Using Google Earth in the Classroom

“Google Earth provides startling clear satellite views of the globe in an interactive 3D environment.  Beyond the visual, users can add place marks, annotations, photos, and models, as well as measure distances and draw paths”. (Real World Math - Using Google Earth in the Math Curriculum) With Google Earth, students can use the Line and Path measurement tools to find distances that are challenging to measure. They can use the ruler to measure distances. Thomas J Petra from RealWorldMath.org provides some math lessons using Google Earth (Real World Math - Using Google Earth in the Math Curriculum). Kevin Smith uses Google Earth to teach area, perimeter, geometry, and many other mathematical concepts (Teach Area and Perimeter Using Google Earth), and so do a lot of other people. These lessons are aligned to NYS Math Standards: 4.R.1 Use verbal and written language, physical models, drawing charts, graphs, tables, symbols, and equations as representations. Here are other videos showing how to use Google Earth to teach Math concepts:

      1.      Finding Perimeter with Google Earth by Luis Manuel Morais

    2.  Technoliciously Using Google Earth for Teachers shows “How to find the perimeter of a building on Google Earth.

     Google Earth can be used to teach different subjects. For example Google Earth can used for a fourth grade science class while studying  UNIT 4 INTERACTIONS OF AIR, WATER, AND LAND (K-8 Science Scope and Sequence p. 5) when students are supposed to investigate the negative and  positive impact of extreme natural events (earthquake, volcanoes, etc.) on living things. Students can plot the locations of the extreme weather conditions in the US that happened in their lifetime. First they have to do a little research where those extreme weather conditions happened. Then they can type those places in the box under the tab Fly to. They can click the Add Placemark icon to save each location where those extreme weather conditions happened then add description as well as pictures for each location. Then they can record a tour to the different locations where those extreme weather conditions happened. Google Earth can also be use to teach a fourth grade Social Studies lesson about the strategic role of New York City and New York State in the Revolutionary War (geography, battles, key figures, etc.) under Unit 3 Colonial and Revolutionary Periods (New York City K-8 Social Studies Scope and Sequence p. 15). They can mark or add Placemark where the events happened, add descriptions of the events as well as pictures of the key figures then record a Google Earth Tour. 

     Sources:

     Morais, L. M. (2008, September 30). Finding Perimeter with Google Earth. Retrieved from You         Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my2in0GnmSE

     
     Petra, T. J. (n.d.). Real World Math - Using Google Earth in the Math Curriculum. Retrieved from RealWorldMath.org: http://realworldmath.org/Real_World_Math/RealWorldMath.org.html

Runescapefantasyinc. (2009, June 8). Technoliciously Using Google Earth for Teachers. Retrieved from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFbVY60p_5I

Smith, K. (2006, December 13). Teach Area and Perimeter Using Google Earth. Retrieved from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHwrehm6HO8

Using Google Maps in the Classroom

Students can use Google Maps during Physics class. Dale Basler use Google Maps to map out different bus routes in his class neighborhood. He asked students to map out the route with a line (this gave them the route’s distance) find the average time needed for the bus to make a complete loop calculate the average speed of the bus and display the results on the map. Students with extra time could earn more points if they placed a pin at each stop and entered the arrival times in each stop’s description. They could also calculate the average speed from stop-to-stop. (Bus routes and Google Maps help teach physics). This lesson is done in an engaging way as well as aligned to NYS Math Standards S3.4 Adjust their explanations and understandings of objects and events based on their findings and new ideas. Jeffrey Branzburg shared that the Planimeter, a feature of the Google Maps connects any three points you clicked on a map into a triangle and computes the area, not only that, as you click on additional points, the area of the triangle adjusts too as the triangle expands into a many-sided polygon (Use Google Maps Mashups in K-12 Education). This lesson is aligned to the NYS Grade 4 Math Standards 4.R.4 which is: Use standard and nonstandard representations with accuracy and detail.

When seventh grade students are studying distance (Mathematics Scope and Sequence  p. 10 -7.M.1* Calculate distance using a map), they can use Google Maps  to calculate the distance from their house to the different places in their community. To take this further, they can use GMap to create a map of their favorite places in the community, their last vacation or their dream vacation. They can add comments and pictures to make the tour interesting. Since they had just studied area in the previous quarter they can also find the area of their yard, the school yard, and other places in the community like their favorite mall’s parking lot using Planimeter, a feature of the Google Maps  or they can go to http://maps.google.com/maps?showlabs=1&ftr=misc.distance to enable the measurement tool on their Google map. 

Sources:

Basler, D. (2007, October 23). Bus routes and Google Maps help teach physics. Retrieved from Dale Basler: http://www.dalebasler.com/2007/10/bus-routes-and-google-maps-help-teach-physics/

Branzburg, J. (2006, May 15). Use Google Maps Mashups in K-12 Education. Retrieved from Tech&Learning: http://www.techlearning.com/article/use-google-maps-mashups-in-k-12-education/43534

Using SketchUp in the Classroom

SketchUp is a FREE, fun, and engaging 3D modeling program. Students can use SketchUp to produce colorful and interesting geometric models. Videos: SketchUp in Action shows videos how SketchUp can be used to teach Geometry. SketchUp can also be used to make puzzles as shown by bonnieroskes in 3DVinci:Puzzles(SketchUp Projects) so teachers can load a picture of a plant from the 3D warehouse then make a puzzle out of it for students when second grade students are studying Unit 3 Plant Diversity, where they are supposed to identify and compare the physical structures of a variety of plants parts (seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots) (K-8 Science Scope and Sequence) p. 3, they can download different plant from the 3D warehouse label them then divide them into parts as a puzzle. Teachers can also use SketchUp to demonstrate concepts such as area. The students can create shapes and SketchUp automatically give them the measurement of the sides of the polygons they created so they can use this information to determine the area of the polygon they created. They can use the Label Tool to add annotations which in this lesson would be the area.