Journal 7: "Google Earth"

Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographic information program that maps the earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery and aerial photography. You can find and see images of most any place around the world as well as measure in miles, kilometers, and more. From the main discussion thread I learned that students can use the program in their classroom as a fun tool and not even realize they are doing school work. It makes a fun learning environment for the students to do something new. There was an open ended problem solving activity where students were the “coast guards” they were given wind, currents and other parameters and then had to devise a search plan and map it using the Google earth function. The main thread was asking how to use Google earth in the math or science fields. She got many responses but some of the ideas were to use Google earth for plotting and tracking a typhoon or using population figures in a project somehow. It was a very interesting discussion on Google earth and makes me want to go check out that program more to see what other lesson plans I could create to use in my own classroom.