Learning from Classroom 2.0
Journal # 8: Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual mapping program that maps the earth using three different tools: satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3D globe. The program, which is free to download at earth.google.com, allows people to search for addresses, buildings and landmarks. It also allows people to see 3-D terrain and buildings and to see things in space. I downloaded the software and it is really awesome! Basically the program allows you to travel around the world, or in outer space seeing things how they really look in 3D.
The Classroom 2.0 thread that I read about discussed some of the things that you could do with the Google Earth software. The original post was from a teacher who was currently using the software in his math class to map distances and had done a few other projects with weather and geological features. The rest of the threads went on to dialogue different ways that the software could be used for a variety of subjects. Apparently, the website www.googlelittrips.com allows students and teachers to take virtual trips based on the locations presented in the student’s literature assignments, using Google Earth. The program also allows classrooms to make their own ‘literature trips’ and post them on the site.
The Classroom 2.0 website is a great resource for teachers to use to collaborate and learn about new things. Google Earth seems like an ideal program to learn about and incorporate into any science class. I was interested in the ideas that the teachers had about cross-curriculum projects using the software. More than anything though, this assignment reminded me just how many resources are out there for teachers to create dynamic lessons.
(Photo of my mom's house in Austin, TX)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Journal # 8:Google Earth
Posted by E at 5:50 PM
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6 comments:
E
This sounds really cool. I am making a notation to check it out. I think it would be a great addition to any classroom. Thanks for the info
Robert
I thought Google Earth was mostly for science or math stuff. Your blog explains that the forum you visited explains about different uses in different disciplines - I would like to use this tool if I could apply it to a literature class. Most of us love to see pictures and I bet students would get a kick out of using this tool.
While my second grade students have used Google Earth in Social Studies, I never thought about using Google Earth in a Lit class or to measure distance for Math. Cleary there are many applications of this software in the classroom that would apply to many grades and abilities. You have me curious to explore other uses for Google Earth!
I have played around with similar applications but I had never thought that they could be geared to fit a lesson plan. I think that it is really interesting to see the ways that different programs like this can be incorporated into teaching.
I never thought about using Google Earth in an educational setting, I always just thought of it as something you did when you were bored and had nothing better to do than look up people's houses, but your comments have enlightened me. There are some great ideas in your review about how to use it in a classroom setting.
I love your blooger background by the way? where did you get it?
Your description of Google Earth seems like it would be such a good tool for science or even history to have students see real pictures of events or terrain. I actually didn't know that you could download a program for Google Earth but I'm looking forward to learning more about it.
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