This week, as part of my Summer Techsploration class, I was asked to play around with some of Google's apps for education. The first app I started with was MAPS. By customizing a map, I am able to create my own interactive map. We always begin the year with a study of the US Government, so I was right away intrigued by mapping out the three main buildings in Washington D.C. that represent the three branches of government. I love the way Google Maps make you feel like you are standing in the middle of the street, or in another case, in the middle of the White House. This is a great way for Vermont students to take a virtual tour of our government buildings.
There is nothing like looking at some of the actual places we study. It was also interesting to see where the buildings were in relation to each other. Using the draw tool, I connected the three buildings. In the future, I might ask the kids to find Dothan Brook School in order to put the location into perspective.
