Google+Maps

What is Google Maps ? A free web mapping site that allows users to: The site was created by Google in 2005 to update what was then Google Local. Users have to have a Google account to access Google Maps, however it is free and currently does not contain ads. There is a mobile app available for download with many phones.
 * find street maps
 * plan a route by car, bike or foot
 * locate businesses
 * find high-resolution satellite images of most urban areas of the United States, Canada, and England and parts of Australia and many other countries around the world

What are the benefits of Google Maps?

Teachers and students can both use Google Maps to help with geography, directions and much more. Some of the benefits of Google Maps:

-Free and Under-friendly (after you have created a Gmail account). -A fantastic was to show geographic locations around the world. -Easy for students to use and create their own maps. -You can add images, videos, change icons and more- very creative ways to display maps. -An interactive way to show locations. -Once you have created an account, you can save maps so they won't be lost. -You can share and email maps to friends, family, students, etc. - You can use Google Maps to test your geographical knowledge. -Different tools/games to learn geography. -Aerial maps allow you to see locations, terrain, traffic etc. as they are today.

Google Maps Instructional Activity: . Students will watch brief video on Google Maps. ([])


 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftFnot5uXw&feature=player_embedded

Students will create a google account. Students will go to maps.google.com Students will search to locate directions from their home address to North Carolina State University. Students will go to "My Maps" and will create their own map and put a placemark on North Carolina and other states they've traveled to.

Student and Teacher Examples:

US History: Civil War Battlegrounds by Britney Kensmoe! ([])

US History: Territorial Expansion ([])

Language Arts/English: Tracing a character's journey across space ([])

Language Arts/English: "Atlas of Fiction" ([])

Science/Biology: Disease Outbreaks ([])