Susan Reeves & Laura Wing
Google Earth–Elementary
tw.neisd.net/webpages/sreeve/tcea2008.cfm
Some networks have problems with Google Earth working with IE. Use IE 7.
Check out their web site for resources and handouts and lesson worksheets.
Used as young as K more as demo than hands-on with kids.
Showed flip book/mini book examples.
Works best in terms of younger students working in small groups.
Need to emphasize not live images–look at the date–point out to students.
Layers: Borders and Labels always on. Poke around Global Awareness and Gallery–they are most helpful sections.
Bandwidth can be an issue. Schools may be upgrading their networks to make it practical to use with groups of students.
Check out the National Zoo Virtual Tour on the web site.
A number of their activities use Google Earth peripherally to locate resources and then use another application like PowerPoint, Kidspiration, Excel, etc. for what the students actually complete/do. Some seem to be mostly the teacher using Google Earth.
Planning the middle school bus route for efficiency.
They use Kidspiration a lot in their district.
