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Google Earth
What is it? 
Google Earth is a virtual globe program that maps the Earth by superimposing images obtained from satellite imagery and aerial photography. Additionally, users can view stars and astronomical images.
Google Earth allows users to search and view locations such as schools, parks, restaurants, points of interest, and even a home address. In addition, users can measure distances between points, set up information feeds, create content, download and view files, create real-time compilations of data, and integrate video, photos, podcasts, and other media.
Google Earth
What are the educational uses and benefits?
Information Context
- Gives geographical context to content
- Integrates readily available technology, geography, and the subject matter to provide physical contexts for data.
- Gives context for spatial and cultural differences
- Users can visit the scenes of historical or current events
Research & Presentation
- Allows users to store a large amount of information in an easy to use interface
- Allows students to create content and display interactive content
Reaching Multiple Learning Styles
- Allows visual and kinesthetic learners to manipulate content
Google Earth
How do I get started?
The Application
Google Earth is a free application that can be downloaded from the Google Earth home page. The free Google Earth application has some limited applications and there are upgraded version available for a fee.
Navigating Google Earth
The following resources explain how to navigate with Google Earth
- Atlas Gloves: A DIY Hand Gesture Interface for Google Earth
- Google Earth Basics: from the Google Earth Blog
- Google Earth How-to's: From Google Earth Lessons
- Introduction to How Google Earth Works: from How Stuff Works
- See Google Earth in Action: from Google Earth
Utilizing Google Earth in the Classroom
The following examples illustrate various ways in which Google Earth is being used both the face to face and distance education classroom:
- "Battlefield Walks" from Google Earth Lessons: Allows students to research Civil War battlefields. Students can plot troop positions, create placemarks, and view information on the Civil War.
- "The Diamond Trade" from Google Earth Lessons: Teaches students about the diamond industry.
- "Endangered Planet Project" from Google Earth Lessons: Students plot details and images from around the world geographically placing endangered species.
Google Earth
Where can I learn more?
- 7 Things You Should Know About Google Earth: A PDF document with detailed description of the educational uses and benefits of Google Earth
- Atlas Gloves: A series of tutorials on how to navigate within Google Earth
- Educational Uses of Google Maps: An Blog with information on using Google Earth in education.
- Google Earth Basics: information on how to use Google Earth from the Google Earth Blog
- Google Earth Home: The Google Earth home page.
- Google Earth Blog: Examples of how to use Google Earth for educational purposes
- Google Earth Education Community: A community forum with examples uses of Google Earth in education as well as suggestions on how to get started with Google Earth.
- Google for Educators: Information from Google on using Google Earth in education
- Google Earth How-to's: Examples and How to use Google Earth
- Google Earth User Guide: Getting Started with Google Earth
- Introduction to How Google Earth Works: from How Stuff Works
- Juicy Geography: Google Earth Lesson examples
- See Google Earth in Action: from Google Earth
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