Google Earth

Google Earth has been around for a while, and in this case, that’s a good thing. Google has steadily improved the application over time, and it’s better than ever after the latest update. First, Google Earth is available in a number of different formats. You can access it from a web browser, download the app from the Google Play store or the Apple App Store so you can use it on a tablet, or download the standalone app for your home computer.

Using Google Earth on a tablet is a fun, immersive experience. You can fly around and explore the planet using your fingers, quickly zoom in and out, and access many of Google Earth’s features. This includes exploring various places around the world, jumping into 3-D and Street View, and accessing two of the newest features: Voyages and the random selector. With Voyages, Google has put together informational field trips that are equal parts entertainment, history, and education. Click the icon, pick a place, and you are off. There are all sorts of adventures to be had. If you don’t know where you want to go, click the die on the sidebar. Google Earth will shuffle you around the planet from one place to the next. It’s a quick and easy way to explore.

For those looking for the most immersive experience, they will want to download the desktop version. The desktop version adds two key elements, layers and timelines. People have been developing all sorts of add-ons for Google Earth. Want to see global warming in action, there is an extension for that. Want to see where all the planes in the world are currently flying, you can do that. Do you want to know how much renewable energy each country in the world is using, it’s available with the click of a button. Here is a great jumping-off point for the extensions: Link. Another fantastic addition is the timeline feature. You can pick any point on the map, and you can see how that place has changed over time. Most places go back for 30 years, but some go farther. You can see how landscapes have changed, how cities have grown, and how resources have been depleted.

There are so many ways to use Google Earth whether you are a curious student or a teacher looking to add more to your lesson. The best way to learn how to use it is to start using it yourself. YouTube has numerous videos to show you all the different things you can do, and Google itself is an excellent resource for learning all that Earth has to offer: Link. Wikipedia offers a great rundown of the core features here: Link.

The Earth by Tinybop

The Earth by Tinybop is one of many great tools Tinybop has produced for an enhanced science experience. Specifically, The Earth focuses on the inner-workings of our planet including: volcanoes, plate tectonics, earthquakes, Earth’s core, fossils, and more. It is a great way to expand geology learning for students.

Students can watch great videos and animations that explain what is happening beneath our feet. They can take it a step further by interacting with Earth’s forces. Students can build volcanoes, create and erode mountains, and set-off earthquakes.  Then, they can see how these forces play a role in our ever changing planet. There are all kinds of ways they can customize the planet’s geological forces. Different sizes of volcanoes and different types of earthquakes are just a few of the ways students can customize their experience.

The app is very easy to pick-up and jump into. Students can click on different geologic features using the side panel. This allows them to start learning about the specific feature. Then, then can watch videos and interact with the chosen feature. Most importantly, the app doesn’t teach these forces in isolation. It shows how all of these forces work together to give students a more complete understanding of what is happening all around us.

This is one of many great apps by Tinybop. They have other earth science apps, life science apps, and physical science apps. Each one is dedicated to immersing students in science, and they are a great addition to your teaching portfolio. Tinybop’s website is a great resource to see demos and learn about their other apps: Link.

BrainPOP Featured Movie

BrainPOP is known for being one of the leaders in Education Technology. Specifically, they offer BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. as desktop applications that cover a range of topics for learners of all different ages. In addition, they offer an iPad app called BrainPOP Featured Movie. This app takes all of the great resources offered by BrainPOP, and makes them mobile.

Just like their desktop apps, BrainPOP Featured Movie covers a range of topics including: science, social studies, English, math, arts, health, and technology. Each topic is then broken down into subtopics and again into further subtopics. Once a student finds what they are looking for through search or exploration, they are then treated to one of BrainPOP’s great animated videos.

Featured Movie isn’t just about watching movies though. The focus is on learning. Throughout each movie and at the end, students are asked all sorts of comprehension questions to make sure they are learning. The questions are delivered in a variety of formats to meet the needs of diverse learners. Once a student is satisfied, they can start their search over or explore videos related to the one they’ve just watched.

The only downside to BrainPOP is their subscription model. Similar to their desktop platforms, their mobile app also comes with a subscription. The model is great because it incentivizes BrainPOP to continue developing their platform. The downside is that you need to make sure you have funds available each month to utilize the service. If you are already paying for the desktop app, your subscription automatically carries over to the mobile app. If you are willing to pay a little extra money each month, BrainPOP Featured Movie is a fantastic resource for enhanced learning. CommonSense Media has a great review here if you want to learn more: Link.