Google Earth

Using Google Earth in the Classroom

Description:

Google Earth is a program ran through Google. It is accessible on computers or Ipads. If you use Google Earth on an Ipad, you are able to see places, businesses, panoramio photos, oceans, roads, and 3D buildings. You can also see Google Earth Gallery, My Maps, and Maps Engine. Now on the Ipad you can go to street view by placing the orange person on a road. You then get a 360 view of the area around you while standing on the road. 

While using the computer program, you can travel to the sky, moon, mars, and of course Earth. You can choose which you want to visit. When traveling to Mars, you can see the path the Mars rover has taken. The computer program has a lot of the same features of the Ipad, but you can do a lot more on the computer program. The computer program does not run on Chromebooks. Chromebooks give you the same things as an Ipad. On the computer, there are a lot of layers you can dig through.

Please note, I am going to discuss the basics of Google Earth. However, I will put a video in this post describing everything Google Earth can do. I still have more to learn about Google Earth as Google is constantly updating their apps. 

Pedagogical use:

Google Earth is a great tool for geography. Students can view different landforms as well as view the Oceans, lakes, and rivers. Students can also use Google Earth to explore the stars, moon, and Mars. Students can create field trips from around the world to share with the class. Students can also show you where their house is (my students' favorite thing to do!). When you are talking about a place in class, you can show students where the place is in Google Earth. Since Google Earth is connect to Google Maps, you can have students travel around the world. Many students will never get the chance to see outside their backyard. However, Google Earth allows them to travel around the world without leaving the classroom. 

When students give a state or country report, students can take you to certain spots using Google Earth. Students can also show the landforms, bodies of water, and major cities located in the state our country. 

Google Earth is a tool where you and students need to explore to learn. The more you explore, the more you will learn about Google Earth. 

Pedagogical Uses for Google Earth

Science Education Resource Center. (2013, June 26).Why Teach With Google Earth? Retrieved July 23, 2015, from http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/google_earth/why.html

Examples of Google Earth:

Google Earth star start

Mars start

Moon start 

Google Earth start page

Google Earth start on Ipad

Google Earth ipad view of North Dakota 

Google Earth ipad view of Stratosphere in Vegas

Google road view on Ipad

Location of the tool:

https://www.google.com/earth/

https://www.google.com/earth/learn/

https://www.google.com/earth/learn/beginner.html

https://www.google.com/earth/learn/advanced.html

https://www.google.com/earth/learn/3dbuildings.html

Cost of tool:

Google Earth is free for the computer and the Ipad. There is no cost of having this tool.

Why you want to use Google Earth:

The uses for Google Earth are endless. You can use this as a fun tool in your classroom and to enhance your lessons. I love that students can go to places they would normally not have the chance to visit. It's not the same as actually experiencing the sights. However, students are given the chance to explore outside their community through technology. Under location of the tool are Google websites where you can learn more about how to use Google Earth. Google Earth is constantly being updated through satellites and Google Maps so the information is never the same. 

Google Earth is a great way to incorporate geography into your lessons and engage students at the same time. Students will have fun getting to explore different places using technology.

Sources:

 Earth. (2015). Retrieved July 23, 2015, from https://www.google.com/earth/ 

 Earth. (2015). Retrieved July 23, 2015, from https://www.google.com/earth/learn/beginner.html

Earth. (2015). Retrieved July 23,2015, from https://www.google.com/earth/learn/advanced.html

Earth. (2015). Retrieved July 23, 2015, from https://www.google.com/earth/learn/3dbuildings.html

ISTE Standards. (2015). Retrieved July 22, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/standards4
Science Education Resource Center. (2013, June 26).Why Teach With Google Earth? Retrieved July 23, 2015, from http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/google_earth/why.html

ISTE Standards:

Teacher:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity
1. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
2. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
3. N/A
4. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environment
2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
1. N/A
2. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
3. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
4. N/A
3. Model digital age work and learning
1. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
2. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation
3. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats
4. Model and facilitate effective use of emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning
4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility
1. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources
2. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
3. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interaction related to the use of technology and information
4. Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools
5. Engage in professional growth and leadership
1. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
2. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others
3. Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning
4. N/A

Students:

1. Creativity and innovation
1. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
2. N/A
3. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
4. Identify trends and forecast possibilities
2. Communication and collaboration
1. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
2. N/A
3. N/A
4. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
3. Research and information fluency
1. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
2. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
3. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
4. Process data and report results
4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
1. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
2. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
3. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
4. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions
5. Digital citizenship
1. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology
2. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity
3. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
4. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship
6. Technology operations and concepts
1. Understand and use technology systems
2. Select and use applications effectively and productively
3. Troubleshoot systems and applications
4. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies

Snapguide

How to Create a Snapguide

Description of the tool:

Snapguide is a way for a teacher to create a guide on how to do something step-by-step. The teacher can add pictures and text to go along with the guide. You can follow people to read their guides as well as share, embed, and email the guide. People can also post comments on the guide. 

Pedagogical Uses:

I just created this guide to show students how to create a new document in Google Drive. Anytime I want students to do something new, I could create a guide. The students would have a visual of how to do something. Students can create a guide to show how to do something. The guide could go along with process writing and narrative writing. I would have the students do a Snapguide and write a narrative paragraph to go along with their Snapguide. Teachers can use Snapguide to send home Math instructions for parents and students. I like how you can do both text and pictures to actually show the students exactly what they should do or see when they implement the step-by-step directions.

Check out How to Create a Document in Google Drive by Sarah Fox on Snapguide.

A picture of published Snapguide

Location of the tool:

You can find Snapguide at https://snapguide.com/. There is also a Snapguide App available for iOS7.

Cost of tool:

Snapguide is completely free. There are no costs associated with this tool!

Why you want to use this tool:

Snapguide is a great way to create a visual on how to do something. It can be anything you want. Snapguide is great for the visual learners in the classroom. The students or teachers can see step-by-step how to do something in pictures. Snapguide can also be an add on to a video. I personally would rather have a video explanation, but a teacher can create this along with a video for students or teachers to view. Teachers can also teach students how to use this and have students create a Snapguide as an assessment instead of a test. Snapguide is easy to use and it's free. There is also an app that students or teachers can use on an Ipad. The uses of Snapguide are unlimited. It would be fun to see how you would use Snapguide in the classroom.

Sources:

A place for makers. (n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2015, from https://snapguide.com

ISTE Standards. (2015). Retrieved July 22, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/standards

ISTE Standards:

Teacher:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity

a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes

2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources

3. Model digital age work and learning

d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning

4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility

b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources

5. Engage in professional growth and leadership

d. Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community

Students:

1. Creativity and innovation

a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes

b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression

2. Communication and collaboration

a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media

c. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats

3. Research and information fluency

c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks

4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project

5. Digital citizenship

b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity

c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning

6. Technology operations and concepts

a. Understand and use technology systems

b. Select and use applications effectively and productively

d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies 

Classroom Management

Class Dojo

What is it?

Class Dojo is a tool that can be used for classroom management. The teacher sets up a class with the students. The students can earn preset points for positive behaviors in the classroom. The students can also lose points for negative behaviors in the classroom. Each student has their own avatar. The teacher can determine how the avatar gets set up. Class Dojo can be used on an Apple and Android products. Teachers, parents, and students can use this to see how they are doing in class. Each student is assigned a code that they simply type into the website. Students can see how many points, positive and negative, they received as well as change their avatar. Parents can also log in to Class Dojo to see how their students are doing. Parents can message the teacher via Class Dojo and teachers can comment back. The website allows teachers to share pictures with the parents, so it is an easy way to communicate with parents. The teacher, students, and parents can look at graphs to see the balance between positive and negative points. The teacher has the option to allow the students to "spend" their points for rewards. It is completely up to the teacher how the students use their points. 

Pedagogical Uses

The teacher can use this as a behavior management tool in the classroom. The behavior expectations are outlined for the students, and the students get rewarded if they behave accordingly. There can also be consequences for negative behavior. It all depends on how the teacher would like to use the website. Class Dojo is a great way for students to learn responsibility. Teachers can have the students keep track of their points, or be in charge of the store to spend their points. Class Dojo can be used in many different ways. It is up to the teacher to find creative ways to use this tool.

An example of a Class Dojo Report

Example of negative behaviors

Example of student avatars set by Class Dojo

Example of positive behaviors 

Example of rewards and consequences 

Example of rewards for points

Location of tool:

Class Dojo can be found at https://www.classdojo.com/. 

Cost of the tool:

Class Dojo is completely free for parents, students, and teachers. The users need access to a phone, tablet, or computer. The user needs an access code that the teacher prints out to see the students' behavior report.

Why a teacher wants to use this tool:

Class Dojo is an easy way reward students for positive behavior. Students enjoy changing their avatar and seeing how points they can earn. It is a great way for students to be in charge of their behavior. Parents can be involved with their students' behavior plan if they choose and are able to communicate with the teacher via the app. Class Dojo is a fun way to help students  meet goals and be in charge of how they behave in a classroom.

Sources:

ClassDojo. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2015

ISTE Standards. (2015). Retrieved June 30, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/standards

ISTE Standards:

Teacher:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.

b. Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes. 

2.  Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments, aligned with content and technology standards, and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

3. Model digital age work and learning

b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation

c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats

5. Engage in professional growth and leadership

a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. 

Student:

4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making

c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions

5. Digital citizenship

b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity

c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning

6. Technology operations and concepts

a. Understand and use technology systems

d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies 

Skitch

Skitch 

Description of the Tool:
Skitch is a tool that helps teachers write on worksheets and annotate lessons. Teachers can help students focus on what's important in a lesson and help lead students through a lesson. The tool allows teachers to type, underline, and draw arrows on the pdf document. The app is free to use on various sources such as an Ipad or a computer. Students also can have access to skitch and write on lessons teachers provide them. The teachers and students can then go over the lessons to check for understanding. 

Example of a Skitch document
This is a third-grade reading lesson on making generalizations. 

Example of a Skitch document
This is a third-grade math lesson on rounding to the nearest ten and hundred. 

Location of the Tool:
Skitch can be found at https://evernote.com/skitch/. 

Cost of the Tool:
It is free to download unless you want the pro version. The premium version is 49.99 a year. Teachers also have the option for a plus version which is 24.99. This version allows teachers more options and more access.

Why a Teacher Wants this Tool:

This tool allows teachers to actively show students how to do a worksheet. The students can also do the worksheet with the teacher. Instead of the teacher having to do the lesson on a whiteboard, the teacher can write on the pdf document and share the document with the students. The tool can be used across many surfaces, so the students can use an Ipad while the teacher uses a computer. The tool allows teachers to take charge of the lesson and show the students images from everyone around the web. Teachers can point out things students should know, and allow students to have new discoveries. 

ISTE standards:
Teacher:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity

a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness

2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments

a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources

3. Model digital age work and learning

c. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.

Students:
1. Creativity and innovation
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
c. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
2. Communication and collaboration
a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media
3. Research and information fluency
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks
4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
5. Digital citizenship
c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning
6. Technology operations and concepts
a. Understand and use technology systems
b. Select and use applications effectively and productively 

Resources:

 Skitch.pdf. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2015, from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rOh7btx4EhcWg1MTMteDFvVU0/view  

 Evernote. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://evernote.com/skitch 

 ISTE Standards Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf