Week 7: Google Earth and Google Maps

Google Earth has several advantages in stimulating learning.
Students can use Google Earth in a varieties of ways such as :
- earth environment
- historical places around the world
- biology

Since Google Earth is also a web-based application, it facilitates useful functions to zoom in/out images, place a mark on wherever you would like to focus on. This application also allows us to compare different parts in different countries at the same time due to its ability to turn the globe around.

As an example of using Google Earth is that of having a visual image of the oil spill that affected the Gulf of Mexico recently. The affected area and its size are explained on this application and impacts on our knowledge at a global level.



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Google Map also brings benefits to learning. This also shows strength in subjects like history, environment and science. For example, it is interesting to create a map regarding a historical place exploring around the world, using ground images and satellite photographs empowered by Google Map technologies.

The greatest strength I found on both Google Earth and Google Map is all these information above is geographically-related. The only problem I can see is that educators have to make sure they have fast Internet connection for many students to use. If the applications are planned for each student to use at home, I consider that situation prevents some students from having opportunities for technologically interactive learning.

A technology-driven future has to be related to what happens currently, therefore, both applications have much potential for more educational uses.