Chrome Can: Building Virtual Worlds

I have already discussed how Chromebooks are useful tools for STEM projects, editing photos and creating great designs but what about Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)?  While this might have been impossible on a Chromebook before, there are a number of web-based AR/VR applications now available and with the addition of Android apps this list gets bigger every day!

CoSpaces Edu

The first application I would like to discuss is CoSpaces Edu

According to the creators of the application, “CoSpaces Edu is a creative platform for all ages and subjects. It complements traditional teaching methods by immersing students into a world where they can create, consume and connect with the curriculum on a completely new level, even through the revolutionary visual medium of virtual reality!”

Since CoSpaces Edu is a web application the students can use it to create using their Chromebooks. It is simple for students to create virtual spaces by dragging and dropping 3D objects into the VR space. Want to take things further?  Animate characters and other 3D assets using Blockly or Javascript. Co Spaces is multi-platform and students can easily design and share a VR world. The shared world can be viewed by typing in the shortened link on any device. There’s even an option to experience the created space in immersive VR using a VR headset.

CoSpaces Edu enables you and your students to:

• Create 3D & VR content easily
• Use Blockly, JavaScript or TypeScript to code your spaces
• Explore your creations, on a computer and in VR

Teachers can even monitor student creations.  With the Merge Cube add-on, students can even create virtual worlds for their Merge Cubes and hold their creations in their hands!  It is a great addition to the digital age classroom! Give CoSpaces a try today!

Metaverse

The Metaverse Studio provides students an environment to create augmented reality and virtual reality experiences.  These can be created on any computer through any modern browser.  It works well on a Chromebook.  I have included some of the screenshot from my testing. 

While creating an interactive experience in the Metaverse Studio storyboard environment the student can add various components including polls, leaderboards, AR and VR portals and more. The limitless creation options allow for a multitude of classroom applications including Breakouts, scavenger hunts, trivia games, and interactive stories.

Learn more about how to use virtual spaces in your classroom! 

One thing to keep in mind is that to view these virtual worlds the way they are intended to be viewed, it is best to have smartphones and VR Viewers like Google Cardboard. 

This is just the beginning of building VR and AR on Chromebooks.  As time passes it will get better! 

Thanks for reading

Dr. Shannon H. Doak