Google Earth is a program that allows us the ability to show places in a 3 dimensional aspect. After searching for my residence I found that it marked where my house was incorrectly and that it was a very low resolution. The only things I can make out of my neighborhood is the road that goes thru my neighborhood and the cul-de-sacs that it creates, that is how I was able to figure out which house was mine.
The Taj Mahal came in very clear and I could make out the details of the building and explore around the grounds. As I looked around the image I found it very interesting how I could see photos that Google users had submitted. Some of these photos are random things from around the Taj Mahal but none the less they are interesting and I feel would allow students to get a grasp of the area surrounding what ever location you are looking at. I did enjoy exploring around the Taj Mahal and looking at different details by zooming in and out. I also noticed that you can set up a Tour using Google Earth. This tool alone could be very useful as you can help students place a visual with what topics you have discussed.
Opening up Google Maps and clicking my places I was able to see a link for KML, I clicked this link and downloaded the file. I went back to Google Earth clicked open and then opened the KML file. The markers from Google Map were now viewable in Google Earth. These markers were now making it easier to find the places I wanted to show instead of searching for each individual one. Doing this would allow me to aim students to the places I wanted them to go without slowing down faster working students but yet helping students who might have problems using Google Earth. By zooming in on each point students would be able to see what each place looks like and then "virtually" walk around the area to see what it looks like. By importing the Google Maps information on my field trip to Google Earth I was able to turn my physical field trip into a virtual field trip that all students could experience.
The below images show what the map on Google Earth looked like before my import of the KML information and then shows what the map looked like after the import of the information.
ISTE NET-T Standards
I feel that we have touched on the following standards with this exercise.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
I feel that we have touched on A, B, C, and D with this process. We are showing innovative thinking and inventiveness in my opinion by organizing the field trip using Google Maps and then transferring it to a virtual field trip. Once we are on the virtual field trip side we are engaging students to look at real-world issues by using digital tools and resources depending on our topic. For example if a dam is set to be taken down students could explore the area around the waterway to see how it is going to affect the surrounding area while working to see if any solution could be made for it. While working thru this we are getting students to reflect on what they are seeing in front of them while giving them a conceptual understanding of what we are talking about. We are taking ideas and providing students with images to tie them to.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
B under this one falls into the project exactly. If I take this project and turn it over to students and allow them to plan a trip out as we did and then convert it to Earth we are then allowing students to pursue their own curiosities. As a teacher this will allow is to get away from being the sage on a stage to being a guide for students as they learn.
I feel that we have touched on the following standards with this exercise.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
I feel that we have touched on A, B, C, and D with this process. We are showing innovative thinking and inventiveness in my opinion by organizing the field trip using Google Maps and then transferring it to a virtual field trip. Once we are on the virtual field trip side we are engaging students to look at real-world issues by using digital tools and resources depending on our topic. For example if a dam is set to be taken down students could explore the area around the waterway to see how it is going to affect the surrounding area while working to see if any solution could be made for it. While working thru this we are getting students to reflect on what they are seeing in front of them while giving them a conceptual understanding of what we are talking about. We are taking ideas and providing students with images to tie them to.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
B under this one falls into the project exactly. If I take this project and turn it over to students and allow them to plan a trip out as we did and then convert it to Earth we are then allowing students to pursue their own curiosities. As a teacher this will allow is to get away from being the sage on a stage to being a guide for students as they learn.
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