Students swim with sharks, explore space, through VR

By Sophie Morlin-Yron, CNN

Updated 1237 GMT (2037 HKT) November 1, 2018

Schools around the world are introducing virtual reality (VR) applications. Students can explore faraway countries or take a virtual trip to the International Space Station, as in this scene produced by Discovery VR.<br />
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
Schools around the world are introducing virtual reality (VR) applications. Students can explore faraway countries or take a virtual trip to the International Space Station, as in this scene produced by Discovery VR.
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Some of the 360-degree panoramas, also called photo spheres, are computer-generated images.
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
Some of the 360-degree panoramas, also called photo spheres, are computer-generated images.
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Others like Google Expeditions, pictured, are photographs which the user can navigate by moving their head up and down or from side to side.
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
Others like Google Expeditions, pictured, are photographs which the user can navigate by moving their head up and down or from side to side.
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The smartphone applications can be downloaded free of charge on iOS and Android.
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
The smartphone applications can be downloaded free of charge on iOS and Android.
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The application can be controlled by the teacher using a tablet. Students use a headset which is attached to the smartphone. There is a range of headsets available, for example <a href="https://vr.google.com/cardboard/" target="_blank">Google Cardboard</a>. <br />
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
The application can be controlled by the teacher using a tablet. Students use a headset which is attached to the smartphone. There is a range of headsets available, for example Google Cardboard.
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The adventurous can get a glimpse into what it's like to cross a canyon hundreds of feet above the ground (here seen in the Utah deserts) with Discover VR's "<a href="http://www.discoveryvr.com/watch/gillette-slackline/details" target="_blank">Walk the Tight Rope.</a>"<br />
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
The adventurous can get a glimpse into what it's like to cross a canyon hundreds of feet above the ground (here seen in the Utah deserts) with Discover VR's "Walk the Tight Rope."
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Others may choose to swim with bull sharks in Fiji, using one of Google's 600 different expeditions.
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
Others may choose to swim with bull sharks in Fiji, using one of Google's 600 different expeditions.
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For history students and art enthusiasts there are archeological sites and iconic buildings to roam, such as Versailles in France, pictured.
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
For history students and art enthusiasts there are archeological sites and iconic buildings to roam, such as Versailles in France, pictured.
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The technology is evolving. This fall will see the introduction of a new educational tool by Google based on augmented reality (AR). <br />
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
The technology is evolving. This fall will see the introduction of a new educational tool by Google based on augmented reality (AR).
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The new application will bring objects such as tornadoes or DNA helices into the classroom as part of the Google Expedition <a href="https://edu.google.com/expeditions/ar/" target="_blank">Pioneer Program</a>.
Photos: Schools embark on virtual reality field trips
The new application will bring objects suc