TeachthruTech

The Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) 2012 Convention was held a February 6-10.  The Lamar Consolidated ISD Istructional Technology Team, of which I am a part of, was well represented, presenting some 18 sessions throughout the week.  One of the sessions that seems to be taking off quickly is the Google Earth Walks idea that was presented by @marchenakat, @jenemitchell, and @hollydornak.

The concept is ingenious!  Incorporate Math and Science lessons into Google Earth to take students all over the world.  In a nutshell, geotagged images are used to create a virtual field trip around the world.  As students visit each location they are faced with real-world problem solving.

Sound fun?  It is!  I had the pleasure of being able to watch a couple different 2nd grade classes travel from Spain to San Francisco as they used their problem-solving skills to answer questions along the way.

As I said earlier, the concept is taking off!  It was already a part of a February 10 Google Educast  (if you can’t listen to the entire educast slide forward to about the 9:00 mark).  It is spreading like wildfire throughout our district and will soon be taking on a life of its own throughout the country!

Interested?  Visit the Google Earth Walks website.  There you can learn  more about what this activity entails, browse through already created walks, and learn how to create and submit your own walks for other educators to enjoy!