Health & Fitness
La Jolla Educator Among First Recipients of New Google Glass
Technology and Media Literacy Teacher Laura Jean Moore of The Gillispie School in La Jolla was named one of 8,000 individuals chosen for Google's Glass Explorer Program.
In March 2013, Technology and Media Literacy Teacher Laura Jean Moore of The Gillispie School in La Jolla was named one of 8,000 individuals chosen for Google's Glass Explorer Program.
The Glass Explorer Program is an opportunity given by Google for developers and consumers to try the company’s new Google Glass, a wearable computer with a head-‐ mounted display, as a form of beta testing and market research before the device is available to the general public.
Between February 20 and February 27, 2013, Google accepted entries into the program via an online application process. Applicants were asked to post a message to Google+ or Twitter consisting of 50 words or less, featuring the hashtag #ifihadglass and describing the ways that they would use the device. The program stated that it was looking for "bold, creative individuals" to apply.
According to Moore, she and several other teachers and administrators at Gillispie applied.
“Even though we thought the chances were very slim, we could see that Google Glass has the potential to bring exciting, new possibilities to teachers and students, similar to how the iPad sparked the exploration of apps for academic uses.”
Moore posted her application to Twitter, along with a link to a 15-‐second video supporting her idea. Her concept included the ways that Google Glass could help dissolve school walls, expand the physical classroom, and capture teaching and learning as they happen, “making worlds living within us and beyond a two-‐way street for students/teachers.”
Actual Winning Tweet and Link to Video
#ifihadglass-‐dissolve school walls, making worlds living within us and beyond, a two-‐way street for students/teachers http://bit.ly/13pASG8
In a statement released by Google, the company claimed it was “overwhelmed” by the participant response, posting on Google+ “We could never have imagined such an enthusiastic response!”
Those that were selected were notified in late March 2013 with an invitation to New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco to purchase an "Explorer" test version.
As for Moore, she has already begun immersing herself in the Explorer program community.
“I am in several groups that have formed on Google+ and Twitter to exchange ideas. Glass may not change our teaching and learning right away, but being a part of these Glass Explorer groups may spark ideas that will.”
She has even begun leading brainstorming sessions with Gillispie students to generate ideas on the uses of the new device.
“They were very creative ... They even thought we could “program” it so people could go on augmented tours of the school!”
To learn more about The Gillispie School, visit www.gillispie.org.
