Trip
S1 pupils at Bannockburn High School recently enjoyed a school field trip to Mexico City where they walked around the Plaza de las Tres Culturas (Square of Three Cultures) and the Museo Dolores Olmedo, all from the comfort of their own desks.
