Google Earth: The World in Our Hands

Google Earth is a tool I will play with for hours. I have always been aware of this application, but never really considered its use in education. It doesn’t need much thought though, as it can be used to show students exactly what a particular country looks like or any location that is being studied regardless of the curriculum area. There is also the added benefit of Google Street View and Google maps.

Maps have always been a bit disconnected from reality, yet Google earth allows students to relate and interact with their map. Prensky (2005) believes that students today have so much interaction in their everyday life that school work is in comparison, non relevant. Google earth can bring relevance to the curriculum. Tasks could be given that are similar to a treasure map, so that students are required to find specific landmarks in order to reach their destination, or areas of degradation of the environment illustrated first hand through exploration on Google earth. The opportunities are endless, the technology unbelievable and we literally have the world in our hands.


Reference:

Prensky, M. (2005). Engage me or enrage me. Educause Review, Retrieved July 22, from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0553.pdf