Google Earth

Google Earth offers users a unique map of the world. By engaging this app, users can search for specific addresses, points of interest, and geographic areas from across the globe, and then drop “pins” to bookmark specific locations. Lastly, Google Earth allows users the option to include roads, buildings, and borders on their maps, as well as link to Wikipedia.

Instructional Ideas for Google Earth

1. Teachers can use Google Earth to build student background knowledge by having students explore a specific region of the world. Specifically, teachers can ask students: (1) What do you think life would be like in that region of the world?, (2) What do you think are some major challenges for living in that region?, (3) What geographic features are found in that region? By investigating those topics, students will begin to develop their background knowledge for that region.
2. During or after reading a text, students can use Google Earth to explore a location(s) referenced by the text. Teachers can have students explore the Wikipedia links built into this app to learn more about the topic. Teachers can require students to write a summary of the information they learned.
3. Math teachers can use Google Earth when creating word problems to support student visualization of them (e.g., If a train leaves Chicago traveling at 60 miles per hour, how long will it take the train to arrive in Detroit?).
4. History teachers can use Google Earth to support student learning about specific historical events (e.g., When teaching about the Allies’ island hopping strategy used during World War II, students can search these islands using Google Earth to see the geographic challenges that the Allies overcame.)
5. Students can view different locations related to a topic in Google Earth and research them using a reference resource, such as the Encyclopedia Britannica’s website. Students can then use the Tour Builder website to virtual trip to these areas that includes locations and key information for each location. When finished, students can share their tour by posting it to a class website or collaborative workspace, such as Padlet or Dotstorming.

Screenshots of Google Earth