By: David Nour and Roxie Truax

About Google Earth Virtual globe, map, and geographic information program. Displays satellite images of varying resolution of the Earth's surface See buildings and structures in 2D and 3D Available in 38 languages Video

Strengths of Google Earth Instant global view Different layers that allow you to see latitude and longitude, terrain view, additional info and pictures Tour our solar system, the Milky Way, and much of the visible universe in Google SkyGoogle Sky Easy enough for young children to get started, yet powerful and detailed enough for professionals Create and save virtual tours View pictures from history in various locations. 2D and 3D images available Google Earth 5.0 is available in 38 languages Students can study the growth of communities by using the time feature (allows the students to go back ten or twenty years)

Weaknesses of Google Earth Large learning curve, really need to spend a substantial amount of time getting to know all of the features Need for constant internet connection Coordinates and addresses not always accurate Advanced functions can be difficult and time consuming to master Time needed to download on multiple classroom computers and guide students when first using the program Pictures are not always up to date and some functions, such as street view, are not always available

Simple Ideas for the Classroom Have students locate places where they’ve been on vacation or where they are going. Explore major landmarks and geographical features around the globe Virtual field trips Create and save virtual tours

Now you try… Try to locate your home! Type in your exact address and see what you find. Find out when Mount Rushmore National Monument was completed. View the Gateway Arch from a street view. VideoVideo Try to locate your favorite sports complex (arenas, stadiums, fields, ect.) Find three facts that you didn’t know about it. How tall is the Eiffel Tower? Take a glance from the street view. Find directions from your home to USF(1101 W 22 nd St)

Flight Simulator features the ability to fly to any supported locations of the world. pilot can choose any location to start a flight or attempt to land a flight anywhere. 2 featured planes. F-16 Fighting Falcon (advanced) and Cirrus SR-22 (beginners). What Flight Simulator is suppose to look like VideoVideo

Google Sky Use Google Sky to explore the far reaches of our universe. Maps are updated every five minutes.

Strengths Allows users to explore the night sky during school hours Detailed space imagery and zoom feature to see individual stars. Gives students a visual when talking about difficult concepts. Students can learn the difference between astronomy and astrology An historical overlay shows the constellations and their placement in the sky

Weaknesses Can be a bit confusing when one first begins to use it Dragging and general operation from the web based version can be slow May be out of the zone of proximal development for young children

Simple Ideas for the Classroom Have a stargazing experience in the middle of the day Teach children about the constellations and then be able to physically show them the various constellations Young children can be shown the planets in our solar system, along with other planets in other solar systems