Social+Studies

=Technology Day: Social Studies=

Google Earth Smartboard or projection screen Computers with access to the Internet
 * Technology**

Geography: 7th Grade Location - On a map, identify places related to the historical events being studied and explain their significance.
 * Curriculum Standard**s

History: Feudalism in Transition - Describe the impact of new ideas and institutions on European life including: b. Major achievements in art, architecture and literature during the Renaissance;

During classroom discussions and student research about the Renaissance, students will become more familiar with events, places, people and architecture of the time period with the use of Google Earth. Initially, the teacher will lead a class tour of places significant to the Renaissance via Google Earth projected on either a Smartboard or screen. Students may then be dismissed to work on their own or with partners, using Google Earth to flag and create their own tour of sites relevant to the Renaissance, noting the significance of each as well.
 * Description**

[|Adam, A, & Mowers, H. (2007). Got the world on a screen.] //School Library Journal, 53(4)//, 40-42.
 * Supporting Research**

This article parallels the difference of the old way of viewing geography, globes and maps, versus using Google Earth. Based on real-life classroom examples, Google Earth wins hands down in its ability to engage students, excite students and bring to life places for them that globes and maps cannot even begin to attempt. The article continues with providing examples of how Google Earth can be used in all content areas and across all grade levels.

Though there are many examples and ideas available on how to use Google Earth in the classroom, I feel that it is not yet prolific enough in a majority of schools to render it tried and true. The benefits of using Google Earth certainly seem to be only positive, but I am going to label implementation of Google Earth in the classroom as new and innovative due to not seeing it being embraced by a majority yet. Google Earth had origins in 2004, but really was not released as "Google Earth" until 2005, making it a relatively new technology. Google Earth provides students with a real world, even real-time view of places, which will be more meaningful than a photograph, globe or paper map. It is innovative to consider that we can actually take students to places via Google Earth rather than just speak about them or point them out on a globe.
 * Tried & True (TT) or New & Innovative (NI)**

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