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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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