FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kristi Hovington - 404.841.3879
khovington@aischool.org
Atlanta International School Goes on a Google Expedition
Atlanta, GA (February 3, 2016) - The Google Expeditions team arrived at Atlanta International School (AIS) yesterday to take students on a journey through time and space - all without leaving the classroom.
Google Expeditions is a new product, still in beta phase, that allows teachers to take their classes on virtual field trips, immersing students in experiences that bring abstract concepts to life, giving students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom. It can transport students and staff to over 100 locations, including virtual trips to Machu Picchu, the Great Wall of China, the surface of Mars, and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
"Google Expeditions provides a visually immersive environment that enhances classroom learning," says Dr. Adam Oberlin, social studies and language teacher. "As a curriculum supplement, this mix of high and low tech can take students on trips through time and space that may otherwise be impractical or impossible."
The journeys offered to AIS students and faculty included the Roman Ruins, Egypt, the Grand Canyon, Gettysburg Military Park, the Middle Ages and Renaissance Architecture, and the Stratosphere.
Anthony Gillett, Group Leader for Humanities, was impressed by the technology, stating “Google Expeditions has the capacity to bring an event from the past to life. As we learn about the Battle of Gettysburg, we can now put on our Virtual Reality goggles and journey to the actual battlefield. Or in learning about Ancient Rome, we can take students back to that time to ‘walk’ along the streets and see and hear what life was like. This is cutting-edge technology and will be very useful in the classroom.”
Rachel Hovington, Head of Curriculum at AIS, believes that a partnership with Google is a natural fit with the mission of AIS. “The school's commitment to interdisciplinary learning through STEAM will be strengthened by student Google Expeditions. This technology will allow students to be better able to unlock historical events and apply them as a key to the future in order to better analyze solutions to modern day situations.”
About Atlanta International School
Celebrating its 30th anniversary school year, Atlanta International School offers all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to over 1,160 U.S. and international students from three-year-old kindergarten to grade 12. Rigorous academics are enriched by a world-class language acquisition program, which begins with a full-immersion preschool program in Spanish, French and German. The school offers STEM-and STEAM-endorsed and bilingual diplomas in addition to the prestigious IB diploma. Beyond the classroom, AIS students participate in award-winning performing and fine arts opportunities, competitive athletics and global experiential learning. The AIS community comprises over 90 nationalities. AIS is accredited by SAIS and the Council of International Schools. For more information, please visit www.aischool.org.