Smart Tools

Navigating Google Earth

Satellite maps are no longer just for spy thrillers and James Bond movies. It’s real, it’s happening, and it’s the latest thing.

Google Earth, a combination of the capabilities of Google Search and satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings, allows you and your students to look at your house or your school or just about anywhere.

Just type an address, click on Search and the image will zoom in on that address.

But to best use Google Earth, the only free mapping application available, you must first know the basics. Like KML files or content overlays created by users to be shared with others. Those are available in the Google Earth Gallery. For other information, read on.

The Review
An editor’s review from download.com described the latest version of Google Earth as accessible for casual users, but has enough features for people with a deeper interest in topography.

The interface starts out looking like a globe, but slowly zooms in on a satellite destination of a keyed-in address. Everything from roads to restaurants, crime statistics to driving directions, as well as historical maps, are displayed.

The Goodies

  1. 3D content - images, geographic and astronomical information, content from Wikipedia, National Geographic, the Hubble Telescope and more
  2. KML gallery - the most popular Google Earth content published by users all over the world
  3. Google Earth Outreach - supports individuals, public benefit organizations and everyone else who uses Google Earth and KML for a better world. Check out Google Earth Outreach website.

The Guide

  1. Getting to know Google Earth - learn the features available in Google Earth’s main window
  2. Knowing the new features in version 4.2 - know about exciting new features like astronomical information, new language features, among others
  3. Navigating in Google Earth – learn how to navigate through the 3D view of the globe by either using a mouse or using the navigation controls. You can also manipulate your view of the earth by tilting the terrain for perspectives other than a top-down view. Finally, you can reset the default view for a north-up, top-down view wherever you are.
  4. Viewing an image of your home, school or any place on Earth - Click Fly To and  enter the location in the input box. Click the Search button. When the search results come out, double click the location.
  5. Touring the world - in the Places panel, check the Sightseeing folder and click the Play Tour button
  6. Using Community showcase - check Community Showcase in the Layers panel or see Using Points of Interest (POIs) for more information
  7. Asking the Google Earth Community - ask questions and share answers with other Google Earth users
  8. Using Google Earth – read a blog on how to use Google Earth’s interesting features
  9. Finding places and directions
  10. Marking places on the earth
  11. Managing search results
  12. Measuring distances and areas
  13. Using layers
  14. Using places
  15. Drawing paths and polygons
  16. Using image overlays
  17. Adding content
  18. Using GPS devices with Google Earth
  19. Making movies with Google Earth
  20. Viewing samples of other things you can see and do in Google Earth.

Once your students figured out how to navigate around Google Earth, they will undoubtedly find geography and history, as well as a lot of other related subjects, more exciting and interesting.

Sources:

Editor's review of Google Earth. Retrieved February 12, 2008 from
http://www.download.com/Google-Earth/3000-2054_4-10411076.html
User Guide. Retrieved February 12, 2008 from http://earth.google.com/userguide/v4/

(Published 18 February 2008, Smart Schools Program)