Google earth is a fascinating website with a free downloadable virtual globe program that allows you to plot and view any location in the world! Three-dimensional images obtained via satellite can be viewed from your computer, at any time or any place. You simply point to a destination and zoom anywhere you like. This tool allows us to explore the world around us and to see it as we've never seen it before.
I downloaded the program, which took approximately 3-4 minutes. The opening page provides start-up tips and takes you directly into the site, showing an image of the earth. To get to a destination, you can type an exact location or just click directly on the globe. As you watch with a birds-eye view, you are taken to your destination as if you are flying. Navigation is fun and user-friendly. A variety of options at the top of the screen allow you to add place marks, path, and image overlays; record towns; show historical imagery; or even show sunlight across a landscape. A plus/minus indicator bar allows you to zoom in or out to view the location closer or further away. Various blue squares indicate landmarks, and when you click one, a still photo of the location pops up on your screen.
Google Earth is a great tool that can be used to integrate technology into the classroom, especially with math, science, and geography. Teachers are currently using this site to assist with lessons on latitude, longitude, polyhedrons, and line patterns, to name a few. Another great online resource for math teachers is Real World Math, which incorporates Google Earth in the curriculum. The site provides lesson ideas in four specific categories, geared for 5th grade and up. Both sites give teachers tremendous technology tools to provide interesting and active learning exercises for the classroom.
I downloaded the program, which took approximately 3-4 minutes. The opening page provides start-up tips and takes you directly into the site, showing an image of the earth. To get to a destination, you can type an exact location or just click directly on the globe. As you watch with a birds-eye view, you are taken to your destination as if you are flying. Navigation is fun and user-friendly. A variety of options at the top of the screen allow you to add place marks, path, and image overlays; record towns; show historical imagery; or even show sunlight across a landscape. A plus/minus indicator bar allows you to zoom in or out to view the location closer or further away. Various blue squares indicate landmarks, and when you click one, a still photo of the location pops up on your screen.
Google Earth is a great tool that can be used to integrate technology into the classroom, especially with math, science, and geography. Teachers are currently using this site to assist with lessons on latitude, longitude, polyhedrons, and line patterns, to name a few. Another great online resource for math teachers is Real World Math, which incorporates Google Earth in the curriculum. The site provides lesson ideas in four specific categories, geared for 5th grade and up. Both sites give teachers tremendous technology tools to provide interesting and active learning exercises for the classroom.
This was interesting to read about and made me want to play with Google Earth. It is fascinating what all one can do with program and what all can be seen. I can see the advantages of using this program when I teach certain subjects in my science class. Very informative entry
ReplyDeleteNice job. What a cool tool...you can take field trips with your students without even leaving the classroom. Instead of talking about a destination or a place in the world, you can show them what it really looks like.
ReplyDeleteI love google earth! But for some reason I always weird about the amount of information that is out there about us...big brother!
ReplyDeleteGood idea to integrate Google Earth into teaching! I wouldn't have thought of using it. But, it seems like it could be a valuable resource in the classroom. I just read a story with my group at school about men who were stranded in Antarctica, and I wonder if we could have used Google Earth to see where it was. I brought in my passport so they could see that. It's always nice to see technology integrated into a lesson. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou had some great ideas about how to incorporate Google Earth in the classroom. Your blog post opened my eyes to the versatility of Google Earth. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI really liked all the examples you gave on how to use Googel Earth in new ways. Very creative!
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