Since the launch of the Internet and the World Wide Web people have had greater access to trip planning resources and in recent years the traditional atlas, road map and compass have increasingly become replaced by services such as Map Quest, Google Maps and other like services.

Although learning and understanding map making and reading skills are still essential for students to learn (I would argue), as Geography educators we have the duty to start integrating digital map resources into our classrooms on a regular basis.  With the simplicity of use Google Maps continues to be one of the best FREE resources that is available to the Geography educator.

Questions such as the following will be answered: What All Does Google Maps Consist Of? What Are Some Examples of Educational Uses? How Can Google Maps Be Used in the Geography Classroom?

What All Does Google Maps Consist Of?

Although as first glace it may seem that Google Maps is just a gimmick, to be used as just a simple map, when looked at further it can be seen that Google Maps is very robust.

• Google Maps can be used to find any number of people, places, or images and their associated geographic coordinates (approximate).
• Google Maps can be used to plan a trip, alter a trip route and to calculate travelling time, both by car, walking and in some cities by using public transportation or a combination of all methods of travel.
• Google Maps now includes Google Street View which allows for  a virtual field trip to me taken to places that otherwise might not be able to be reached (such as Google Ski View for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games). Although all areas of the world do not have images for them there are increasing areas being covered each and every month.
• Google Earth (although not specifically maps) is another FREE resource from Google that is based on the same spatial principles.  With the ability to look at the world with a 3D perspective and analyze data in simple ways, Google Earth offers a great interactive tool.  When coupled with a Smartboard the possibilities for this tools are endless. (make sure to check out the Google Earth Monster Milktruck, it’s fun)
  ***As an educator you are eligible for a FREE copy . I have done this myself.

Using Google Maps is easy, believe me. Google event provides a set of instructional videos FOUND HERE.  I have included the one on “How To Create A Map” as an example.

What Ae Some Examples of Educational Uses?

The possibilities for Google Maps/Earth use in the educational classroom setting is enormous.  What educators, students and parents have done in the past with these resources is amazing.  To give you some examples, ideas and resources of what can be done I have included the following likes for your use.

• Earth Quakes in the Last Week
• Easily Measure Areas using Google Maps
• Here is a an article about the use of Google Earth for Educators
• 40+ Ideas for Google Maps & Earth in the Classroom
• Secondary Geography – With Lesson Plans
• Google Earth Teaching Resources
• Postcard Exchange Project

And here is a presentation on 24 Interesting Ways (and Tips) to use Google Earth in the Classroom

How Can Google Maps Be Used in the Geography Classroom?

More than any other resource mentioned on this website (with perhaps the exception of GPS & GIS) Google Maps probably lends itself to the Geography classroom the best.

Essential a digital, easy to use map, Google Maps allows for an Geography educator to engage their students through meaningful, hands on activities using one of the most widely used services (by most people) on the Internet.

The following is just a very small number of suggestions of ways in which to use Google Maps.

• Family & Friends Mapping – students could possibly pinpoint (without any personal information) the locations of where their friends, family and places that they frequent are located.  By using coloured pins for the different categories students can do a study on the places they frequent and why they frequent these locations.
• Curriculum Tracking – Depending on the unit and curriculum being covered, Google Maps could be used as a way to track what work and lesson have been completed during the school year.  Important links, images, text and resources could be stored on a map in the appropriate spatial location.  Students could use this map as a point of reference when recalling what they have learned.
• Trip Planning – As an assignment students could be asked to plan a trip by marking the route and points of interest.  Rather than submitting a report all required information (text, images, links, resources) could be contained within a single Google Map project.
• Pen Pals – If your class starts a project where they have pen pals (analog or digital) from across the globe, Google Maps could be used to keep track of where Pen Pals live, a little information about them and perhaps even a picture.
• Field Trip Planning – by using Google Maps to outline where a field trip will take place and what locations will be visited, students, parents/guardians and other teachers can all be kept up to date and offer suggestions of possible changes or other stops that may need to be made.  As well, after the field trip, pictures, notes, links and commentary can be added to the map (by students and teachers) to have a classroom record of the trip.

These are just some simple ways in which Google Maps can be used in the classroom setting to engage students in the use of technology, but don’t be mislead though, there are a million more uses of how Google Maps can be used.

One Last Thing…

Google Maps, like almost every other service provided by Google can be embedded easily (and I mean easily) into your classroom website to be shared with all involved parties.  I have included an example of a map from a local community event.

View London PhotoWalk in a larger map