21st Century Cartography

Every subject can be studied within a geographical context. Two freely available tools, Google Earth and Google Maps can be used by teachers and students to create rich learning environments that merge content, media, and geography to make learning truly engaging.

These two tools are rapidly evolving, with a rich online community supporting the application of these two tools to teaching and learning.

Availability:

Google Earth (GE) is available as a free download from Google and requires installation. The most current version available for PC, Mac, and Linux machines is v4.2. Google Maps (GM) is available online at maps.google.com; does not require installation.

Logins:

Google Earth does not require a login to access and create GE files. Google Maps can be used online without a login to view files, but map creation requires a Google account. This can be problematic for schools, but not impossible.

Media File Support:

The emergence of various Web 2.0 tools and resources, has given rise to “embed codes,” or small pieces of script that enable the user to add different resources to various Web 2.0 interfaces, most typically blogs. For example, a blogger can embed a YouTube video directly in their blog post, and the reader/user can play the video directly in the blog without having to visit YouTube directly. In GE and GM, the embed codes are placed in placemark windows.

Google Maps: embed codes from YouTube video only.
Google Earth: embed codes from YouTube, Slideshare (Powerpoint file sharing), Evoca (podcasting), and United Streaming video. uStream.tv streaming video can also be embedded.

Other media, such as text, images, and hyperlinks can be embedded as well in both.

Ease of Use | File Creation: it is easiest to create simple map files in Google Maps and export them to Google Earth. For simple applications, and for teacher-created products, I prefer creating files in Google Maps. For more complex applications involving multiple types of media, I create files in Earth.

Media Creation

Google Earth requires that the user have some basic knowledge of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language, used to build Web sites) to place multimedia elements in placemark windows. Google Maps has a Rich-Text editor that streamlines media creation/addition in placemark windows.

Specialized Applications:

Google Earth: has Google Sky embedded in it in the most current version. View planets, constellations, nebulae, stars and galaxies. Amazing. Google Earth also has a hidden flight simulator embedded in it. v4.2 only.

Google Maps: includes Streetview, which gives viewers the capability to view 3-D rotational pictures of streets in placemark windows. Google Maps also features Mapplets, which add functionality of Google Maps. Google Maps also offers a Profile Page, which looks like Googles attempt to bring social networking to Maps. My profile page is here.

Resources for Educators:

7 Things You Should Know About Google Earth

http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7019.pdf

Juicy Geography: Google Earth Blog

http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/

Google Earth Lessons

http://gelessons.com/lessons/teachingwithGE.html

Google Earth Blog

http://www.gearthblog.com/

Google Earth User Guide

http://earth.google.com/userguide

GoogleLitTrips.com: explore literature through Google Earth