Your world. Your way.

By: Celine Gonzales

When you want to find the best way to get from the first destination to the next, the best way to use is the google map. Google Maps is a mapping application provided by Google that can be embedded into your Site by using the Google Map asset and Google Map Application Programming Interface (API). A Google Map can be used, for example, as a navigational tool for displaying your business location(s) or for allowing users to identify where they are visiting your site from. The Google Maps package consists of two major components: Google Map: the map itself, which can be configured to display any location on Earth in a variety of map types and Google Map Location: locations can be created on the map and visitors to the website can be given the option to create their own locations through the use of an Asset Builder. Google Maps can provide a variety of features such as: Multiple map types and map type control, Scale Control, Street View, Google Earth, Geocoding service, Location markers and Configurable location icons. With Google Maps, you and your students can become arm-chair explorers and cartographers with ease. Google Maps are a fun and visual way to help students understand geography concepts, map reading, location, and distance measurement. Besides using Google Maps to teach the fundamentals of mapping, like latitude and longitude, you can inspire students to investigate the world and to think spatially. You can use Google Maps with your students to: Create collaborative maps, Create a campus or school district map, Create a family heritage map, Get walking directions, Plan a trip using public transportation, Get biking directions, Add or edit places on maps for your community, Compare neighborhoods and communities across the world, Understand traffic patterns and Use maps as writing inspiration.

            Honestly, using google map caught my interest. It is really fun to use the google map and I think it is a very effective teaching resource to use specially in teaching geography. I search in the internet on how to effectively use google map in the classroom. And I found 5 ways. 1. Applying to classroom activities. Try using Google Maps as part of your regular lesson. Measuring distances and calculating routes. Explore historical sites using Street View for history. Perhaps even take a trip into outer space. 2. Google Sightseeing - Help your students explore some of the most breathtaking places on Google Maps using Google Sightseeing. Google Sightseeing is a blog dedicated to finding the most spectacular places on earth and bringing them to your screen using the magic of Google Maps. 3. Earth Picker -This is a dangerously fun game for students to play as both a general knowledge and geographical challenge. Earth Picker uses Google Maps to place you in random locations around the globe.

4. Smarty Pins - Students can choose to answer questions on Art & Culture, Science & Geography, Sports & Games, Entertainment and History & Current Events. Similar to Earth Picker, students are scored by how far their answer is from the physical location on the map. A very fun way to put a spin on classroom trivia.5. Maps Engine -Google Maps Engine is an incredibly powerful feature of Google Maps where students can create their own maps using Google’s interface. This can include routes, markers, icons, directions and areas, as well as being able to edit the base map to give a whole new look, feel and purpose to the map.