I just returned from a fabulous weekend at Google's mothership in CA, where 50 of us gathered from literally around the globe. Officially known as Google Earth Education Experts, we are "a global network of teachers and educational technologists that help [our] organizations and educators everywhere push the boundaries of what’s possible for Google Earth in the classroom." We are ambassadors to promote geoliteracy through our classrooms and trainings and are passionate about both exploring and making sense of the world around us.
As I wrote earlier after I attended the Geo For Good Summit in India:
"Geoliteracy, as defined by Google Earth Education, is a relatively new term for a long-standing idea consisting of three components: interactions, interconnections and implications. It is the ability to use geographic understanding and geographic reasoning to make far-reaching decisions. It's more than mapping. Way more. It's making sense of our world in a way that sparks change. I've seen how important it is for teachers to help students develop geoliteracy, to interact well with the world around them, and to make a lasting impact on humanity as a whole."
A main goal of this global gathering was to put our brains together. We aimed to create engaging content and classroom resources that channels the power of Google Earth into practical classroom resources educators can use across all content areas and around the globe. We spent two days thinking, hacking, reflecting, creating, and... repeat.
As I wrote earlier after I attended the Geo For Good Summit in India:
"Geoliteracy, as defined by Google Earth Education, is a relatively new term for a long-standing idea consisting of three components: interactions, interconnections and implications. It is the ability to use geographic understanding and geographic reasoning to make far-reaching decisions. It's more than mapping. Way more. It's making sense of our world in a way that sparks change. I've seen how important it is for teachers to help students develop geoliteracy, to interact well with the world around them, and to make a lasting impact on humanity as a whole."
A main goal of this global gathering was to put our brains together. We aimed to create engaging content and classroom resources that channels the power of Google Earth into practical classroom resources educators can use across all content areas and around the globe. We spent two days thinking, hacking, reflecting, creating, and... repeat.
This is our USA East Coast group
There is a lot of energy and fun in a room full of movers and shakers in education and educational technology. The jokes and wit never let up. Our zest for change and giving back was palpable, fueled by great minds, great ideas, great enthusiasm and pizazz (and great food). It was a blast!
We also had the unique opportunity to pick Googlers' brains about what they're working on, what's coming, and how products will keep improving so that all can benefit. It's pretty cool talking to the very people and teams who create and write the tools we use everyday.
It's always a treat to visit a Google campus and no detail is lost on me. The food, design, decor, bulletin board notices, even heated toilet seats...were all so fun and inspiring. I also loved the Google bikes (and had quite the adventure riding where #nogooglebikehadbeenbefore as I trekked to a different campus and ended up logging 10 miles.)
It's always a treat to visit a Google campus and no detail is lost on me. The food, design, decor, bulletin board notices, even heated toilet seats...were all so fun and inspiring. I also loved the Google bikes (and had quite the adventure riding where #nogooglebikehadbeenbefore as I trekked to a different campus and ended up logging 10 miles.)
I can't wait to be a small part of the impact moving forward as we strive to get Google Earth in all classrooms #eartheveryday.
It's an awesome world we are part of!
It's an awesome world we are part of!
My Google Earth power pose :)
Please take a few minutes to watch this inspiring story about a few of our Google Earth Education Experts and see what Google Earth can bring to the classroom. It's powerful.
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