Google Earth vs. Google Tour Builder: Which One Should I Use?

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Anyone who's been around a computer in the last several years has probably heard of Google Earth. While I was aware that I could use Google Earth to look at different places around the world from a realistic view, I hadn't spent a lot of time exploring this program prior to this week. Google Earth is a great tool for teachers to use in the classroom because it allows for an instant geography lesson -- at any moment, you can search for a place or landmark and be automatically taken to an aerial or street view of that location to show to students, like a virtual field trip. You could use these features to connect to students home addresses or explore the Sydney Opera House in Australia -- the possibilities are open wide. For example, I can type in the location of our Head Start school and show my students how Google Earth zooms right in to see our building, parking lot and the playground they use every day!


There are several resources out there for ways Google Earth can be used in the classroom. You can find a couple of them by clicking below:
This week is the first time I've ever heard of Google Tour Builder, and in my own opinion, it takes Google Earth to a different level and is more relevant as a meaningful classroom tool. By using Tour Builder, users can create a tour of different places around the world by dropping pins on specific locations (and in a specific order, if desired) adding pictures, videos, descriptions, and a method for walking through multiple places with a purpose. Tour Builder allows teachers to explore locations and save information ahead of time to supplement classroom instruction. For example, my preschoolers are currently learning about Buildings. I created this Google Tour about famous buildings around the world including street views and attached YouTube Videos that can better explain additional features of specific stops along the way. It's a step above Google Earth and saves directly to your Google Drive, which is even better.  Here are some additional links about Google Tour Builder and a video tutorial for those who would like to give it a try!


Both Google Earth and Google Tour Builder offer great resources for the classroom -- everyone has their own preference. Which one do you like the best? It's up to you.

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About Me

My name is Megan, I live in Overland Park, KS, and I'm a Head Start early childhood teacher. I love music, art, and I'm a little bit stuck in the 90's. This is a blog about useful Google features & technology tools that can be applied to any classroom setting. Teach on!

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