Google+Earth

=Google Earth =

What is it?
Google is a 3D mapping program from Google that covers the entire globe from satellite images. Requiring a download for Windows, Mac and Linux desktops, a street address can be searched, and the views can be zoomed down to the individual building all the way up to a satellite's view of the globe. Google Earth can be used to view points of interest as well as obtain driving directions between two locations.

Google Earth allows you to travel the world through a virtual globe and view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, and much more. With Google Earth's rich, geographical content, you are able to experience a more realistic view of the world. You can fly to your favorite place, search for businesses and even navigate through directions. It's all up to you! Although the options within Google Earth are endless, here are a few things you can do:


 * //Discover the Earth//: Fly to any location in the world, learn about a city and it's geographic features, find local businesses, and create tours.
 * //Explore the Sky//: Enjoy the wonders of the heavens and learn about our solar system.
 * //Dive in the Ocean//: Go beneath the surface and visit the depths of the ocean and explore the planet's deepest underwater canyons. Learn about ocean observations, climate change, and endangered species. You can even discover new places to surf, dive and fish.
 * //Walk on the Moon//: Take tours of landing sites narrated by Apollo astronauts and view 3D models of landed spacecraft.
 * //Visit Mars//: Travel the Red Planet and explore NASA's latest imagery of our galactic neighbor

How can Google Earth be used in the classroom?
Google Earth can help bring a world of information alive for students. It can be used with all grade levels, and the possibilities are endless with imagination! Students can use Google Earth to explore topics like the progress of human civilization, the growth of cities, the impact of civilization on the natural environment, and the impact of natural disasters like hurricanes. Teachers can use Google Earth demos to get their students excited about geography beyond the static map, or use different Google Earth layers to study transportation, demographics, economics, and in specific local or exotic contexts.

Students can use Google Earth to:[[image:Google_Earth_2.jpg align="right"]]

 * Explore the animal kingdom and endangered species with the National Geographic layer and other content.
 * Create annotated place markers indicating location of school and points of interest in their town such as the local fire and police stations, the city library, local parks, and museums.
 * Study climate change and the effects of global warming.
 * Create tours of their school or community.
 * Track earthquakes in real-time.

Teachers can use Google Earth to:

 * Set the scene for geography, history, literature, astronomy and other lessons.
 * Involve students in pro-active engagement in a wide-range of Google Outreach projects.
 * Adapt traditionally abstract lessons to the “real-world” by having students interact with virtual “real-time” data such as weather, earthquakes, etc.

To find out more information on how Google Earth can be used in the classroom visit the websites below: @http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/ @http://static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/untrusted_dlcp/www.google.com/en/us/educators/activities/pdfs_GTA/CribSheet.Earth5.pdf

The video below shows an example of how Google Earth is incorporated into the classroom: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn8yecsqNDA&feature=related

Interested in Google Earth? Download this website: @http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

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