trevordayschool

Pioneering Google Expeditions School Technology Specialist Cathy Cheo-Isaacs, who helped coordinate the program with Upper School Technology Specialist Stan Golanka, had previewed Google Expeditions in June 2015 at the International Society for Technology in Education conference and has been full of excitement and anticipation for this new technology ever since. Cheo-Isaacs recalled, "Experiencing it first as a student literally brought me to tears! After four months, I finally had the opportunity to lead a class and take them on a few Expeditions. It was incredibly powerful." Asked for their impressions, student reviews were nothing less than stellar. Universally, they appreciated the sophistication of the technology, coupled with its simplified packaging. Everyone agreed that the experience was exponentially more immersive than watching a video or viewing a still image. e Google Expeditions app is set to be released in a few months. It will surely have an enormous impact on the educational landscape. Trevor was selected as one of the first schools to participate in the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program, a platform for teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips using Google cardboard. In late October, Upper School classes had the opportunity to journey way beyond the classroom, to locations around the globe, in conjunction with lessons within the existing Trevor curriculum. With the help of an educator from Google, each class was given a tablet dashboard (for the teacher), a router, and 30 Google cardboards—each with its own smartphone. Classes took virtual field trips to Athens, the Galapagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, Spain, Brazil, and Dubai, to name a few. Some classes also visited a range of biomes, explored the Moon and Mars, and experienced the role of a museum photographer. e program presented points of interest and facts about each panorama, and allowed students to ask questions about the landscapes. Teachers were also able to manipulate the program to direct their students during the virtual visit, as they were able to see what each student was viewing. e reaction was pure amazement, as students held the Google cardboard up to their faces and were instantly transported into a 3-D world. "Wows" and "whoas" could be heard erupting from the classrooms all day long. All faculty were encouraged to visit and experience the expeditions for themselves. ose who did were elated at the possibility of having this program available as a future resource. Lower the team was victorious—defeating a strong competitor and sending their fans into a well-deserved frenzy. With a hearty momentum of school spirit, the Dragons brought Homecoming to Randall's Island the next Saturday morning, where the picturesque fall weather offered the perfect setting. Lower School students enjoyed field games led by the Physical Education faculty, and students, families, and faculty later competed in a one-mile Trevor Fun Run. Afterward, families settled down for picnic lunches and donned their Trevor pride with headbands, sunglasses, and other fun logowear. e Boys Varsity and Girls Varsity Soccer teams, led by Mirko Cavar and Mario Sanchez and Ray Stafford and Matt Colon respectively, battled the Grace Church squads under the warm September sun. Both teams emerged victorious, buoyed by the numerous fans cheering them on. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year as we continue this Trevor tradition! 0 9 T R E V O R D AY S C H O O L n W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6

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