Tech Tuesday
Google Maps...cool ways to use it in the classroom
Google Maps
If you are like me, Google Maps is my best friend when I need directions. Many times, I have hopped in the car by myself and set off on a journey...depending on the directions and suggestions of what I like to call "Google Girl". The days of the paper map and the highlighter have passed. I now type in my destination...and she not only tells me the fastest route and every turn along the way...but what time I should arrive. Google Maps, however, goes waaaay beyond a few roads and bridges. What if I told you it could be used to study weather patterns? What if I told you it could be used for a writing activity? What if I told you it will allow you to see where the sun is in relation to Earth in real time? You are going to want to keep reading, because there are some surprises you do not want to miss below.
Meet Pegman... He's ready for Adventure! Are you?
Go to the link above...and then click on the "chevrons" in the bottom right corner (see pic below)
Choose Earth view...and zoom out (using the - button)
The more you zoom out...real time clouds will show up. This can come in handy if you are studying weather patterns with your students. It is a fabulous feature, however, during hurricane season. You can actually track the storm with your students in live time.
If you click on the globe and hold down the touch pad - you can spin the globe with another finger
Zoom out ALL THE WAY...you can see how the sun shines on different parts of the Earth 24 hours a day!
This is a great way to teach your kids about time differences around the world. Notice how the real-time images show the lights glowing in the different cities? Wouldn't this be a cool way to teach your students the difference between rural and urban areas? Talk about a great lesson on inferences! During a solar eclipse....you can watch the turn of events in real time. The possibilities are endless!
Take a Tour of the Moon or Mars....
Studying space? Studying volcanoes?
How about having your students find the Sea of Tranquility on the moon?
Studying volcanoes? Find Olympus Mons on Mars. Now that....is neat!
I teach Language Arts...how can I possibly use Google Maps?
Google Maps is the perfect way to choose the setting for creative writing. In the bottom right hand corner...you will find a little yellow man. His name is "Pegman". You can pick him up by clicking on him and drop him anywhere in the world you would like to. Once he lands, you will have a 360-degree view. Why not drop him in England and make this the setting of your story? Maybe you will be lucky enough to land near a castle! If there happen to be people in the picture...make them the characters. Use this to build background knowledge for a lesson you are teaching. Sometimes it really helps students if they can get an idea of the terrain. Their knowledge grows if they can look around. It is the ultimate virtual field trip. This is awesome! Give it a try.
Drop your students here...and let them write about their adventure.
Or what about here?
What if you had your students research that particular area and create a brochure with facts?
Google Maps could DEFINITELY lead your students to their next learning adventure!
A special shout-out to my EdTech Team friend Donnie (who teaches in KY but graduated from Auburn) for some of these fabulous ideas. You are awesome!
Let me hear from you...
Email: jburnett@mscs.k12.al.us
Website: flippinghp.blogspot.com
Location: Highland Park Elementary School, Elmhurst Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL, United States
Phone: 256-389-2620
Facebook: www.facebook.com/teacherstechacademy
Twitter: @Jb4tech