| Google Earth is a phenomenon that most of us didn't | | | | plan for science to ensure the students of today |
| know we wanted to be able to use. While some use it | | | | increasing turn to scientific choices in study and career. |
| just for fun, educators have found that it can be a | | | | The addition of the oceans to the new Google Earth |
| useful tool in the classroom. In fact, in many a lesson | | | | platform was conceived more than three years ago |
| plan for science, teachers have included online options | | | | when a scientist highlighted the software itself was |
| to explore science outside of the classroom. Other | | | | missing the water that covers nearly three-quarters of |
| resources, such as educational videos, introduce | | | | the earth's surface. Director of Google Earth and |
| students to new scientific concepts they cannot | | | | Maps, John Hanke noted this change and its |
| access within the classroom alone. | | | | importance for the success of the new launch. |
| Now, a new version of Google Earth is set to launch. | | | | The oceans aspect of the new application can |
| This version will allow just about anyone to explore the | | | | significantly improve the user's experience and has |
| oceans, view images of the planet Mars and observe | | | | endless application possibilities in the classroom. |
| the changing regions of the earth over time. The | | | | Students are already literate Internet users. This new |
| applications for a lesson plan for science are virtually | | | | application will improve the lesson plan for science as |
| endless as students and teachers will have access to | | | | they will be able to go under the surface of the ocean |
| resources unlike any other. | | | | and explore three-dimensional images of the terrain |
| Google Earth relies on software to provide users with | | | | that exists underwater. |
| access to geographical information by way of digital | | | | Students can also access the Historical Imagery |
| maps, satellite imagery and Google search tools. The | | | | feature to archive satellite images of individual locations |
| new version, Google Earth 5.0 was introduced at the | | | | to see how the region has evolved over time. As the |
| California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. | | | | climate and other forces change, students will gain |
| Speakers such as Al Gore and Jimmy Buffer touted | | | | access to a world of knowledge through first hand |
| the capacity of the new program to educate the public | | | | witness. |
| on science in relation to our planet and beyond. | | | | What could easily be misunderstood as a fun demo or |
| According to Gore, Google Earth 5.0 is an extremely | | | | game imitation is actually providing teachers and |
| powerful educational tool. Gore hopes that people | | | | students access to science unlike any they have ever |
| throughout the world will use this new solution to | | | | known. When the new Google Earth platform is used |
| understand what is going on with the science of the | | | | in combination with educational videos, the lesson plan |
| earth. Teachers and students throughout the world will | | | | for science is not only innovative, it is engaging and fun |
| be able to rely on the program to enhance the lesson | | | | to motivate students to learn. |