Google Earth and Google Maps

In this day and age, with the advancements in technology and survalience, it is amazing to see at what the average individual with a computer and internet connection can access with the click of a button. By simply entering an address or location into a program called google maps, the internet user can view real life pictures of the location, from a viarety of angles. It is obvious that when all this information is easily avaliable and for free, it can be an invaluable tool for student's not only in high school, but in primary school and university.

Google Earth develops the images of the cities of the world by incorporating pictures taken of a particular location, from a variety of angles, and adjusting it to meet the needs of the program. IN the latest version of Google Earth, the moon and Mars are included and can be easily viewed, as well as below the oceans surface. Another application invovled in Google Earth is the ability to fly a plane around a paritcular location. THerefore, the user is able to view different parts of a town, city or country.

Google Maps does not have as many features as Google Earth, yet it is still a very valuable teaching tools as student's can view streets, cities, and locations around the world with extremely clear footage of these areas.
Google Earth is available in some schools around Australia. I know from personal experience that many schools in Mackay have Google Earth downloaded and avaliable for students. By incorporating google Earth into the classroom, teachers open up a " world of information" for students to access and be involved in. Google Earth could be incorpoarated into a vairety of learning subjects, such as SOSE, English, Biology, Science, HPE and others.

When using this technology as a teacher, I would try to ensure all students remain on task, as this type of technology has the ability to distract students. Student's could become distracted by looking at their house or friend's house, and not focus on the task at hand. However, i believe google earth is an amazing teaching tool that will be very usefull to me as i am studying to be a PE and SOSE teacher.