Google Earth

Image courtesy of Google Earth


Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographic information program available on the world wide web. Google Earth displays satellite images of varying resolution of the Earth's surface, allowing users to view cities and houses looking perpendicularly down or at an oblique angle, with perspective (Wikipedia, 2010).

Prior to this year, I had been briefly introduced to Google Earth by a friend, and we found my house, which I thought was unbelievable. I had no idea of the other brilliant features it had to offer.

I have now had a look at some of these features , and I am amazed how much detail Google Earth provides of any place in the world (including under the oceans and on the moon!).
Some of the features available for use are which I have discovered on Wikipedia (2010) and Google Earth homepage:

• for some areas of the earth 3D images of terrain and buildings are available
• flight simulator option is available. The Google Earth flight simulator features the ability to fly to any supported locations of the world. The pilot can choose any location to start a flight or attempt to land a flight in the world.
• Google sky is a feature that was introduced in Google Earth and allows users to view stars and other celestial bodies.
• Google Street View provides 360° panoramic street-level views and allows users to view parts of selected cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas at ground level.
• The Google Ocean feature allows users to zoom below the surface of the ocean and view the 3D ocean floor beneath the waves.
• Historical Imagery allows users to traverse back in time and study earlier stages of any place. This feature is very useful for research purposes that require analysis of past records of various places.
• Google Earth 5 includes a separate globe of the planet Mars, that can be viewed and analysed for research purposes. It also includes 3D renderings of the Martian terrain.
  
• Google Moon allows users to view satellite images of the moon.
• Allows you to create tours, of places of interest to you.

Google Earth would be a invaluable tool for the Learning Manager to use in the classroom. Geography would have a whole new meaning. Students can literally view the world without leaving the classroom (or their house, if they have the internet). Google Earth is a much more engaging way to learn about various countries/cultures than the 'old style' atlases and maps. It makes Geography seem so much more 'real', and important to them, and allows them to grasp some hard concepts, that may be difficult to explain, better .... 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. Google Earth would be great for Unit work involving countries or culture as well.

I have also viewed a blog posting containing a video demonstration how to plan tours on Google Earth ( and many other great resources to use in the classroom for Google Earth). This This would also be a great idea for the classroom. Groups of students could plan tours for assessment pieces, they could organise an overseas holiday in groups. This use of Google Earth aligns with Kearsley and Shneiderman (1997) Engagement theory because it is a group based, collaborative project, providing a product of value to people outside the classroom. It also enhances active learning in the classroom because it is an activity based, multi directional learning experience, that allows student- centred learning. Students can be involved in 'real-life ' experiences and stimulate lifetime habits of thinking, about how as well as what they are learning. Their learning experience would be direct and purposeful. (Active Learning Online, 2000) The visual, hands on experience with Google Earth, also allows for diversity of learning styles in the cohort.

I commented on Carolyne's blog about her great use of Google Earth in the classroom to create a a ficticious story could be created about a character who goes travelling with different events happening at each placemark. It would be an interactive story that could be created and shared online.

The possibilities of using Google Earth in the classroom are probably nearly endless. It's just a matter of researching and experimenting with it to realise its full potential. Students can now do the 'impossible' and explore the world and beyond, by merely sitting in front of a computer, using Google Earth.