Request Google Cardboard for your class
To request Google Cardboards to be shipped from the library for your coursework, please fill out this form: DSL Google Cardboard Request.
A Brief Introduction to Google Cardboard
Google Cardboard (Cardboard) is an introductory Virtual Reality (VR) technology that is simple to use, comparatively cheap, and makes 360 web content viewable in a VR-like environment, though your phone.
It does not have the capabilities of a full VR headset, like Oculus Quest or HTC Vive. Those headsets also come with hand controls and allow you to choose your movement, speed, and direction in an experience.
In Cardboard experiences, you are typically offered far less choice. You can think of Cardboard experiences as typically allowing you to look around, in 360 degrees, from a single fixed point. This can still be very useful and engaging! You'll see some examples below.
How to get started with Cardboard
To use Cardboard, you need a Cardboard-compatible smartphone and a Cardboard.
As of September 2020, the library has free Cardboards that you can request for use with a class!
To get Cardboards from the library, fill out this form and let us know:
- How many you will need
- For what course or project
- Why the Cardboard will be useful
You can also buy them online, including through the Google website for Cardboard: https://arvr.google.com/cardboard/get-cardboard/
Suggested Cardboard Experiences
360 Video and Photography works well in Google Cardboard. Look for, and select, the Cardboard icon (Created by Berkah Icon from Noun Project) 
Suggested Cardboard experiences
- Cellscape: A Virtual Reality Journey Inside a Cell. Created by science Youtuber Tyler DeWitt and XVIVO, a scientific visualization for educational purposes company
- "Indian Cities" 360 music video, by A Tribe Called Red, featuring Black Bear
- 360 photography of Prambanan Hindu Temple in Indonesia
- Tour of the Tesla Freemont Factory in 360 video
Other ways to use Cardboard
- With MSU Libraries databases:
- ProQuest 360 video has a curated variety of news and short documentary pieces, including a New York Times video channel
- Cardboards are also compatible with other space-based websites and technologies we use in the Digital Scholarship Lab:
If you have any questions, please contact us at LIB.dsldesk@msu.edu or get in touch via our consultation request form.
