Discovering a new Technology

For the assignment this week of exploring a new technology, I decided since I'm in this class to learn as much as I can about new things I should dive into something I have little experience with. I also thought that since I have been very negative about certain websites in the past, I should give one a chance and try to find benefits to it. My choice? Google Earth. Now, I realize you might be asking "why would anyone feel negative towards this website?". Well, I guess I'm a little (ok, a lot) behind the advancements of internet technology, and am quick to brush them off and judge them as something useless or even harmful. There are so many negative reports about how internet technology is invasive and can give personal information to strangers so easily. This is why I freaked out when I realized that Google Earth could literally show almost any image of anything on this planet; seriously, when you think about it, it sounds crazy and invasive (to me anyway). Since I am a very private person, the thought of my house or apartment complex being shown to anyone with just a click of a button without my permission seems strange.

My feelings aside on this issue, I decided to download the newest version of Google Earth and the plug in and play around with it. I also did some research (of course with google, who else?) and learned that this program is probably one of the most useful learning tools on the internet today! It is not simply plugging in an address to look at a building, this can bring you a whole 3D version of anywhere you could possibly want to travel! I "flew" everywhere from the Eiffel tower, to the Rocky Mountains, to my cabin up north...all within minutes! I also explored underwater, visited the moon, watched the sun set in California...really Google, are you kidding me? How did I not know this existed before?

I don't even know where to start explaining how I could use this in my classroom. In regards to the TPACK model, Google Earth could easily be incorporated into lessons that include all three components. Take for example going "hiking" in the Grand Canyon; The visual images and exploring could easily be used to supplement classroom materials that the students are learning about mountains, valleys, etc. The images could be incorporated before, during, or after, depending on the students and lesson (and how much of a "wow" factor) the images are. The images and exploring could also be used in forms of assessment. For example, if you're trying to assess how well the students know significant buildings/monuments across the world, you could show images of, let's say, the Washington Monument, The Eiffel Tower, Greek Statues, and more to see if they can identify them.

Google Earth can also be used in lessons that are teaching the placement or navigation of countries. In the features, you can make a "map" and travel to certain places in a certain order. You can also design your own buildings; anywhere you want. This would be great for possibly a high school architecture class.

The possibilities seem endless with this program! I know it is something I will definitely get to know when I have the time, and learn how to navigate it properly so I can make use of it someday in my own classroom.