Google Earth

Google Earth is a program that I am particularly familiar with. My family regularly have visitors from foreign countries and other parts of Australia and during each visit we will often ask our guests to show us where they live on Google Earth. By doing this, not only is it a great conversation starter but it also enables us to learn more about our visitors.

This program could easily be used in a similar way in a classroom. The new student in a class could use a computer, or interactive whiteboard to show his/her classmates where they used to live. Along with this, Google Earth could be used by students during geography lessons to compare the topography and landscapes of other parts of the country.

Many students in remote parts of Australia have never even been to the beach, yet they are studying a unit on ‘The Ocean’, Google Earth gives an opportunity for these students to get a better look at these unfamiliar environments.

Through my own use of the website I have discovered that many parts of the United Kingdom are unavailable for closer inspection through the program. This is an interesting fact which could be used to make a point to older students who may be studying the different political structures or safety codes of other countries, and indeed the reasoning behind such issues.

Programs such as Google Earth are marvellous learning tools, because they combine a number of factors to engage students. Not only do they utilise and appeal to the students’ electronic interests and abilities, but they also provide a real life connection with what they are learning about in school, as well as aiding inclusive education practises by allowing students to learn about their peers and share their own experiences.

Google. (2009). Google Earth 5.0. Retrieved on 15 August, 2009 from earth.google.com