Google Cardboard

This week I was able to get a quick peek into the Arctic. I then went on a whaling expedition where a 40-ton humpback whale breached right over the bow of our boat. Thanks to virtual reality and a wonderful presentation on Google Cardboard from some of my peers at Jacksonville State University, I was able to do all this from the comfort of our 72-degree classroom while drinking my morning coffee! Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform designed by Google that provides a cardboard headset compatible with Android and IOS smartphones. The beauty (or one of them) of this program is that not only does it work with a number of different apps, the devices are made of durable cardboard and are only $1.99 when you choose to construct them yourself. The use of VR has been an unmatched gift for students in the average classroom; it allows them to travel to places they could never have imagined, participate in discussions of historical events with a first-hand perspective, gain experiences once only available to the wealthiest, and more! Google Cardboard can also be used to enhance social stories for students with Autism. Imagine being able to prepare a student with autism for their first zoo field trip by allowing them to view the bus, zoo, and lunch spot all from the comfort of their classroom! Not only would this ease their anxiety caused from deviating from a normal schedule but it would also allow them to focus their energy away from anxiety and into the natural joy and curiosity that can come from new experiences. 

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