A group of Canberra teachers spent the first day of their holidays exploring Yosemite National Park, swimming with sharks and travelling the human body - all without leaving the capital.
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And the Education Directorate is investigating making the technology that made their explorations possible available to more schools in the ACT.
More than 350 teachers met at Erindale College in Wanniassa on Monday for the third Canberra summit featuring Google for education.
EdTechTeam global development director Jim Sill led the talk on Google Expeditions.
The technology enables teachers to take students on virtual tours through international landmarks, museums, the ocean and outer space using collections of 360 degree images viewed through smartphones and Google Cardboard.
Climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, Mr Sill showed how the app identified areas of interest for teachers, such as pointing out famous climbers, their gear and different climbing techniques.
The lessons could be changed to suit teachers' needs, Mr Sill said, though Google's ready-made lessons could fit in with elements of the Australian curriculum.
"It's really fun, it's really passionate," he said.
Education Directorate digital strategy, services and transformation branch executive Mark Huxley said while virtual reality would never replace real-world excursions it provided an exciting way for students to explore places they otherwise may not access.
The directorate was in conversation with schools about introducing the technology, he said. Already 84 schools use Google apps.
"We're at the bleeding edge of where we're capable of going," Mr Huxley said.
The Canberra Summit, which focuses on integrating ICT with learning, continues on Tuesday.
