Maps.Me—Offline Map with Routing, City Guides, POI Location, Subway and Driving Directions

Maps.Me provides users with access to maps that illustrate areas from across the globe. After launching the app, users are provided with a global view of the world, and they can zoom into an area that they wish to explore. As they zoom, Maps.Me will enlarge the area of focus and show users the names of the regions and cities. For a more detailed view, Maps.Me allows users to download maps of specific areas. Users can access the downloaded maps by tapping the “lined” button on the bottom of the screen, selecting the “Download Maps” option, and then tapping the “Downloaded Maps” button. This option allows users a detailed view of the region. Users can also download specific maps by first choosing the “lined” button, then the “download maps” option, and finally choosing the region they wish to view. The downloaded map will show streets, cities, geographic features, establishments, and points of interest. Users can also pin specific places on the map by holding their finger on it for a moment and then tapping the “star” button on the top right. Users can then bookmark and provide details for the pin by tapping the “star” button on the bottom of the screen and then add details.

Instructional Ideas

1. While discussing a topic that pertains to geographic boundaries or features, teachers can have students find those areas on the map and bookmark them.
2. As part of a research project about a geographic area, teachers can have students view the area using this app and the Google Earth app. Teachers can then have students use the Venn Diagram app to compare the information that they learned about the area from the two different apps. Teachers can add another layer to this activity by requiring students to write a short paragraph explaining which of the two apps they preferred and why.
3. When studying a historical unit such as WWI, WWII, the Vietnam War, or the Roman Empire, teachers can have students drop pins that represent the locations where significant events happened (e.g., battles, the signing of treaties, assassinations, etc.). For each pin dropped, teachers can require students to add a complete description that names the event and includes key details about it. Students can then take a screen shot of the map and send it to their teacher for accountability.
4. When researching a historical figure, students can place pins on a map that represent where key events in the person’s life took place. Ideas include where the person was born, attended college, worked, and lived. Students can include a rationale for why they dropped the pin where they did as part of the description. Students can then take a screen shot of the map and send it to their teacher for accountability.

Screenshots