June 20, 2006
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Google Earth
One of my son’s favorite college professors taught geography. “He would come into class with a newspaper, read a short news story, and tell you all the geographical background of that story,” Carson enthused.
I remember the “aha” moment when the significance of Hannibal crossing the alps with elephants sunk in. It sure helps to know his starting point and destination.
Here’s a great teaching (and learning!) tool: Google Earth. If you google “Google Earth” in Google you will see the link for a free download. Then you will be able to see satellite images of any place on the planet. Metropolitan areas have sharper pictures that you can zoom in on. Rural areas tend to be fuzzier.
When you read a book with geographical references, you could type the town in Google Earth and see a bird’s-eye view of it. You can see obstacles that confronted someone going from point A to point B.
I’ve had the most fun with friends looking at the places where they grew up. We would type in their address and see what it looks like today. Collin typed in Yankee Stadium just for kicks. Too much fun!
Comments (3)
In response to your question: I think yes. I’ll give you a ring. Thanks!!
Excellent point!
Geography has been replaced by *Social Studies* Last class I took entitled *Geography* I was in fourth grade. Hmmmm….wondering the age of the prof who taught your son?
Sounds like you had fun with your friends…..who does best in the Trivial Pursuit game? There’s a geography category there!
I love Google Earth! Google tools, in general, are pretty cool.
For those who don’t like to download things, a neat (but a bit less cool) tool is http://www.maps.google.com . Google Maps has an option to have a satellite view or hybrid view–and you can zoom in closer. I was able to see my sister’s house and the construction on it–she recognized a bulldozer they had there for a few days!