No. 8 of 9, Location with Google Maps

Online mapping tools allow us to not only see the streets we drive on, but now also show us satellite and topographical maps and give us a bird's eye view of the world. This not only allows us to find our way, but it also can help us to go on tours of places otherwise difficult to visit.

While Google Earth is the definitive global positioning tool, it requires a software install and a fair amount of computer horsepower to run. Google's online answer which does not require a download is Google Maps. Students still can tour the world with Google Maps, the trade off being less eye-popping video effects.

Some Google Maps tours are listed here:

• Art History: Search for photos and user-created maps showing famous museums like the Louvre in Paris.


• Climatology: Celebrate the 2007-2008 International Polar Year and add your classroom's plans to this global map.


• Earth Science: Use this Google Maps Mashup to locate and learn about recent earthquakes around the world.


• Environmental Science: See how Google and the United Nations Environment Programme teamed up to use collaborative MyMaps for the International Cleanup Weekend Initiative.


• History: Take a virtual tour of the 21 California Missions.
  
  
• Physics:
  Learn how one teacher used Google Maps with his 9th grade class to teach speed, velocity and displacement.

Use My Maps to create a tour with this how-to and post to your blog.