Google ApplicationsThis is a featured page

Angela Christopher & Rosemary West-Bowlson

Introduction to Google Earth

Google applications provide teachers and students with the capability to view and interact with satellite and 3D imagery, maps and 360 degree eye level views of the Earth. Recently, Google added features that allow users to view and interact with the ocean and space! Virtual field trips can be created or recorded using descriptive place markers and can also include audio, video, and photos. Users have the option to create trips and tours and save and/or share them with others.

Getting Started
Create Virtual Tours with Google Earth

The latest version of Google Earth gives users the ability to create tours that include historical imagery, embedd YouTube videos, and audio narration. The application is so user friendly that elementary students can learn to create tours.

"Fly anywhere via Google Earth's satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. Learn about geography, architecture and more while you travel with Google Earth. Save your toured places, and share with others (http://earth.google.com)"

Google Earth 5.0 features
  • Historical imagery from around the globe
  • Ocean floor and surface data from marine experts
  • Simplified touring with audio and voice recording
Note: Google Earth opens as a separate application, external to the web browser. Users must have an active Internet connection.

Additional Resources for Google Earth
Google Earth User Guide
In response to the question "How might we use art or design to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, sustainable world?” Hillary Andrlik and Theresa McGee, both elementary art teachers in the Chicagoland area, created a virtual tour using Google Earth.

The tour provides an opportunity to explore art and artists from around the world as one observes the use of art/design to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, sustainable world.

Visit The Teaching Palette for more information.




Moon in Google Earth







Google's' newest feature is Moon in Google Earth. Classroom teachers can take their students on moon-bound missions and explore space. This is a fantastic field trip for any student learning about space or the moon. "Students could also explore independently keeping their discoveries in a space journal and reporting back to others what they discovered on their journey to the moon," (www.iLearn.com).

Tip from www.iLearn.com: "Google Earth is a download. If you need IT to perform downloads for you, be sure that Google Earth makes it on your list of must haves for the school year."

Maps

Google Maps is viewed in your web browser. Depending on location, users can view basic or custom maps and local business information, including locations, contact information, and driving directions. Click and drag maps to view adjacent sections. View, zoom and pan a satellite image (with or without map data of your desired location). Best of all, Google Maps is an online application, so there's no downloading required, and it can be accessed it from any computer that is connected to the Internet.


How to create a VFT using Google Maps
"This video will outline the basic features of Google Maps and show you how to create a Virtual Field Trip for your students or colleagues. The video was created for teachers looking to make best use of the free spatial technology resources available online."

The Asia Education Foundation (AEF) provides schools and teachers with a range of services to engage young Australians with Asia through studies of Asians.
Street View




Street View is a feature of Google Maps that allows users to easily view and navigate 360 degree street level images of various cities around the world.

Next:

Virtual Tours and Interactive Maps



References and Acknowledgments

Google Earth (2009). Google Earth. Retrieved on July 29, 2009 from http://earth.google.com/

Green Friday: A Global Tour of Environmental Artists With Google Earth (2009, April 9). The Teaching Palette. Perfecting the art of education. Retrieved on July 24, 2009 from http://theteachingpalette.com/index.php?s=google+earth

Moon in Google Earth (2009, July 23). iLearn Technology. An edublog about integrating technology into the classroom. Retrieved on July 23, 2009 from http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=1027






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Keyword tags: Clif Mims edtech education google idt 7078 K12 learning teaching vft virtual field trips virtual tours Web 2.0
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