Google Earth is more than a 3-dimensional representation of the earth’s surface. It utilizes satellite imagery and advanced mapping technologies to allow users to explore multiple dimensions of the Earth, Moon, Mars, Sky, Ocean, 3D buildings, and Historical Images.
Anyone can use Google Earth to explore all of the above dimensions. Some of the products which have been created using Google Earth include studies on Climate Change, Ancient Rome, and Google Lit Trips. Google Earth is a powerful tool for teachers regardless of their subject content. Math teachers can use it to help students explore distance and angles. Science teachers can use it to explore climate change over time. Literature teachers can take students on Google Lit Trips which help students explore setting and nature v. man conflict/resolution dynamics. And of course Social Studies teachers can use Google Earth to explore geography whether human, environmental, or just as an introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
There are several advantages of this tool. The first being how powerful a tool it really is. This is not your average 4th grade teacher’s classroom map. Google Earth allows students to explore areas of the earth they have never been to and in fact may never get to visit. It allows street level viewing of cities around the world. No matter what you need to view, Google Earth has a view of it. Google Earth features the Moon, Mars, and the Ocean as well, giving students first hand viewing of some of the coolest places imaginable.
The only disadvantages I have found is there are parts of the world you cannot see quite as well as you may like (think Afghanistan). I was attempting to track a literary character through the Afghan mountains but the image was pixilated as you got closer. This disadvantage only occurs for areas in which countries have specifically requested it or in this case for the protection of U.S. troops.
This tool is for a wide variety of audiences from the youngest school children to scientist and geographers the world over. Teachers would be wise to use it as often as possible in their classrooms.
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