Content Exploration in Social Studies - Google Earth

Content Exploration in social studies is crucial to the understanding of major topics. Without the ability to find out more information about subjects such as, in this case, the Civil War, a deeper understand instead of just a memorization of facts would not be plausible. In this case, I used two sources Google Earth, a software program free to all through Google, and GoogleLitTrips, a website whwere you can download various files for Google Earth, in order to find information on the Civil War. Students in various classes created their own representations of the Civil War, adding historical battles, places, and important ideas using Google Earth as a project. This can easily be accomplished by any teacher and it becomes more interesting for students to learn using an interactive tool where they have the ability to actually see where things happened. It is almost a virtual field trip of sorts.

This tool falls under the category of a reference tool as well as an open-ended tool. Google Earth uses links that anyone can put on there that incorpate pictures and descriptions of places as well as a 3D building option where you can go to the street level and view buildings as they stand. This is incredibly useful when dealing with ancient history and sites like ancient Rome or Greece where much of the architecture still stands. Because of the extensive amount of information it provides, I would consider it a reference tool. Also, because there is room for other exploration by students, it should also be considered an open ended tool. With Google Earth, the possiblities for exploration are quite endless and its provides students with the possibility for engagement.

In the classroom, this tool has infinite possibilites. For example, if teaching about Ancient Rome or Greece, as stated above, one can see the architecture in 3D and see the labrynith of streets in the cities. Another example would be when teaching United States history one could show exactly where battles in the Revolutionary War or Civil War had taken place and even draw on the maps using Scribble Maps to recreate what actually happened at a particular battle such as where troops came from, who attacked first, etc. With google maps one teaching world geogrpahy can show the demographics of different countries (mountain ranges and other geographical features) more clearly so that their features can be exemplified for students to see.
All in all, this tool can enhance the learning environment greatly creating excitment in your students by enhancing their learning abilities.