Classroom Activities

Google Earth in the Classroom

Teachers and students can create their own virtual tours and share them with others within the classroom. This program allows people to be able to see real life images as if you were standing right in front of it. It now even has a device that allows vision and exploration of the night sky.



Students can use Google earth to:

-Create tours of their school or community

-Study climate change and the effects of global warning

-Track earthquakes in real time

-Explore the animal kingdom and endangered species with National Geographic content



Teachers can use Google Earth to:

-Set the scene for history, literature, astronomy, and other lessons

-Adapt traditionally abstract lessons to the “real world” by having students interact with “real-time” data such as weather, earthquakes, bird migrations, etc…



• What is the tool?

Google Earth



• How can it be used?

Google Earth can be used to give students a real life view of anything in the world. Instead of viewing pictures out of a text book, the students can virtually see it right within their own classrooms.



• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tool?

The advantages to this program are that the students are physcially being able to see the accurate picture of what they are studying, making it more of an appealing subject to the learner. A visual of something is sometimes more effective, than words spoken or a simple picture out of a text book. The disadvantages would be if the program was down for reason or if the picture was blurry and the students could not grasp an accurate concept of what is being taught and discussed.



• Who is the audience for this tool?

I believe this tool could be used for any grade level. Any visual is good and necessary for any age learner.



• Where can we learn more about this tool?

Google Earth

Download Google Earth Here

• What is your opinion on the usefulness of this tool?

I believe this tool is very useful and will be successful in the classroom. I've already had the opportunity to practice with the tool and it gives a great visual aspect to certain things and subjects.



Google Sketch-Up

This is a program that empowers students to be 3D designers. Students can use Sketch-Up to visualize geometry and other mathematical concepts, create model buildings and learn about architecture,



• What is the tool?

Google Sketch-Up



• How can it be used?

This program allows students to creat 3D images, which is a great tool to use for when teaching mathematics.



• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tool?

An advantage to using this program in the classroom is that students gain a true concept of an image, instead of looking at a flat surface. This will definitely help with mathematical concepts or if a person is interested in architecture. The students can see the whole aspect of the image.



• Who is the audience for this tool?

Once again, this program is appropriate for any age; however, the younger elementary students may not be able to create the images themselves, but teachers could create the images and then present them to the students. This program would truly help younger students gain the concept of prisms.



• Where can we learn more about this tool?

Google Sketch UP

Download Here



• What is your opinion on the usefulness of this tool?

I think this tool will be very effective in the classroom. It will be fun for the students because it is more of an hands on activity, but in addition the students will gain great knowledge and understanding of the concept of the subject.



Google Picasa

What is it?

Picasa helps you instantly organize, edit, and share all the pictures on your PC. It automatically locates all your pictures and sorts them into albums. Picasa also makes advanced photo editing simple. Picasa Web Albums allow photos from Picasa to be uploaded to the web quickly and easily. Mac users can do this as well through IPhoto. Students and parents can then access an online slideshow and download the pictures they like.

• What is the tool?

Picasa



• How can it be used?

Students can use Picasa to:

• Organize and manage photos for projects and reports.

• Quickly edit photos and other images.

• Share photos of school events with friends and family.

Teachers can use Picasa to:

• Create an album for each student.

• Quickly create a slideshow for open house.

• Share field trip photos online for parents.



• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tool?

Advantages are the tools available for creating and organizing detailed images. And also for teachers and students to have access to a professional program that helps with the quaility of photos and creating slide shows and pictures for other forms of events. The accessiblity of this program is quick and easy.



• Who is the audience for this tool?

This program is probably more appropriate for high students. However, this program is appropriate for any teacher at any grade level. Many teachers will find success through this program.



• Where can we learn more about this tool?

Learn features about Picasa

Picasa at google

What is your opinion on the usefulness of this tool?

I think this program will be more useful for teachers than students; however, I do believe students would enjoy this program for leisure, especially if they are into creating and designing things.