360 Degree Videos + Geoguessr

Immersive Video Hooks

The 360 degree video is gaining popularity as the technology develops. YouTube even has a dedicated 360 degree video channel. As the name suggests, you are able to view the scene in all directions. You don't need eyes in the back of your head to accomplish this. On a computer click and drag your mouse around the screen to see other angle. The experience is even better using a Google Cardboard viewer because you can turn your head to see all around you. It feels more natural.

These unique new videos would fit well into any curriculum as an engaging introduction to a new topic. Post a set of pre-viewing questions ahead of time or explain to students what you want them to look for as they watch. After watching the video, gather feedback in a large group discussion. Since they can move around the scene in the video, almost every student will have had a different experience while watching. After discussing what they saw, give students the opportunity to go back and view the situation from different perspectives (quite literally).

Check out all of the 360 videos that YouTube has to offer. Sharing these with your class is as easy as pasting a link!

Geoguessr & Geosettr

Geoguessr is an online game that leverages Google Street View technology. Players are shown a random scene from anywhere in the world. They can explore the area around them before dropping a pin on a world map to guess where they are. The closer your guess is to the actual location, the more points awarded. This game is fun for everyone to play, but teachers could use it to engage students in critical thinking as players are forced to find clues in the environment and use that to make predictions as to where it is. 

Instead of being dropped in a random location, use Geosettr to create your own custom game for students with locations that you choose.

Digital Presence & Communication + Image Search + Graphing and Converting with Chrome

Digital Presence and Communication

Many teachers are using Schoology, Google Classroom, or a blend of the two in their classrooms. After questions about expectations for using these tools, we constructed two models that meet the criteria for digital presence and communication.

Teachers should clearly communicate which approach below is being used and select the combination of tools that makes classroom information most accessible for your students and parents. We want to provide teachers with the flexibility to leverage the tools that make the most sense for each subject and grade level.

Click here for a short video on how to add your Classroom Calendar to your Schoology page.

Search Smarter for Images

This video will show you how to search for images that are labeled for reuse so that you (or your students) do not need to obtain permission from the owner of the image to use it. In addition, this video will show you how to search images by size, color, or style. 

Graph with the Chrome Browser

Google can now graph any function entered into the search bar if the word "graph" is entered before the trigonometric function. Example: graph cos(x)

Convert with the Chrome Browser

Google can convert measurements entered into the search bar if the word "convert" is entered before the measurement quantity followed by "to" the unit of measurement you want to convert to. Example: convert 5 gallons to liters