Google Earth, for educators

Put a planet's worth of geographic information right

http://earth.google.com/

Google's satellite imagery-based mapping product,
represents, in essence, the whole world on a student's
computer. It enables users to "fly" from space to street
level to find geographic information and explore placesaround the world. Google Earth is more like a video game
than a search engine — it is basically a 3D model of the entire planet that lets the user grab, spin, and zoom downinto any place on Earth. Different versions offer tools for measuring, drawing, saving, printing, and GPS device support.

In a classroom, Google Earth demos can be used to
spice up geography lessons, Students can use different
Google Earth layers to study economics, demographics,
and transportation in specific contexts. For instance: One
can use real-time coordinates to demonstrate distance
calculations and verify the results using measurement
tools; view tectonic plate-shift evidence by examining
whole continents, mountain ranges, and areas of volcanic activity; study impact craters, dry lake beds, and other major land forms.
The only limit to Google Earth's classroom uses is the imagination of the user!

Mapping your neighbourhood

An initiative of Centre for Science Development and Media Studies (CSDMS) and funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Working with
school students as the 'tenets of change' and representatives of their community.

http://www.csdms.in/nm/

Geo-photography

Have you ever looked at someones's photo album and wondered where the photos were
taken? Using your GPS and digital camera, you can figure out just that, and it is easier
than you think. Share your geo-referenced images with the web-wide world in various
forms. As the geo-photo community has grown so has the list of ways to publish your photos for others to see.
GeoSnapper (http://geosnapper.com) eases the GPS-linking problem by providing tools to
process your raw tracklog and photos.

GPS Biomapping

GPS can be used for many types of scientific surveys, including remote navigation, locating specific points on ground, mapping species encountered, mapping geological features, and mapping boundaries. Scientists trace changes over time and can compare "before and after". You can

HEALTH

In West Bengal, a location base map prepared by hand held GPS with the instant booth level data helped the entire Pulse Polio Immunisation programme to plan and monitor the action strategy throughout the state. This mapping technique was fast and had an immediate impact with the ground level staff of the health service provider. They either accepted the spatial accuracy of the location or wanted immediate correction of the inaccurate location with their help. This mapping effort helped get better coverage of polio immunisation on the ground.

Try It! Rather than saying ‘how can I use the GPS and GIS?’ Ask ‘what do I want to do?’ Then, ask how the GPS, websites, digital camera, and other technology can help achieve this goal.

GPS Nature Trail

Creating a GPS Nature Trail is a great club or class project. The young people search the
designated area for notable geological, botanical, or zoological features. They mark the
coordinates and flag each station, and then plot the stations on a topo map. The group
researches information on the natural features and decides which ones should be included on
their nature trail. Then it creates written descriptions of the selected sites. The final product
is a "GPS Nature Trail Guide" booklet with coordinates and natural history information for each station.

GIS in education

Learn the basic principles of GIS at www.gis.com. This informative site provides a great introduction to GIS and has links to additional resources.

Introduction to Neogeography

Neogeography combines the complex techniques of cartography and GIS and places them within reach of users and developers. This Downloadable PDF booklet for purchase from O'Reilly by Andrew Turner (published December 2006), introduces you to the growing number of tools, frameworks, and resources available that make it easy to create maps and share the locations of your interests and history.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/neogeography/

Mapping Hacks

A wonderful book with a collection of one hundred simple techniques available to developers and power users who want to draw digital maps. Authors: Schuyler Erle, Rich Gibson and Jo Walsh. Publishers: O’Reilly.
http://www.mappinghacks.com/

Geocaching

Treasure hunts have gone high-tech, with owners of GPS tracking systems pioneering a
new craze. Known as geocaching, participants bury a box containing 'treasure', log the co-ordinates, then upload the data to the geocaching website. Once the box is found, players must remove the item inside, add one of their own, and write about their escapades in a
journal in the box. There are various geocaching-aware software applications that you can use as a companion to your GPS unit. www.geocaching.com