Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others. In my Grade 3 classroom I can once again see endless opportunities for higher order thinking here. Not only in the ways I mentioned when discussing Google Maps but even extending further in SOSE and Science units. Imagine my Grade 3 class on a under sea adventure to investigate tidal patterns of our coasts or next term when we dive into economic trade (a topic that certainly could use some engagement tools) we can visit these places as a class to bring a real connectedness to the classroom. The Productive Pedagogies framework supports connectedness and supports student's engagement with real, practical or hypothetical problems which connect to the world beyond the classroom, which are not restricted by subject boundaries. Google Earth is certainly a great example of connectedness and once again a huge tick for my Grade 3's :)
Education Queensland. (2002). Productive pedagogies. Classroom reflection manual. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Author.
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