Introduction to Google Earth
Summary
This assignment is designed as an introductory Google Earth tutorial on navigation; layers and featured content; and the creation and modification of Placemarks, Paths, and Polygons. The assignment is intended as a stepping stone to more advanced geologic projects that require use of Google Earth. Future geologic projects are without limit - description of geologic features of interest, simple spatial analysis of data (e.g. water quality at the campus pond), student-created content in a virtual field trip, etc.
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Context
Audience
This assignment is part of a 3-4 part course project for the non-science majors in an introductory physical geology course at Bentley, a (primarily) undergraduate business college. There are no geology majors at Bentley; few students elect a broad liberal studies major in "Earth, Environment & Global Sustainability."
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students complete this assignment near the beginning of a course on physical geology. Little previous geologic knowledge is required, despite the framing of tutorial questions within a geosciences perspective. Students are expected to complete basic textbook/internet research to answer some questions.
How the activity is situated in the course
The course project requires students to investigate and describe a geologic feature on campus, and then to create a Google Earth placemark (text and photographs) for their feature. Students work in pairs to complete this work. Additional project assignments include: a campus field trip to learn field methods and observations; initial investigation; detailed observation; creating a written summary; and creating Google Earth content.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Other skills goals for this activity
The goal of this activity is to develop a working understanding and skills relating to the use of the Google Earth application; these skills will be applied to future geologic projects requiring the successful utilization of Google Earth.
Description of the activity/assignment
This assignment is a geologically-oriented Google Earth tutorial that is used in preparation for a course project in which students create Google Earth content summarizing the geology of features of interest on campus. This tutorial addresses navigation, layers and featured content, and creation and modification of placemarks, paths, and polygons. Students are expected to be proficient in the use of Google Earth at the completion of the tutorial. Proficiency with Google Earth allows students to complete geologically advanced projects that require, or benefit from, geographic display of information. Further, non-science majors are introduced to the exploration of Earth using this fascinating application, and are able to find applications for the program in their daily lives.
Determining whether students have met the goals
Students submit a Word document with answers to geologic and Google Earth-based questions. Students must also submit a Google Earth file (.kml, .kmz), with the required content, proving their ability to use the content and tools in Google Earth. This assignment is assessed by marking written answers and the creation of Google Earth content.
More information about assessment tools and techniques.Teaching materials and tips
- Activity Description/Assignment (Acrobat (PDF) 228kB May7 08)
Other Materials
Supporting references/URLs
Stevens, Liane M., 2008, Enhanced Reality: Linking the campus field trip and the virtual field trip in an inquiry-based Google Earth project for non-science majors: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Northeastern Section, March 2008, Buffalo, New York.