Google Earth vs. Google Tour Builder

Google Earth allows you to see the Earth in updated satellite 3D images that give you way more perspective and realism than looking at pictures from a book (that may be really old or out of date).  You can explore any part of the world as far away or as close as you'd like.  Street level view is great if you want to stand on the ground at your selected location and check out your surroundings.  You can search for a specific destination, address, business, structure, landmark, or even get driving directions.  In addition, you can explore beyond by going into the galaxy and looking at the stars or planets.  You can also go deep into the ocean and explore what's beneath the big blue sea.  Teachers could use to for all kinds of subjects.  To see a brief tutorial on how to use Google Earth, click on the video below.

  

To see how to Create a Google Earth Tour, click HERE.

Why Teach with Google Earth?  Click HERE. (additional links for "how to teach with google earth" and "examples of google earth activities" are also in the column to the left in this link)

Need some Google Earth lesson ideas?  Click HERE....or HERE....or maybe HERE!  (you could also do a google search "google earth lesson plans" for endless links)

Want more tutorials on Google Earth?  Click HERE.

Google Tour Builder is an awesome extension of Google Earth that allows you to create a "slideshow" presentation with text, pictures or video while mapping out and viewing your destinations as you go using Google Earth (it's like PowerPoint and Google Earth got married).  While adding your locations, you can still zoom in if you want to showcase a building or landmark or you can simply zoom out to show a broad location.  You can also choose different markers (i.e. school building, flag, etc) to showcase your locations.  I really think this is an awesome way to showcase a nice looking presentation for any type of information you want to share (biography, pictures from a trip, family history, countries containing "X" species, plants or wildlife, comparing terrains...the possibilities are endless).  To see a brief tutorial on how to use Google Tour Builder, click WATCH VIDEO.  

To watch my tour builder presentation, click on Michael Jordan.

Why Use Tour Builder?  Click HERE.

Need some Google Tour Builder lesson ideas?  Click HERE....or HERE....or, once again, HERE!

No matter your preference, both of these are great tools and only you can decide which one will work better for you in your classroom.  I say the more resources the better!