Google Earth

For this assignment I had to take my google map that I created previously, and import it as a KML file into Google Earth to create a more detailed map.  This was neat!  I found the location of my home, and showed my son.  He said he's used this site to navigate areas at school, so this goes to show the advancement of technology being used within classrooms.  It was new to me, so I had to play around with it's features.  Anyway, after I created my google earth image I had to capture it using Jing.  I saved the image on my computer and also on Jing's screencast.  I got the image as detailed as possible.  I clicked the 3D feature and zoomed in on it, and this is what I got.  There's a lot of green, but it is West Virginia.

A KML file in a Keyhole Markup Language file.  A google map can be imported into Google Earth through a KML file.  In order to import the file, open your google map and click on KML and then send it to the brower of Google Earth.  Open Google Earth, and look for the title of your map created in google maps and you will see the import.  Click on the title and use the features in the layout view.  One may want to import a google map into Google Earth in order to view a more detailed layout of the marked places.    

   Click here to view my Google Earth image 

After viewing Google Earth for Educators  I chose a lesson plan connected to using Google Earth linking History and Geography together. The lesson is a 5th grade Scavenger Hunt of Capital Cities in the United States. This lesson will allow the students to use Google Earth in order to explore and aid in learning the 50 U.S. states, and their capital cities.  Click here to view the lesson plan in Google Docs. 

This activity goes along with teaching standard function: 3D and 4D.  Allowing my students to explore the U.S. using Google Earth will allow them to gain a greater understanding of the 50 states and their capitals. This will provide them with an image to aid in a mental connection in remembering the capital cities for the 50 states.  I have gained insights on ways to incorporate Google Earth into lessons to improve teaching, as well as student learning.  I absolutely love the Google Earth for Educators site.  This provides me with various lessons that use technology that I can use with my students.