Google Maps in the Classroom

Unless you refuse to get every penny out of your AAA membership, you’ve probably used Google Maps to help you find something.  However, did you know that these same maps can be used to share information with students in a format that can be easily explored on a computer or tablet?  Because of its relatively simple learning curve, you can also have students create and share their own maps rather than view those created by you.

Creating a map: Research

Using Google Maps to create a map for your students to access is incredibly simple.  The majority of your time will be spent in the preparation stage, gathering the individual points of interest that will go on your map.  Whether your map is a showcase of the various battles in a war or the points of interest in your town, you’ll want to place your markers as close to the actual locations as possible as Google will allow your students to zoom in very tightly.

Creating a map: Google (Screenr video: http://screenr.com/n3p7)

1. Log in to Google using your gmail or other Google credentials.
2. Click the Maps link at the top of the page (or go to maps.google.com).
3. On the left side, click the My Places button.
4. Click the orange, Create Map button.
5. Enter a title and description.  Assuming the information is public knowledge, keep the map set to Public – either way, you can send a URL to your map to your students.
6. Use search (as you normally would) on the map to locate a particular place.
7. In the upper left corner of the map, click the Add a Placemark blue marker to add a point of interest.
8. Enter a title and description for your point.  The more interesting you make the description, the more enticing it will be for your students.  You can give them information or the beginnings of clues to have them further explore the map for points you didn’t indicate with a placemark.
9. Click OK to save your placemark.
10. Repeat for all of your placemarks.
11. Click the Save button on the left box (it also auto-saves)
12. Above the Save button, you’ll see a link button.  Click that button to view (and copy) the URL to your map.  You can click the checkmark to generate a short URL that can be more easily shared (or written on the board).  Example URL: http://goo.gl/maps/IHxB7
13. You can log back in at any time to add or delete points on your map as well as the entire map.

Viewing Maps

Your students can view maps through a laptop, mobile device, or tablet.  Even without a Google Maps (or Google Earth) app on the phone, the map will open in the default browser and be very easy to work with.  This will provide a simple, intuitive interface for non-linear exploration that can engage your students with its interactivity while conveying the information you deem most relevant to them.

Happy Mapping!