Google Earth Placemarks

Summary of the Tool

Google Earth is a free, cross-platform computer program that acts as an interactive, virtual globe and map. It is made by aligning images from satellite imagery and aerial photography with latitude and longitude coordinates. Google Earth has the capacity to show 3D buildings and structures through user uploads of SketchUp designs. It also has features which include topography, weather, street view, flight simulator, historical imagery, and global awareness information. Abundant third-party data is available to this program on the internet. Google Earth is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS devices, and can be downloaded here.

How to do it

Instructions:

1. Fly to the position you would like to placemark. You can zoom and tilt the camera to get the best angle.
2. Click the Placemark icon on the toolbar menu at the top of the screen

1. Position the placemark by dragging it to the desired location.
2. Fill in the possible, required, or desired properties:
   1. Name of the placemark
   2. Description of the placemark
   3. Style & Color for the placemark icon
   4. View
   5. Altitude
   6. Change the icon in the top right corner of the dialog box
   7. Add images or a link by clicking the buttons and pasting the image and link URLs

1. Click ‘OK’. Your Placemark is now saved in ‘My Places’ in the sidebar.
2. Click on the Placemark on the map to see how it will appear to your audience or in a tour.

Limitations

Users should be certain to ensure their operating systems are up to date so that the latest version of Google Earth will work seamlessly and without freezing or crashing. There are very few issues related to use of the program; at present, space is not an issue for KMZ files. Criticism of Google Earth includes concerns about privacy and accessibility of private property images being made available. It is important to remember that under the Google Earth User Agreement, any and all images provided by Google Earth is considered a copyrighted map; non-commercial use is allowed.

Conclusion

Google Earth comes as a highly recommended tool for use in a multitude of classroom contexts. Geography and social studies classes are obvious choices for integration, however educators can also use it as a tool for real-world mathematical applications, literature trips and personal interest activities.

Revision History/Audit Trail

Lesson Plan amended 9/25/2014 by Tina Hurlbert

Added 9/23/2014 by Tina Hurlbert

Contact: Tina Hurlbert (@TechTina or thurlbert01@gmail.com)