Direct-to-Digital Method

In the second activity you will work in pairs to develop your own Google Earth Pro maps.

2 Roles in Mapping Session:

1. Mapper (pin-dropper) and Interviewer will be handled by one person

2. Interviewee (you will trade roles)

You will have 10 minutes in each role.

Steps to build your maps:

1. Open Google Earth Pro (desktop version).

2. Find a partner to interview - you will build your partner's map and they will build yours. Make sure to leave enough time to create both of your maps.

3. Interview your partner and during your interview create a map of significant places that are important to your partner (below are sample questions to help you develop your interview script).

4. Add text from your interview. Tell us why each of these places is important.

5. Work together to find photos, links and other rich media to add to the map.

6. Create custom placemarks using the University of Victoria Icon Library or other images (make sure the images are bold and simple because they will be quite small on your map). You can also use your own custom icons if you like.

7. Now switch roles, and have your partner build a map of significant places that are important to you.

8. Explore your maps and think about your script - what might you do differently to get the information you think would be important to create a good map?

Developing an interview script

Think about your interview, this will help us lead up to the Direct-to-Digital techniques we will use (interview techniques start on page 8 of the guide).

Your interview questions should be organized around places; marking the map will be your technique for organizing the material. Take a few minutes to work with your partner to develop a script you will both use.

Here is one possible example of the types of questions you may want to ask:

Family and local culture:

1. Where do your ancestors come from?
2. Where were your grandparents born?
3. Where were your parents born?
4. Where were you and your siblings born?
5. What place in the world do you identify with as your real home?

What are the nonhuman influences in your life?

1. What is your favorite place?
2. Where is your favorite mountain, body of water, etc.?
3. Where was your favorite place to play (or hide) when you were 5 years old? 10 years old? 15? Today?
4. Who were the most important animals and plants in your life and where did you encounter them?
5. Where did you see the most interesting, unusual, or otherwise important, animal or plant you have ever seen?

Beliefs that help shape your thinking:

1. Where are the spots that are important to your beliefs located? (only share what you want to)
2. Where are the places that are important to you personally? (only share what you want to)