Virtual Field Trips with Expeditions Pro

 

Expeditions Pro

Taking virtual field trips with Expeditions Pro

Created by Scott Aten, April 28, 2022

Many of you may remember Google Expeditions.  This was a great tool that allowed students to travel virtually to locations all over the globe.  Teachers could expose students to sights they may never have an opportunity to see or experience.  Unfortunately Google elected to stop supporting this tool, much to the disappointment of teachers everywhere.  Expeditions Pro is filling the void left by the retired Google Expeditions.  

Expeditions Pro is a free download from the app store and is available for both IOS and Android devices.  Teachers can then choose from hundreds of existing tours from around the world.  Here are a few examples that are available now:

• American Revolution - Massachusetts
• Ancient Rome
• Flight 93 Memorial
• Lincoln Assassination
• US Federal Government
• The War of 1812
• African Safari
• Artic Regions
• Rainforest Rambler
• Under the Sea
• Machu Picchu
• Exothermic Reactions
• Photosynthesis 
• Solar System
• 7 Wonders of the World
• New tours are constantly being added

The teacher downloads the tour with the app on their phone.  Once downloaded the teacher selects "Class" in the menu at the bottom and choose "Lead".  Students install the app on their phone, choose "Class" and then "Follow".  The teacher's tour is then available for the students to follow.  

Both the teacher and students need to be on the same network, so if you would like to run a virtual tour with your students you should start by putting in a help desk ticket and choose "tech integration" as the category.  Be sure to allow a few days for the tech department to set things up.  

We have a set of View Master Views that you can schedule to use.  Students will need their own cell phone to participate (we have 3 loaners but not enough for a full class).

If you would like me to come and help you please feel free to schedule me to come and assist you.  I am always ready to come help.  

[Green Technology Training Center]

[Click here to go to the YouTube Channel]

For more helpful information and the archive of previous posts, look for items in the menu to the left.

Green Local Schools

Tech Integration Team

Monitor Student Chromebooks with Classroom by Lightspeed

 

Classroom by Lightspeed

Monitor student Chromebooks while students are in your classroom

Created by Scott Aten, April 12, 2022

One of the biggest issues staff have faced since going 1-1, is keeping students on task when in the classroom.  The lure of games, internet searches, and videos is too much for some of our students.  As a classroom teacher it is challenging to keep these tech savvy students focused on the learning at hand while still making use of the great tool the Chromebooks have become.  We now have a tool available to you that should help tip the advantage back into your favor.  Lightspeed Classroom is a tool to monitor your students while using their Chromebooks in your classroom during your class period.

Getting started using Lightspeed Classroom
You will want to bookmark this site: https://classroom.relay.school/
Login with Google to access your account and classes.  Your classes have been added for you already.  If you have any students that are missing or misplaced, please put in a help desk ticket to have this resolved for you.

Helpful Instructions

I have broken down all the parts of this application to make it easy for you to get this up and running in your classroom.

• Getting Started for GWD, GPS, and GIS (3:32 minutes)

• Getting Started for GMS and GHS (5:51) 

• Class Controls (4:38 minutes)

• Web Rules Option (12:03 minutes)

• Using Groups (3:27 minutes)

• Monitoring Students (5:13 minutes)

• Force Check-In Students (1:37 minutes)

• Communication with Students (3:52 minutes)

• Some Tips (3:00 minutes)

NOTE - There are two different "Getting Started" videos.  One is for GMS and GHS, the other is for the rest of the district.

Recommendations for staff who have been using it

Make sure you unlock the class before they leave your room. You don’t want them to be blocked from cites they may need to access in their next period’s class. (GIS, GPS, GWD)

If something is not working the way you want, don't panic. Just set web rules to none and have students refresh.

Allow Lists
As you will see, you restrict students to an "allowed" list of sites.  The teachers that helped pilot this application have started a list of URLs to include in allow lists based on content area as well as by building.  You can access this list here and add URLs that are helpful for everyone.  Please only add URLs to your building and sites that are beneficial to everyone.  Also remember this is a document for the whole district and any changes you make are visible to everyone - not just you.

If you would like me to come and assist you during a TBT or department meeting or even one on one please feel free to schedule me to come and assist you.  I am always ready to come help.  

[Green Technology Training Center]

[Click here to go to the YouTube Channel]

For more helpful information and the archive of previous posts, look for items in the menu to the left.

Green Local Schools

Tech Integration Team