Google maps...

Google maps has always intrigued me and I think it would be an amazing tool when used in a classroom. It is so much more than the normal maps that are in most classrooms. You can zoom in on specific areas and look at satellite images. This would be fantastic if the class was doing a SOSE topic on the landscape or climate of different parts of the world. They can compare the sizes of countries and comment on the surface and terrain. With a google account they can even add their own photos that they have taken and pin them onto the map to show a close up view of that area and can even write a description about it.

As I am early phase focused it is sometimes difficult to find ICT tools that younger learners can easily navigate through as their fine motor skills are still developing and they may not know how to read or write substantial amounts of information just yet. However, google maps would be perfect for them to use and they would really enjoy it. There are many many ways that google maps could be used in the classroom you could brainstorm all day. It could be used on an interactive whiteboard for a discussion with the whole class. I have included an image below which displays a student using google maps on an interactive whiteboard as I think it demonstrates how much of a rich resource it could really be in a classroom.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4540299823_119b659aba.jpg