An Introduction to the NEW Google Earth

April 25, 2017

The NEW Google Earth

On April 18 Google launched the new Google Earth, which has been undergoing a two year improvement project and it is AWESOME!!

One of the most significant changes to this upgrade is the ability for Google Earth to work within your browser and subsequently on Chromebooks.

This means so many possibilities for classroom use.

See for Yourself!

Before trying anything with your students, you may just want to take a few minutes (or hours) to check out the New Google Earth on your own first.

Click this link to get started: https://www.google.ca/earth/

Not sure where to start?

Try taking a 3D Tour of one of the world’s biggest cities - search London, Tokyo, New York etc.
Check out your childhood neighbourhood using Street View - search your address and select the Street View person icon
Hit the I’m Feeling Lucky dice and see where you end up.

Prepare to be impressed!

Getting Started

In my opinion, the best way to learn about the new Google Earth is to experience it (see section above) but if you are looking for a little more guidance watch the video to the right.

In this video, Richard Bryne from Free Technology for Teachers provides a great introduction and tour of the New Google Earth and its basic features.

Google Earth in the Classroom

Students can literally explore to the ends of the Earth with Google Earth which makes the possibilities for learning exponential. This can be a daunting prospect however so I have provide a couple of examples below to get your started. FYI: There's also Google Mars and Google Moon if the Earth is not enough for you.

Voyager

Voyager is a collection of interactive guided tours that let you and your students virtually explore places from all around the globe. Simply select the Voyager icon (ship's wheel) and then one of the 50+ stories.

Some examples include:

BBC Earth: Beautiful Birds-of-Paradise: Enjoy select video highlights from Sir David Attenborough's 60-year career documenting the natural world
Following Charles Dickens: Trace the steps of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and some of his best-loved characters around Great Britain.
Museums Around the World: Visit museums near and far to learn about art all over the globe using Google Street View.
Lost Civilizations: See sites of ancient peoples around the world through a unique view from space.
This is Home: Visit five traditional homes around the globe and discover how the definition of “home” can both change and remain the same.

Google Lit Trips:

Google Lit Trips plot locations from a novel on Google Earth to create a 3D geographic tour of the story.

Check out what available on the Lit Trip website at www.googlelittrips.org

For more information and details on Lit Trips read this article by Eric Curts from Control Alt Achieve and the accompanying video to the right.

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