As the school year marches on, it’s easy for learning to feel a bit…confined. But what if you could transport students to the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro, the awe-inspiring heights of Machu Picchu, or even the surface of Mars? With Google Arts & Culture, these incredible sights are just a click away.
This free online platform is a treasure trove of art, history, and culture from around the world, brought to life through interactive technology. It’s more than just a collection of pretty pictures; it’s a portal to immersive experiences, engaging games, and creative tools that can transform how students learn across all subjects!
Why Google Arts & Culture?
- Bring the World to Your Classroom: While the weather keeps us indoors, Google Arts & Culture brings the world to your classroom. Explore far-off lands, dive into fascinating cultures, and spark curiosity without bundling up for a field trip.
- Engage Every Learner: With its diverse offerings, Google Arts & Culture has something to offer every student. Learners will be captivated by virtual tours, interactive games, and AR experiences.
- Cross-Curricular Connections: Google Arts & Culture is not just for art class! It’s a valuable resource for every subject. Explore the “Themes” pages to design a learning experience integrating multiple subject areas.
- History: Explore ancient civilizations, historical events, and iconic figures through artifacts, documents, and virtual tours.
- Science: Dive into the depths of the ocean, explore the human body, or take a virtual field trip to the International Space Station.
- Math: Uncover the mathematical principles behind art and architecture, exploring concepts like geometry, symmetry, and perspective.
- Language Arts: Analyze artwork for symbolism and storytelling, use images as writing prompts, or explore cultural narratives from around the world.
- Music: Discover musical instruments from different cultures, learn about famous composers, and even conduct your own virtual orchestra.
Let’s take a peek into the key features of Google Arts & Culture!
Explore:
- Virtual Field Trips: Explore the International Space Station, dive into the depths of the ocean, or step back in time to walk with dinosaurs.
- Museum Tours: Wander through the halls of the world’s most renowned museums. Zoom in on brushstrokes, examine ancient artifacts, and uncover hidden details with high-resolution images.
- Cultural Exploration: Journey across continents and diverse cultures. Discover the vibrant traditions of Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, and the intricate art of Japanese calligraphy, or uncover the secrets of ancient civilizations.
Play:
- Interactive Games: Conduct your own “Blob Opera,” piece together historical puzzles, or test your knowledge with cultural quizzes. “Odd One Out” challenges players to identify the AI-generated artwork–a great way to build AI literacy skills!
- Art Selfie: With the “Art Selfie” feature, students can snap a photo and discover their art doppelganger in a famous painting. It’s a fun way to spark conversations about portraiture, art history, and self-expression.
- Augmented Reality: Transform your classroom into a personal art gallery with the “Pocket Gallery” feature. Experience famous sculptures and artwork in 3D, right in your own space.
Create:
- Art Transfer: Unleash your students’ inner artists with the “Art Transfer” tool. Experiment with different artistic styles, transforming photos into masterpieces inspired by Van Gogh, Monet, or Frida Kahlo.
- Inspired by the Masters: Encourage your students to create their own artwork inspired by the masters they encounter on Google Arts & Culture. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpture, or digital art, the platform provides a wealth of inspiration.
- Digital Storytelling: Combine art, history, and technology to create compelling digital stories. Use Google Arts & Culture as a resource for images, information, and inspiration.
Ready to transform your classroom into a hub of exploration and wonder?
The Google Arts & Culture Teacher Guide provides detailed guidance on getting started, with supporting images, on pages 8-12. Visit the Learn with Google Arts & Culture page, designed specifically with students, teachers, and families in mind.
As the homepage changes daily, we recommend taking your students on a week-long adventure with Google Arts & Culture. Challenge yourself to explore a new feature or activity each day with your students as a quick warm-up or exit activity.
Excited to learn more? Our 1-credit course 5295: Immersive Learning with Google Arts & Culture will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate this powerful platform into your teaching!
About the Author
Sarah Murphy is the Evaluation Manager and a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in History and a Master’s in Education. Sarah began teaching in 2004 at the elementary level. She now leads the Teaching Channel Evaluation Team, managing our wonderful team of Course Evaluators. Sarah is also a coursewriter and content creator, specializing in edtech, educator wellness, and content area teaching.
Fun fact: Sarah has camped in 18 national parks and hopes to visit all 63 someday!
