Reflection 5 - Week 6

Wow!
So many ICT's to look at this week. It was quite overwhelming seeing the long list of tools that we could potentially use as teachers in the classroom. After having a look through the tools that were listed I am focusing my blog on Google Earth.

Source: Google Images

When I started looking at Google Earth and its functionality in the classroom, my 9 year old saw the application and thought it was fantastic. His comment 'That is cool! That will be great for Geography. I'm going to tell my teacher about Google Earth when I get back school.' It was great to see that is was an interesting concept. I see that this can be a great tool for all ages.

I have used Google maps before, however, not Google Earth. I found it to be exciting and interesting and instantly saw that it can be used for many subject areas. Google Earth gives you access to visual information and access to anywhere in the world without having to leave the classroom. How great is that! Students will have the opportunity to explore numerous places with Google Earth.

While exploring Google Earth I thought about how I could incorporate it into my subject areas. Here are just a few of the many ideas:

Source: Google Images

Mathematics - using the ruler tool in Google Earth students can measure distances. It can be measure measuring the distance from one place to another or measuring the area of a piece of land or a building to later on find the area.

Business Studies - Google Earth can be used as an exercise of seeing where in the world an Organisation operates in the world my marking the offices/sites of the organisation on Google Earth.

The website Real World Math is a great website to accompany Google Earth. It gives some great ideas of what you can use Google Earth for in a lesson. Follow the link to Real World Math to see how many possibilities there are with Google Earth.

SAMR

In the Enhancement stage of the SAMR model Google Earth can substitute atlases, globes and maps.

In the Transformative stage Google Earth allows you to get up close satellite views of any part of the world that you are researching. Students can visually see the landscape of mountains and measure accurate distances of areas instead of relying on pictures and books. It gives students access to the World without having to leave their classroom.

PMI

Plus

• Google Earth can be used for a variety of subject areas.
• It is free to download
• Easy to navigate
• Great functions

Minuses

Source: Google Images

• Students can get easily distracted from the task they have been assigned to do.
• The satellite images are few years behind. Some visuals may be inaccurate.

Interesting

• You can view satellite images of the Moon and Mars.
• You can view the galaxy
• Google Earth can take you anywhere in the world.

 References:

Measuring Distance with Google Earth. Image Retrieved 14.04.2015. www.gearthblog.com

Google Maps Education. www.maps.google.com/help/maps/education/learn/html.

Real World Math. www.realworldmath.org