Dr. Alice Christie's Google Earth™ Resource Guide |
Using Google Earth in K-12 Classrooms |
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What is Google Earth™?
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- Free, tri-platform, downloadable program that supports managing 3D geospatial data through Keyhole Markup Language (KML)
- As of June 2008 also a browser plug-in for Firefox, IE6, or IE7
- Users view satellite imagery to explore rich geographical content in 3D:
- maps and terrain
- buildings
- geographic formations
- civilization infrastructure
- Google Earth grows in detail and sophistication as users add data
- Users can save toured places to share
- Images: Images are not all taken at the same time, but are generally current to within three years. They are sometimes incorrectly stitched together. All images copyrighted, but Google allows non-commercial, personal, and educational uses of images. Images vary in detail and resolution. Baseline resolutions (per pixel) are summarized below:
- US: 50 ft. (some states 3 ft. or better)
- Europe: 3 ft. or better
- Global: Generally 50 ft. some areas (ocean, small island) extremely low
- Searching in Google Earth. Users can search by:
- Address
- Latitude and longitude coordinates
- Browse to a location using a mouse
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Google Earth Layers. See Dr. Christie's GE Layers Video. Below is a list of a few of the layers I find most helpful for educators and K-12 students:
- Geographic Web
- Roads
- 3D Buildings
- Street View
- Borders and Labels
- Traffic
- Weather
- Terrain
- Gallery
- National Geographic
- News Agencies
- Travel and Tourism
- Global Awareness
- GreenPeace, WaterAid
- Points of Interests
- Dining, lodging, shopping
- Schools, hospitals, Rx
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How Much Does Google Earth™ Cost?
- Levels of Google Earth
- Google Earth: free version with limited functionality
- Google Earth Plus:
$20 annually. Add the following features
- GPS integration
- higher resolution printing
- higher download speeds
- Google Earth Pro:
$400 annually for commercial use
- Full-featured
- Apply to Get Google Earth Pro for FREE: Google Earth Pro Grant
- Eligibe Organizations: Those with current 501(c)(3) status
- Noneligibe Orgainizations:
- religious or political organizations
- organizations focused primarily on lobbying for political or policy change
- organizations outside the United States
Why Use Google Earth in the Classroom?
- To provide a sense of reality and purpose for learning within the K-12 classroom
- To engage and excite learners
- To help learners conceptualize, visualize, share, and communicate information about the world
- To provide cross-curricular learning options
- To add a new dimension to learning environments not previously possible
- To leverage ubiquitous tools for learning
- To create active, exploratory, and empowering learning environments
- To give students opportunities:
- to exhibit their learning to others
- to use emerging technologies and digital tools
- to communicate their research in a personally meaningful way (using Web 2.0 tools)
- to view their world from a more connected, global perspective
- to enhance map reading and navigation skills
- to engage more complex dimensions of human perception
Why is Google Earth important for educators?
- An emerging digital tool with potential to enhance learning
- Uses real-world data
- Continually updated
Examples of Google Earth Lessons
Below are links to examples of ways teachers can make learning more motivating, challenging, and meaninful to their students.
Google Earth Resources from Google
Other Google Earth Resources
Tutorials
Connecting with Other Google Earth Educators and Users
Dr. Alice Christie's Videos on Using Google Earth in K-12 Classrooms
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ISTE Webinar on Google Earth: FAQs
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