Google Earth Discussion in Second Life

IST 611 Welcome to Week 10 in Second Life:

This week we are going to be discussing the Web 2.0 technology Google Earth in Second Life Wiki. I am going be posting our questions here this week to give you the opportunity to use this technology. There will be a few steps this week to understanding Google Earth. You will first need to set up a second life account at http://secondlife.com/ and then log in at https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Special:UserLogin. You can then respond to this week's discussion at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Google_Earth_Discussion_in_Second_Life or at the main page, go to the search button in second life wiki and search for Google Earth Discussion in Second Life.

Step One-Explore Search, and Discover the Google Earth website at http://earth.google.com/. You have also been provided with a video tutorial to Google Earth at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYapu-TDW30. Also read about Google Earth at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth

Step Two-You will also be introduced to three websites to learn about how educators are using Google Earth in classrooms.

Ancient Rome 3D Curriculum Competition at http://www.google.com/educators/romecontest.html

Google Earth Education Community at http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/dherring/ge/googleearth.html

Google Lit Trips at http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/dherring/ge/googleearth.html

Step Three-You will respond to two questions about Google Earth. I am looking forward to reading your responses.

Question 1

The article and websites assigned this week, explains the many features of Google Earth. What are your reactions to this Web 2.0 technology? Would you recommend it to others and why? Which features do you think are useful for classroom teachers? How would you use Google Earth in a classroom or library setting? Do you have any comments or ideas how Google Earth could be used in Second Life? Log in with your user name and password then click the edit button to add your responses below.

Discussion response to question 1

Include your first name (not avatar name) after each response to be acknowledged for class participation.

My first reaction to Google Earth is not a positive one. I think it's a neat tool, but I had to download THREE different things to get it to work. I also didn't like the way they tack on "Google Updater" to your download without explaining what it is or giving you an opt-out option. Based on that alone, I probably wouldn't recommend it to others. But it is a neat tool, so even if I didn't recommend it to others, I might tell someone who is interested in this type of thing about it with the caveat that they'll need to download a million things to get it to work. Even though it's chalked full of features, I think the best thing about Google Earth - in an education setting - is that it gives students away to visualize the world as it relates to them and where they are in it. American students do notoriously poorly in geography (myself included - do you know where Uzbekistan is? Me neither), so any tool that helps them not only find on a map but actually SEE another part of the world is very cool. Seeing other parts of the world helps put them in context and makes them more real when the students hear about them on the news or read about them in a book. --Tasha update: I just had to install a new graphics card (and monitor because I broke the cable that was permanently connected to the monitor while disassembling everything) in order to use Second Life. After installing the new graphics card, I had no problem using Google Earth either, so apparently that was the problem. So, I'd change my non-recommendation to "would recommend with the caveat that you need a decent computer to use it. :) --tasha

'HI Tasha: I have also noticed this same problem trying to install other web 2.0 technologies on a computer that might need to be updated. --Joanne'

'Hi Tasha: I am surprised to here that you did not have a good experience using Google Earth. I am sorry to know that you would not recommend it to others. You also made an excellent point about students being able to use Google Earth to learn about geography. This is a good idea for a Social Studies teacher to use. I wish this technology was around when I was a student. I only had the atlas to use. Thank you for the insight --Joanne

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I had the total opposite experience--I was pleasantly surprised how easy Google Earth was to download and install. Go figure! Technology! : ) I think Google Earth is totally fascinating, and I would recommend it to others. My one caveat is that it seems sort of complicated. I viewed the tutorials and read the articles, but I still didn't exactly understand what was happening when I clicked on Underwater or some other option. The globe would spin and spin and stop somewhere, and I think I was supposed to click around, but it was never entirely clear. That said, I'm entranced and impressed. What a world we live in! Tasha brings up the very good point about the visual nature of this tool--so true, being able to "see" the globe and all its complications in three dimensions is such a wonderful thing and has so many educational uses! I also like the interactive nature of it as well. Being able to "fly" somewhere and choose exactly where and at what level and which layers are visible really puts the control into the hands of students, which is always a good thing. In addition, besides the focus on geography (which our culture is so notoriously poor at), there seem to be so many other features in Google Earth that tie naturally to many curricular areas: math, history, science, as well as information seeking. --Mira

'Hi Mira: It sounds like you had a lot of fun using Google Earth. How would you use Google Earth in a science or math class? I was just interested in your thoughts. --Joanne

Hi Joanne, I would use Google Earth in a math class by using different measurement skills. Sylvia's lesson on tracking distances from home to school is a great example. I imagine that higher level math classes could do similar things as well, but this time taking into account Earth's curvature and such. As for science, I'm really intrigued with the underwater/ocean feature of Google Earth and its whole environmental focus as well. --Mira

Hi Mira: I agree with you and Tasha that this is a very visual tool. Students always seem to enjoy learning something more when they have images to go with it. The images on google earth can make a lesson much more meaningful. For example, looking at a rain forest on google earth would be a great addition to a lesson on rain forests. -Meghan

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I downloaded Google Earth a couple months ago and don't remember having any problems with the download, and just upgraded to the "5.0" version without any problems. What do I think of it? Well, it IS cool... to be able to interact with a global/local map in this way. I would recommend it to others, I especially like the idea of using it to create "Lit Trips" to help readers visualize where the stories they are reading are taking place. My daughter's teacher just finished reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry to the class (a story about the Holocaust). As much as the class enjoyed the book and learned from it, I think it would have been useful, cool, and extremely relevant to have Google Earth show the places they were living and traveling to in the story. In the elementary schools in my district, 3rd graders study China and Ghana. Google Earth would be useful in those units as well... students could get a better idea where these countries are in relation to where they are and they could even see things like the Great Wall of China. The "Sky" feature is also fun - and perfect for when you're studying the solar system. Like any technology, there is a learning curve involved, and it will take time to fully appreciate all that Google Earth can offer to a classroom. I can see myself using it more and more as I grow more accustomed to using it. -- Sue

'Hi Sue: What a great idea, using Google Earth to travel to the locations that were discussed in the book "Number the Stars". I absolutely like the idea of using this web 2.0 technology in my English classes with my students. Thanks for the idea. I know my students are going to love it.--Joanne

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I definitely think that Google Earth has a place in the curriculum. Given that it seems to be quite a complex program to really utilize its potential, I would think it would be best for teachers of younger students to use it to put locations and features into context. For me,the Rome 3D lessons really illustrated how Google Earth can really integrate many content areas. Students, that were given instruction and a block of time could really, maximize their learning with Google Earth. I have enjoyed seeing some of the lessons posted using Google Earth. These lessons spur others to push the boundaries of Google Earth; resulting in creative and thoughtfully integrated lessons. It almost makes me wish I was a kid again!---Tibbi

'Hi Tibbi: Thank you for mentioning the Rome 3D lessons.--Joanne

I agree, Tibbi. I almost wish I were a kid again--I think that's because Google Earth makes me "feel" like a kid again. A kid in a candy store, in fact. I wish I had loads of free time to fiddle with it so that I could muster all of Google Earth's many exciting capabilities! --Mira

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I didn't have too much trouble downloading GoogleEarth, and managed to do it without calling for "Tech Support"! I tried to explore it over the summer when I completed my practicum, but we were not *allowed* to download it at the school. I had fun playing with it last night and I think it has many good uses in a classroom or library. I love the idea of the Google Lit Trips. All I could think of was Little House on the Prairie. So much of what we talk about involves students making personal connections to people around the world. GoogleEarth is a great way to give students an understanding of exactly where on our big, blue marble these other people and places are. I will say I was somewhat disappointed with the quality of the images in some locations. I started out in NY, and could see amazingly well, but when I tried other locations, the images were not as good. I know, it's like that comedian says...you give someone amazing new technology and in just a few minutes they complain that it isn't more amazing!! -Colleen

'Hi Colleen: The Google Lit trips are indeed a great idea. Yes, Google Earth is helping students to connect to people and places around the world. It is a fantastic atlas. --Joanne

Hi, Colleen and Joanne. I agree that Google Lit trips are a fantastic application. I also thought of the Little House books; they are a natural fit for a Google Lit trip and I plan to use them in a lesson plan! Christina

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Hope this is the right section. Yes, I see Google Earth as a real neat mapping tool. I wish we had this stuff when I was a high school student. I have already recommended it and have shown it to others. I would use this web 2.0 tool to help students find information. Not only can they research geographic areas, they can also link to historical areas (which tell something about the people who lived there). This is amazing! I see this tool as a sort of research/treasure hunt type of tool. It really brings the world into the student's hands. In Second Life, people could learn more about where they "are". This would provide a much more enriching learning environment. Sharon

Hi Sharon: I also like this concept of linking to historical areas. This is great for students to better understand about our ancestors.'--Joanne

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I would highly recommend Google Earth to anyone who is interested in enhancing their teaching. Google Earth can be used with any grade level and any subject. I like the applicatons that allow you to add weather, streets, hotels, and so many other useful tools. I think Google Earth is a vaulauble tool because it gets the students involved in their learning. This tool allows students to see what they are learning about first hand and gives them a chance to see places they may never get to visit. They also get to see historical places, and the chance to be Superman and Spiderman. This is a wonderful that anyone could use to make learning fun and has unlimited possibilities. Sara

Hey Sara... I have to agree with you about all the applications available on Google Earth (roads, 3D buildings, borders and labels, mars, sky, places of interest...) I've have fun trying some of them out. As I said before, this tool will just get better and better as one tackles the learning curve. --Sue

'Hi Sara: We meet again in Second Life. I absolutely agree that google earth is engaging because it gets students involved in their learning. They can make a connection to it. Moreover, they can visit places without having to physically get there. I do wish this was around when I was a young lad. The lesson plans provided in Google Lit Trips were also stimulating for example using google earth to track the locations found in a book. I like that idea a lot.--Joanne

I am replying late because I had trouble getting Google Earth to work properly and because I also had some trouble entering my information last night into this wiki. (I had an older version of Google Earth that had overlays that made it very slow and hard to navigate; I installed the latest version on my laptop and it was much quicker and easier to use.) Despite my troubles with Google Earth, I think it is an amazing product. It is so versatile, too, and I think it will continue to grow and improve. Just a few I found out about are historical views of places; current weather; links to National Geographic, the New York Times, Wikipedia, YouTube, and photos and live webcams; ability to track animals, see volcanos, see in 3-D, look at shipwrecks, look at Mars and into the skies, see anomalies in the earth, and see water and sanitation issues as provided by Unicef. I think there are many possible applications for Google Earth in educational institutions. I have been impressed by the variety of lesson plans submitted by our classmates. --Christina

At first, I thought google earth was difficult to use. I spent a lot of time playing with it this week and I have been impressed by the images. I think that it would be a great tool for students to use because of the visuals and the educational benefits. I am going to save this wiki page because everybody came up with such great ideas for using google earth in education. I would recommend google earth for use with students grades three and up because I think it would be too difficult for very young students to use independently. It could be used by a teacher in primary grades to show students a place they are learning about but the students would not be able to use it. I think that both google earth and second life are difficult for a first time user to navigate. I think a librarian could do a lesson and create tutorials on how to navigate these two tools. Meghan

I think it's a fun tool to use...however, incredibly time consuming to learn and use. I had no problem downloading or installing it but I am using a macintosh so it may have been a bit easier to install than a pc. I would recommend Second Life to others because it adds the element of "fun" into the classroom. Kids like to play games so if you can teach them through a media as such, then it is obviously a useful tool. I think with bullying in schools becoming such a huge issue, this could also be a tool to teach communication with other students through simulation and role-playing, they are able to model a variety of complex scenarios and how to effectively resolve issues. Some will say, hat's the difference in teaching them to communicate in the classroom and to that I have to say that the difference is 2 fold. For one, students are more engaged if they enjoy what they are doing and today's students are enjoying the perks of new technologies more than a conversation (just look at the text messaging BOOM), and for two, it allows for the quiet, timid, and shy students to become part of the communications where in the classroom conversations, they may NEVER speak up and contribute. When it's virtual and "not real", it may make them feel more safe to speak what is on their minds. The 3D virtual worlds allow students to experiment with things they may not actually try in real life and that makes it an educational/useful tool because they are no longer just passive consumers. They are contributing. Also gives an exciting way to collaborate and co-create with others that could not be done in the traditional classroom setting. I already mentioned role-playing and simulations as ways to use it in the classroom but I think it could be useful in all subjects if you get creative. ~Mandy~

Question 2

Have you used Google Earth or Google Mapping in your personal or professional life? What were your experiences with it and was it helpful? What were the positives and negatives? What worked well for you? Log in with your user name and password then click the edit button to add your responses below.

Discussion response to question 2

Include your first name (not avatar name) after each response to be acknowledged for class participation.

I've never used Google Earth in my personal life - although I recently read an article about how someone working for Google Earth thought they had found the lost city of Atlantis (it turned out to be lines in the ocean floor created by scientific vessels that drag the floor in order to map it). I've used Google Maps a lot in my personal life, though, because my husband and I move a lot, and tools that give you directions are invaluable when you're new in town. Google Maps seems to be more accurate than other mapping tools - like MapQuest - and its pages load faster. I've also used Google Maps when apartment hunting from across the country. Using the satellite view is a great way to "see" the part of town you'll be moving to. -- Tasha

'Hi Tasha: Great idea using Google Map to look at the location that you might consider moving to. It sure saves you the time taking a trip to a place that you might also be disappointed with when you get there. It is facinating to learn that there is a possibility that using this technology we will be able to discover lost continents or undiscovered planets. You never know--Joanne

Hi Tasha: I've had pretty good experiences with Google Maps. My only bad experience was when my boyfriend and I changed our route so that we would be traveling back-roads. We go to the Adirondacks frequently and we decided we wanted a change of scenery on that particular trip. There were two points on the directions that told us to turn right on main street. Well, when you are traveling through many small towns, there are a lot of main streets. The experience taught me that there is a lot of information on the internet and we need to be very careful how we use that information. It also taught me to stay on the main roads. Meghan

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I've also used Google Maps frequently in my personal life. For its accuracy and speed, it's become my go-to site for driving directions and trip planning. My experience with Google Earth is pretty limited. I remember when it first came out everyone was so excited to put in their address and see their house--I think that's the extent of what I did. I also remember a while back there was an email that went around a lot about the privacy factor of Google Earth, how if you had children you should opt your address out to avoid predators. I never did, but I remember having long conversations on the playground about it. People were pretty riled up about being so exposed to the whole world. All of a sudden, it became very public that satellite cameras are pointed at every inch of the globe. I suppose there's always a balancing act between gathering and access to information and the shadow of Big Brother that we have to be aware of. --Mira

'Hi Mira: I never thought about the problems you could encounter putting your address in Google Earth. The thought never entered my mind. Thanks for the information. It is ashamed we are living in a world like this. --Joanne

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Now that you mention it (Mira), I do remember my husband looking up our address on Google Earth a few years back! I found it interesting that some pictures were taken in early spring (no leaves on the trees) and then one right next to it could have been taken in the summer. We had fun trying to figure out exactly when the picture was taken (it was before the neighbors got their pool, but after we put in a sandbox...) and whose car was in our driveway at the time the picture was taken. It seemed a 'novelty' that didn't hold my interest at the time simply because I had no real use for it then... I have since used it to show my children where we live in relation to their school and their cousins, and even to show them where I was when I visited Alaska. -- Sue

'Hi Sue:' I also did the same thing looking for my address and found our car parked in our drive way. It was a lot of fun. It was fun but, then I realized that this picture was taken over three years ago. I thought Google Earth pictures were suppose to be current. This picture was probably over three years old. How do I know, that is how long ago it was when we changed our car. --Joanne

Sue/Joanne, That brings up a good point. Does anyone know the currency of this tool? That could be one of the drawbacks. If a business moves, who is responsible for making changes on Google Earth? This might be a good point to bring up to students. Maybe a lesson could be taught from it, a hunt to see how accurate the information is. -Sharon

Sharon:

Currency is one of the problems Google Earth has. Some places are not where they should be and some places are still there even though they longer exist. They do not seem to update the matereial often. -Sara

**I know that the pictures of my neighborhood are not *very* current... the playground at my children's school was still under construction and I know it's been done for a couple years now. And where there is currently a new church in my area, Google Earth still shows an empty field, not even construction. You can check out this link for Google's answers to some of these concerns/questions: [http://groups.google.com/group/earth-help/web/general-questions ] --Sue

'Hi Sue: Thank you for the weblink to post concerns and questions to this problem about a lack of updated information in Google Earth.--Joanne

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I have never used Google Earth before. But, today when I downloaded it, I checked out my parents' hiking trip in Patagonia. I could see the path of the trail, two views of the glacier the path crosses, the elevation changes of the trail and the lodge. I also checked out my old house in Sydney, Australia. I feel rather like a spy. Finally, I have not been impressed with my kids' geography knowledge, and the feeling is further reinforced when I know that my son has applied to colleges and he has no idea where they are in relation to where we live. I think there might be a Google Earth lesson in his future.--Tibbi

'Hi Tibbi:' Using Google Earth would definitely help to make it an interesting lesson. --Joanne

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This is also my first experience using Google Earth. Like everyone else, I am much more familiar with Google Maps which seems to have more practical uses. I have used Google Maps with my class. They love showing me where they live, and it's even more fun if your grandma's car is parked out front, or your sister is on the front porch! We had fun writing directions from their house to the store. They then exchanged directions and tried to find their way. -Colleen-

Hi Colleen:' Your students had a lot of fun using Google Map. I wonder how you could have made your lesson into a math lesson using Google Map? You also made a good point that Google Map is a lot more practical for serving our everyday needs like finding direction to the nearest shopping mall for me(very important when I am in a new location)or finding your way when you get lost.--Joanne

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This is my first foray into the world of Google Earth. I knew about the tool but didn't know it was this amazing. Pretty easy to manipulate. I see everyday value in it, as well as educational applications. I'm better at it than the avatar manipulation of Second Life:) Sharon

'Hi Sharon: I am glad that you also had an opportunity to use Second Life and to create your avatar. I must confess that I also did not have a pleasant experience using second life. The first day I entered second life and tried it, another avatar approached me and made a very disrespectful comment to my avatar. How rude.---Joanne

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I used Google Earth to look up address but never used it for anything else. I loved that you check out your house and your families address. It is nice to be able to go see a house when you may not get to see your family members often. The one problem I encountered was that some locations you could not get a closer look at because the image was distorted. The picture was fuzzy and the image looked like a big blur. The one thing I did like was that if you only typed in the address and forgot the state, it provides you all the different locations with that address for you to choose the one you want.Since taking this class I have learned of all the wonderful applications Google Earth offers and plan on taking advantage of them. When we are able to take a vaction, I plan on using it for roouting out where we are going to pick the places we would stay at on the way. Sara

'Hi Sara:' Taking this class has introduced me to web 2.0 technologies I would have never looked at on my own. I really can't wait to have the time to really explore them without the pressure of having assignments to complete. The more I am introduced to them, the more I can see the benefits of its use. I hope to pass on my enthusiam to my students. --Joanne

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I love to use Google earth to identify places and locations, prior to business trips. I am also a GA pilot, and use Google Earth to examine airports, approaches, landmarks and generally get a feel for the destination airport. Google Earth is faboulous for showing children and young adults what the world looks like when they do not have the opportunity to travel. As as for the new Google Street viewer...thats is awesome beyond words. Anthony

'HI Anthony: I think the Google Street Viewer is also a totally awesome tool. I am going to be using this with my students. By the way, forgive my ignorance but what is a GA pilot? Just curious.---Joanne

I have used Google Earth before to look for historic sites. There is an overlay by the National Park Service (NPS) which allows you to see all sites listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. You can then link to the NPS to find out more about particular sites. I always like to know which landmarks are in particular areas and love the information available from the NPS. I also have to know this if doing consulting work on cultural resources. The one bad thing about this application, however, is that it is very slow and makes the rest of Google Earth difficult to navigate. I've solved this by having two different versions of Google Earth on two different computers. (I could probably also learn how to suppress the NPS layer.) I will certainly use Google Earth now that I am becoming more familiar with its many other features.--Christina

I had heard of Google Earth before taking this class but this week is the first time I ever spent time using it. I had a lot of fun looking at places I am interested in around the world. I disliked the fact that when I clicked on a place, it sent me to Google Maps. It would be better if you could click on the place and it would just zoom in on the place. I was able to figure out how to zoom in but I felt that it could be a little more user friendly than it is. It felt strange to be able to see somebody's house. Meghan