Google Earth

Google Earth is a free, downloadable application that uses a collection of organized satellite images allowing the user to scan, pan, tilt and zoom down on virtually any location on the planet. Teachers can also create or download “layers” of information to view with these images.

Google Earth version 5 has been installed on all migrated FCPS computers.  During the Summer of 2011 Tech Services plans to update the school computers to version 6.  The new version can be downloaded for free from http://www.google.com/earth/.  The resources below will be updated in August to reflect any changes with the newer Google Earth program once it is available.

Curriculum Connections

Besides having the world at your fingertips, there are so many ways to use Google Earth in the classroom. Check out the Google Earth for Educators site for more ideas - http://www.google.com/educators/geo_class.html.

Examples

Lessons, tours, and projects can be saved in Google Earth as ".kmz" files.  These files are relatively small since they contain only links to websites, pictures and videos rather than actual multimedia files.  Examples of these lessons and activities can be found at the Google Earth Lessons website, and GoogleLitTrips.com.

If you have a Google Earth lesson that you have created and would like to share, please email it to your Technology Resource Teacher and we can arrange to attach it to this website.

Equipment Needed

• A computer
• The Internet
• Google Earth v. 5.1 

 Tutorials and Resources

• Google Earth version 5.1 Quick Guide (PDF)
• Google Lit Trips Presentation 
• Google Earth Virtual Field Trips: PDF from Australia-Indonesia School Partnerships
• New Features in Google Earth
  
  • 360 Degree Cities - tour cities around the globe in a 360 degree 3-D bubble
    
  • Geologic Atlas of the United States - view the U.S. with overlays from U.S. Geological Surveys done between 1894 and 1945
    
  • You can find more resources available specifically for educators using Google Earth at http://www.google.com/gadgets/directory?synd=earth&cat=education