Four Simple Ways to Start Using 360 Video in the Classroom on a Small Budget

Drones that drop off  your Amazon packages, Google’s driverless vehicles, and robots that deliver food on college campuses only begin to encompass the vast changes that technology is creating in our world. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to listen to Scott Bogniewski, interim director of the School of Digital Science at Kent State University, walk us through the highs and lows of Kent State’s first project using Virtual Reality and 360 video.

I found myself intrigued by the potential of the technology to help my high school students tell stories, but simultaneously skeptical of the feasibility to pull off something of this caliber in a high school journalism classroom.  Simply put, if I wanted to implement this in my classroom, I knew I would have to look beyond the expensive camera equipment and new editing programs utilized by Bogniewski’s students.

Here are four simple ways to get students using 360 videos on a small budget.

1. FACEBOOK

No surprise here, this technology giant supports 360 video right within the app.  Users can make a 360 video post, and now have the option to add a 360 cover photo.

How to use it: Post or Cover Photo

Required Tools: Smart phone, Facebook account

2. INSTAPAN APP

     The Instapan App provides iPhone users a way to transfer pictures shot in panoramic mode to their

     Instagram feed.

     How to use it:  

     Required Tools: iPhone, Instagram account, Instapan app

3. INSTA360 NANO

     Insta360 Nano is a tiny, spherical camera that attaches to your iPhone, allowing the user to create a virtual reality experience through both photo and video.  The footage can be shared instantly, or streamed live on Facebook or YouTube. The Insta360 Nano retails at $199 but, can be found for around $70 on Amazon.

     How to use it:       

     Required Tools:  iPhone, Insta360 Nano

4. GOOGLE STREET VIEW APP

     This app, available for both Android and Apple users, creates immersive 360 degree panoramic images.   Users simply follow the virtual dots that appear on the screen until a full 360 image is created.

     How to use it: 

     Required Tools: A smart phone, Google Street View app

How will you use 360 video in the journalism classroom?  I’d love to read your feedback in the comments.