Google Maps
Session Description: Learn to create collaborative multimedia maps with a Google Certified Teacher. Be inspired by student created maps that demonstrate learning in Math, Science, Social Studies, English and Art. Try it yourself and discover how easy it is to make beautiful and informative maps by using place marks, paths and areas with embedded data including text, images and YouTube video. You’ll leave this session having mapped out a way to integrate Google Maps into your own learning focused classroom.
Get Packing: Inspiring Ideas
Maps by Educators or Students
Prague’s Old Town Legends by Nancy VonWalde's 3rd Grade Students
Area of Triangle around School by Anne Flaherty
Public Art in Prague by the entire Grade 7 at International School of Prague
Underground Railroad by Katie Sabol, State Library of Ohio
MN Geology Maps by GCT Ben Friesen
Erosion @ WJH by GCT Ben Friesen
Measures in Madrid by GCT Tom Barrett
Earth Science - science619 - The year’s curriculum mapped out.
Ancient Greece - Grade 6 two-student map as notes for the unit.
13 Colonies - Grade 8
Blog Posts (with links to Maps)
Finding more inspiring ideas by searching maps.google.com under Advanced Search
Get Your Bearings: How to use the tools
Top Tips for working on a collaborative map
1. Sign in to Google Maps
2. Click on "Save to My Places" (this is a way of bookmarking the map)
3. Search for your placemarks, then add them to a map by clicking the placmark then clicking "save to map" and choosing the desired map from a list.
Head out on the Trail
Activity 1: The Layover - If you only had 24-48 hours in Hanoi what would you do? See? Eat?
1. Go to this map: Hanoi Layover (don't forget the top tips above)
2. Then add 1 or 2 events, restaurants, experiences, places etc. that you would consider "Musts" for visitors with only a few hours in Hanoi. Plot the point on the map, label it and choose an appropriate icon for a placemark. Write a short description including what it is and why it is important. Don't forget to add your name into your description.
3. Bonus: If you found that all to be too easy,try to accomplish the following bonus tasks
- Add an image into the description.
- Add an image as the icon.
- Add a video into the description.
Activity Two: Share your ideas
If you were inspired by the work of other educators, and are thinking of a way you can utilize Google Maps in your subject area, don’t just keep it to yourself. SHARE IT!
Add your idea to the form on the right of this page.
More Resources
Google Map Engine Lite
Google Views
Create Your Own StreetView Map
Here is my first attempt: My Brother's Dental Office
What’s New with Google Maps?
Video Tutorials, Help, How-to, and Handouts
YouTube Playlist: Creating Personalized Google Maps
Student Handout - Creating a Map in Google Maps
Join in! Contribute to the Ongoing Google Maps Projects
Math Maps Started by GCT Tom Barrett
15 Interesting Ways to use Google Maps in the Classroom Started by GCT Tom Barrett
Google Lit Trips - Started by GCT Jerome Berg