GOOGLE EARTH
By: Ashley Park
(8)
What is Google Earth?
Google Earth is an application that allows to explore the world inside and out without needing a plane ticket. It allows you to explore a virtual globe and look through the perspective of satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, dive into our oceans, and so much more (3). The advancement of the geographical features Google Earth has developed to provide, you are able to look at the details of places you've always dreamed of visiting. Using this app, you're able to:
- Explore the Sky: with this, reach beyond the blue skies and get to know our solar system.
- Walk on the Moon: get the chance to see what it was like to be an Apollo astronaut on the moon and experience 3D tours and models of the landed spacecraft.
- Visit Mars: the moon wasn't enough? Then go right ahead to explore this Red Planet of ours.
- Discover the Earth: get an idea of where to go on your next vacation; learn the city from inside out, city's geographic features, its hot spots to visit, distance from this destination to your next.
- Dive in the Ocean: explore what really goes on underneath the depths of our oceans; underwater climate changes, endangered species/unknown species, underwater canyons... and more than you thought you ever knew.
(7)
How do you use Google Earth?
Google Earth will start you out with a satellite view of the world. By clicking ad dragging on the planet will spin the globe allowing you to explore any part of the world. When using your mouse's trackball to scroll, by scrolling up and down will zoom in and out; zooming in all the way will enable you to reach a zoom point where you can see cross-streets, 3D images of buildings and in some areas, the zoom's close ups will be detailed just enough to visibly recognize cars and people. Although, in some areas, rural areas, the image may not be as clear as other locations due to low resolution satellite imagery- but areas of the world that are heavily populated, Google Earth imagery will give you clear, on-the-spot access to find historical locations, monuments, well-known national parks, tourist attractions, or get driving information from point A to point B.
Tilt what?
If allowed to see objects in 3D, it'd be nice to have a 360 degree perspective around the entire object right? With the tilt view, you can. Tilting the globe will allow you to view close-ups as if you were looking through a bird's eye-view; the tilt feature will also better enhance your perspective around 3D buildings, geographical locations, business hot spots, etc...
Layers and layers..?
Another feature that is widely used is the Layers feature. Once you've picked out a place you would really like to know more about and in which Google Earth can provide you every bit of information of that location... looking at all that information could be confusing and overwhelming. With Layers, Google Earth will provide all information about roads, rest spots, border labels, parks, food, gas, lodging, entertainment, in layers (which can be turned on or off) (2).
How do you use Google Earth in classrooms?
The students will be able to explore Google Earth and learn about all its features and capabilities.
You could have assignments that deal with Google Earth and everything to do with math.
Assignment 1:
Have the students pick a destination they would like to go for the summer with 3 other friends- driving distance.
Once destination is picked- find it on Google Earth and find directions list that provides them mileage distance and time.
Now, have them pick two cars to compare with- can't be the same car.
When picking cars, they have to consider size of the car (ie. a bigger car with more room to fit food or other essentials; so no need to stop for food as much), how big the tanks are of each car, gas prices, mpg of each car etc...
They must calculate how much money they will be needing to spend to reach their final destination- the cost split by each person on the trip and calculate approximately when they will arrive the their destination as well.
They must calculate and compare the total cost trip between the two cars they chose and decided which will be the better decision.
Assignment 2:
Pick a city.
Find a rural area- locate grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, schools, police/fire stations, etc...
Decide where the best location/neighborhood would be in relation to all the above places listed
Where the best location would be to live in that's in reasonable distance to the places you think are important to be closer to.
Calculate the distances from each place and decide where the best neighborhood is for you.
Assignment 3:
Google Earth provides a lot with geographical features around the world- this wouldn't just be useful for Geography, Earth Science classes...
Students can-
Calculate the volume of the Great Pyramids and estimate the land area lost to Amazon deforestation (1).
Explore distance, velocity, and wave properties of tsunamis by looking at the Figi Island Tsunami within Google Earth (1).
Resources:
1. http://sitescontent.google.com
2. http://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/
3. http://support.google.com/earth
4. http://www.youtube.com/user/mkbarth?ob=0&feature=results_main
5. http://www.google.com/earth/learn/beginner.html
6. http://www.google.com/earth/explore/showcase/ocean.html#explore-oceans
7. http://www.google.com/earth/index.html
8. http://cdn.thenextweb.com/files/2010/08/google-earth-5-screenshot.png
