What is Google Earth?
Google Earth is a free, downloadable tool that allows viewers to see all over the world. This digital tool lets people zoom, spin or view anyplace! This would be great for students in the classroom as it lets them explore every corner of the globe, measure distances, share their tours with others and create their own virtual tours. Students would also be able to create and download layers of information and view them in geographic context. This tool would be effective when students are doing science, sose, geography, history or more.
My own experience with google earth.
I have seen google earth used in the younger years when they did a mathematics mapping activity- they found their own house and measured how far away from school it was.
This was a great activity, the learners were engaged and it was on a smart board which allowed all students to be envolved the entire time!
I feel students using google earth individually or in groups would be an effective learning tool as they can work towards a common goal together, using real life context virtually...GOOGLE EARTH!
What are your ideas on google earth? Have you seen it put to good, effective use in the primary setting?
Hi Renee,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I agree with the usefulness that google earth has to offer. Over the past years google earth has quickly evolved into something extraordinary giving access to all parts of the globe. This means for students in the 21st century they have endless opportunities to learn and explore other countries without even visiting them. I like your ideas of what subjects you would use this tool in, it almost covers them all! I havn't seen google earth being used in a classroom before but i have seen examples in lectures and other students ideas, they were similar to yours. Google Earth is great to use in the classroom for a range topics and subjects. For more ideas you could ask the student themselves how they would like to use it, constructing meaning for themselves.
Hi Kadee, sorry such a late reply! I have been busy blogging. I agree when you said that it creates endless opportunities for students, this is such an important thing for students living in today's society because the world is so multi-cultural nowadays that students are wanting to learn more about different countries. Most schools learn a language, cook different cuisines and even have exchange students come through their school. It is so important for children of the world that they can visit different countries without the expensive cost of a flight. They can observe their land, rivers and housing and report on this without having to physically visit the country. This opens up a whole new world for teachers.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am a teacher, I want to have another class in India or Africa who can be our pen palls. Using Google earth students can go on and visit the school, see their community and local area and write to the students about that. Again, as I agree...endless opportunities!
Hi Kadee, after using this tool over the past few weeks I have thought of more great ways to use it in the classroom. Not only did I add the YouTube clip about a class looking at missions however here is a short list I have come up with;
ReplyDelete- Science, Global Warming
- Science, Earthquakes/Natural Disasters
- History, looking at a place in time
- Art, Looking at famous Museums, 3D buildings and modern architecture.
-Discover places where books, post cards etc are written. Write letters to a class overseas.
-Maths, use coordinates and measure, look at 3D & 2D shapes and explore distances.
Can anyone else add to my list?