Description: "Google Earth displays satellite images of varying resolution of the Earth's surface, allowing users to see things like cities and houses looking perpendicularly down or at an oblique angle (see also bird's eye view)" (Wikipedia).
Uses in the Classroom: Google Earth has so many different uses that is hard to narrow it down into one blog post or even one conversation. Many different subjects can be touched using this tool as well. The way I had heard of Google Earth being used the most was for geography. I had never even thought about the other subjects that can be implemented through this technology. Because other subjects are new to me unlike geography, I am choosing to focus on one in particularly: Math.
Google Earth and Math: The video below was one of my favorites that I wanted regarding this technology. Side note: there are tons and tons of videos/tutorials available for Google Earth. I liked this video best because the idea of doing perimeter and area using Google Earth had literally never crossed my mind until I saw the title of the video pop up in one of my searches.
Obviously from the video I posted above, there are many possible lessons that can be created in measurement. There is also a website I found that listed some possible math lessons teaching students how to estimate distances. I found this to be beneficial and I am sure it would also be fun for the students. Visit this site if you are interested in some great lesson ideas using Google Earth.
Affordances: Google earth can be a great tool to use when trying to relate math, or any other subjects, to the real world. Also, places that are familiar to the students can be used in lessons because they are able to be found easily using this tool. Google Earth is also free which can never be a bad thing. Students can access Google Earth if they have a computer and internet access at home.
Constraints: Some students may not have the access or the experiences that many students have online. When I hopped on Google Earth a few days ago to explore the tool for this post, I found myself very distracted. I couldn't focus on the goals of me signing on because I wanted to just explore the places that I know. I realize that the enjoyment is a good thing but it will be important to make sure goals are met by the students teachers.
Relating Google Earth to TPACK:
I think it is easy to see that using Google Earth is easily placed into the Technological Knowledge area of the above diagram. An educator would need to learn about the technology before adding in the Content Knowledge they would like their students to learn while using this tool. Pedagogical Knowledge is hard to gain if an educator does not have years of experience but is an important area of TPACK. The educator will need to use teaching strategies, such as talking about math with a partner/aloud to the class. The educator will need to be familiar with the content knowledge, such as area and perimeter. Lastly, the educator is going to need to be familiar with the technology they are using for the lesson, such as Google Earth. If all three of these things are truly met then TPACK is truly met.
I considered doing Google Earth as my technology last week but then I thought, "No. I'm an English teacher. What use would I have for it?"
ReplyDeleteBut now after reading your post, I'm reconsidering. For instance, it would be a great activity in the classroom to "tak"e students to England using Google Earth and see the Globe Theatre where Shakespeare performed. Or to see Jane Austen's house.
Google Earth has the power to transport us out of the classroom and into the world. That is pretty cool.