detail study of touch screen ipod.
iPod touch. Touching student lives in the classroom.
Creative Uses for iPod touch in Education
Geography on the Go: Google Maps & Earth
Geography - A 21st Century Skill
Having been identified as a key skill for 21st Century Learning, teaching geography in the classroom today is an important and necessary skill area for today's teachers to address. As our world becomes increasing connected globally, students must have a sound knowledge of the world's physical features, as well as social, economic, and political events influenced by geography.
With such a tall order to fill, teachers can creatively use the portable power of the iPod touch to make geography lessons fun, engaging, and relevant to students. Using both the built-in Maps application as well as Google Earth for iPhone & iPod touch, the iPod touch can become a power tool to teach & learn geography skills on the go! This section aims to detail some simple techniques about how the iPod touch can make this all possible.
Google Maps Basics for Teachers
As an iPod touch equipped teacher, you can use the basic Google Maps application to perform all sorts of simple geographic activities right from the palm of your hand. Many of these tasks can make getting around a little easier on the go without needing or having access to the full web-based version of Google Maps. Here are some ways a teacher might make use of the iPod touch version of Google Maps:
Finding your current approximate geographic location - Very handy if you are not at home or school but have WiFi access where you are!
Quickly finding how to get to a contact's place of business or home - Using their info from your Contact application, you can get there fast for an interview, meeting or appointment.
Searching for a particular business or similar points of educational interest - Locate places of interest that are nearby you (i.e. - local coffee shops, museums, libraries, bookstores, etc.)
View live traffic (if available) - This can make easy to find a quicker way to get around
Plot routes to destinations - Use the Directions feature of iPod touch's Google Maps to get directions for field trips, class outings, etc.
Change views to get more familiar with an area - Using the Map, Satellite or Hybrid you can get an aerial view of a vicinity either to get a better sense of its surroundings,
Google Maps Basics For Students
Google Maps on the iPod touch can also serve many uses to students as well. Whether part of a learning activity or just as a reference tool, Google Maps on the iPod touch may be just enough or just right instead of having to use the full web-based version of Google Maps to get the job done! Here of some simple uses of Google Maps on the iPod touch that might be applicable for students:
Searching for a study spot on the go - Locate places of educaitonal interest that are nearby you (i.e. - local coffee shops, museums, libraries, bookstores, etc.)
Locate famous locales in a flash - Finding locations you are studying to see how far they are from you, how they look from the sky, etc.
Changing views to see geography in a whole new way - Change views to Map, Satellite or Hybrid , or List; allowing you to see how geography has influenced the development of a historical building or location.
Marking any location you need to reference quickly - Use the Drop Pin feature in Google Maps.
Beyond the Basics - Google MyMaps for Mobile
What if you need to load more than one location into Google Maps on your iPod touch? Say you want to see a group of landmarks or different sites to be studied at the same time; you can do this easily by using the Google My Maps for mobile website to load a Google My Map right onto your iPod touch!
MyMaps for Mobile is a Google web application that has been created to provide easy access to your Google My Maps on your mobile devices such as the iPod touch or iPhone. To get started using this tool, follow these simple instructions:
Create a custom map by logging into Google Maps on a computerand then create and save a custom map in My Maps.
While still in Google Maps on a computer, collaborate your map with mymapsmobile@smtp2web.com.
On your mobile device, go to http://mymapsmobile.appspot.com and login with your Google Account.
A web based interface will appear on screen, Simply click on the folded map icon for your custom map to automatically load it into iPod touch's native Google Maps application!
Using the method above, you can quickly load a Google My Map onto your iPod Touch or iPhone, while this is much easier to read & navigate than a web-based version of Google Maps running in mobile Safari, there are a few limitations to be aware of in the current version of Google Maps for the iPod touch:
only placemarks work (regions, for example, will not be recognized)
descriptions are not supported
there is a 100 point limit
Wow...The Whole Planet in Your Pocket!
Just one experience with it and you are sure to agree that Google Earth on the iPod touch and iPhone is one of most exciting mobile geography applications that have been released to date. With this amazing, popular FREE download from the iTunes App Store, you now have the power to scour the globe right from the palm of your hand. Using just some simple finger gestures & a tilt of the wrist, you can access the same global imagery and 3D terrain used in the desktop version of Google Earth for your computer.
Using Google Earth for iPod touch in the Classroom
While Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch is just downright fun to use, there are many practicial uses for both the classroom teacher as well as the student. With Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch, here are some ways you can use it for teaching and learning:
• Using the 'Location' feature to fly to your current location - Quickly & easily show and/or see in detailed animation where you are in geographically located on the globe any place you have WiFi!
• Viewing the Panoramio layer to browse geo-located photos from around the world - Access high quality user-contributed photographs from landmarks and locations from across the globe.
• Viewing geo-located Wikipedia articles - Access geo-tagged entries from the world largest user-created encyclopedia with facts and information about geographic locations you may be exploring.
• Searching for cities, places and business around the globe with Google Local Search - Find & "fly" to locations of interest on demand in relation to where you are located in the world.
• Adjust your view in 3D detail - By just titling your iPod touch, you can use Google Earth to see mountainous terrain in 3D or study the topographic features of an area from a bird's eye view.
Going Further with Google Earth for iPod touch
Although this first release of Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch does not support KML file upload, you can customize the iPhone experience somewhat by geotagging Wikipedia articles you create or uploading your own high quality photos to Google's Panoramio website, the two layers supported in Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch.
Panoramio is a website that enables digital photographers to geolocate, store and organize their photographs and to view those photographs in Google Earth and Google Maps. Since Panoramio is owned by Google it is one of the layers that has been fully supported in the intital release of Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch. Using this layer, you might have students explore photos of historical landmarks and locales that are currently avalaible. Perhaps to go even further, you or your students might capture and contribute their own photos for possible selection by Google to be added to the Panoramio layer in the future! Here is how this can be done:
Sign up at panoramio.com for an account.
Upload photos to your account and map them using map controls and then choosing the "Save position" button. Keep in mind that Panoramio only uses photos for Google Earth that are of exterior places: landscapes, monuments, streets, buildings, parks. They also must high quality images that fit their rather specific acceptable use policy.
Uploading photos to Panoramio does not automatically mean that they will appear on Google Earth. Basically, photos are reviewed and selected for Google Earth when they fit in the acceptance policy. Then photos can be seen first in the "Popular Tab" of the World Map and some weeks later in Google Earth.
Panoramio photo points will appear on Google Earth for iPhone as blue squares, (see screenshot below). Simply touch one of these squares to see the attached geo-tagged photo in detail!
Wikipedia is the only other Geographic Layer that is currently supported in Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch. This feature is derived from the Wikipedia website where it is possible to geotag articles using a special tagging method provided by Wikipedia, referred to as the {{coord}} template. This tagging system works by embedding geographic coordinates into Wikipedia and thus allow that data to be parsed & recognized in the Geographic Layer of Google Earth.
In order to use the {{coord}} template of Wikipedia and get it to show up in Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch, here are a few simple steps to follow:
Begin by locating the geographic location of your Wikipedia article. An easy tool to do this that will auto generate the {{coord}} template data you need, is the excellent GeoLocator for Wikipedia which lets you plot a location on a Google Map and retrieve then the coordinate data in the coord template format automatically!!
Next, use the {{coord}} template data you gathered to geo tag your article. Be certain to use the display=title tag of the {{coord}} template as this tag refers explicitly refer to the location listed in the Wikipedia title of the article, rather than another geographic location that may appear in the article text. For example, articles tagged with display=inline only will not appear in the Geographic Web layer. Articles tagged with display=inline,title should appear in Google Earth. For example, the following {{coord}} template is what is used in the Wikipedia article about the village of New Hartford, NY that appear in the Geographic Web layer of Google Earth the iPhone and iPod touch:{{coord|43|4|9|N|75|17|18|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
Google Earth should recognize this location and includes the article the next time Google publishes the layer. This is not instantaneous and is typically updated once every one to three months. Wikipedia entries will appear as white squares with a black W on Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch
Creative Uses for iPod touch in Education
Geography on the Go: Google Maps & Earth
Geography - A 21st Century Skill
Having been identified as a key skill for 21st Century Learning, teaching geography in the classroom today is an important and necessary skill area for today's teachers to address. As our world becomes increasing connected globally, students must have a sound knowledge of the world's physical features, as well as social, economic, and political events influenced by geography.
With such a tall order to fill, teachers can creatively use the portable power of the iPod touch to make geography lessons fun, engaging, and relevant to students. Using both the built-in Maps application as well as Google Earth for iPhone & iPod touch, the iPod touch can become a power tool to teach & learn geography skills on the go! This section aims to detail some simple techniques about how the iPod touch can make this all possible.
Google Maps Basics for Teachers
As an iPod touch equipped teacher, you can use the basic Google Maps application to perform all sorts of simple geographic activities right from the palm of your hand. Many of these tasks can make getting around a little easier on the go without needing or having access to the full web-based version of Google Maps. Here are some ways a teacher might make use of the iPod touch version of Google Maps:
Finding your current approximate geographic location - Very handy if you are not at home or school but have WiFi access where you are!
Quickly finding how to get to a contact's place of business or home - Using their info from your Contact application, you can get there fast for an interview, meeting or appointment.
Searching for a particular business or similar points of educational interest - Locate places of interest that are nearby you (i.e. - local coffee shops, museums, libraries, bookstores, etc.)
View live traffic (if available) - This can make easy to find a quicker way to get around
Plot routes to destinations - Use the Directions feature of iPod touch's Google Maps to get directions for field trips, class outings, etc.
Change views to get more familiar with an area - Using the Map, Satellite or Hybrid you can get an aerial view of a vicinity either to get a better sense of its surroundings,
Google Maps Basics For Students
Google Maps on the iPod touch can also serve many uses to students as well. Whether part of a learning activity or just as a reference tool, Google Maps on the iPod touch may be just enough or just right instead of having to use the full web-based version of Google Maps to get the job done! Here of some simple uses of Google Maps on the iPod touch that might be applicable for students:
Searching for a study spot on the go - Locate places of educaitonal interest that are nearby you (i.e. - local coffee shops, museums, libraries, bookstores, etc.)
Locate famous locales in a flash - Finding locations you are studying to see how far they are from you, how they look from the sky, etc.
Changing views to see geography in a whole new way - Change views to Map, Satellite or Hybrid , or List; allowing you to see how geography has influenced the development of a historical building or location.
Marking any location you need to reference quickly - Use the Drop Pin feature in Google Maps.
Beyond the Basics - Google MyMaps for Mobile
What if you need to load more than one location into Google Maps on your iPod touch? Say you want to see a group of landmarks or different sites to be studied at the same time; you can do this easily by using the Google My Maps for mobile website to load a Google My Map right onto your iPod touch!
MyMaps for Mobile is a Google web application that has been created to provide easy access to your Google My Maps on your mobile devices such as the iPod touch or iPhone. To get started using this tool, follow these simple instructions:
Create a custom map by logging into Google Maps on a computerand then create and save a custom map in My Maps.
While still in Google Maps on a computer, collaborate your map with mymapsmobile@smtp2web.com.
On your mobile device, go to http://mymapsmobile.appspot.com and login with your Google Account.
A web based interface will appear on screen, Simply click on the folded map icon for your custom map to automatically load it into iPod touch's native Google Maps application!
Using the method above, you can quickly load a Google My Map onto your iPod Touch or iPhone, while this is much easier to read & navigate than a web-based version of Google Maps running in mobile Safari, there are a few limitations to be aware of in the current version of Google Maps for the iPod touch:
only placemarks work (regions, for example, will not be recognized)
descriptions are not supported
there is a 100 point limit
Wow...The Whole Planet in Your Pocket!
Just one experience with it and you are sure to agree that Google Earth on the iPod touch and iPhone is one of most exciting mobile geography applications that have been released to date. With this amazing, popular FREE download from the iTunes App Store, you now have the power to scour the globe right from the palm of your hand. Using just some simple finger gestures & a tilt of the wrist, you can access the same global imagery and 3D terrain used in the desktop version of Google Earth for your computer.
Using Google Earth for iPod touch in the Classroom
While Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch is just downright fun to use, there are many practicial uses for both the classroom teacher as well as the student. With Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch, here are some ways you can use it for teaching and learning:
• Using the 'Location' feature to fly to your current location - Quickly & easily show and/or see in detailed animation where you are in geographically located on the globe any place you have WiFi!
• Viewing the Panoramio layer to browse geo-located photos from around the world - Access high quality user-contributed photographs from landmarks and locations from across the globe.
• Viewing geo-located Wikipedia articles - Access geo-tagged entries from the world largest user-created encyclopedia with facts and information about geographic locations you may be exploring.
• Searching for cities, places and business around the globe with Google Local Search - Find & "fly" to locations of interest on demand in relation to where you are located in the world.
• Adjust your view in 3D detail - By just titling your iPod touch, you can use Google Earth to see mountainous terrain in 3D or study the topographic features of an area from a bird's eye view.
Going Further with Google Earth for iPod touch
Although this first release of Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch does not support KML file upload, you can customize the iPhone experience somewhat by geotagging Wikipedia articles you create or uploading your own high quality photos to Google's Panoramio website, the two layers supported in Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch.
Panoramio is a website that enables digital photographers to geolocate, store and organize their photographs and to view those photographs in Google Earth and Google Maps. Since Panoramio is owned by Google it is one of the layers that has been fully supported in the intital release of Google Earth for iPhone and iPod touch. Using this layer, you might have students explore photos of historical landmarks and locales that are currently avalaible. Perhaps to go even further, you or your students might capture and contribute their own photos for possible selection by Google to be added to the Panoramio layer in the future! Here is how this can be done:
Sign up at panoramio.com for an account.
Upload photos to your account and map them using map controls and then choosing the "Save position" button. Keep in mind that Panoramio only uses photos for Google Earth that are of exterior places: landscapes, monuments, streets, buildings, parks. They also must high quality images that fit their rather specific acceptable use policy.
Uploading photos to Panoramio does not automatically mean that they will appear on Google Earth. Basically, photos are reviewed and selected for Google Earth when they fit in the acceptance policy. Then photos can be seen first in the "Popular Tab" of the World Map and some weeks later in Google Earth.
Panoramio photo points will appear on Google Earth for iPhone as blue squares, (see screenshot below). Simply touch one of these squares to see the attached geo-tagged photo in detail!
Wikipedia is the only other Geographic Layer that is currently supported in Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch. This feature is derived from the Wikipedia website where it is possible to geotag articles using a special tagging method provided by Wikipedia, referred to as the {{coord}} template. This tagging system works by embedding geographic coordinates into Wikipedia and thus allow that data to be parsed & recognized in the Geographic Layer of Google Earth.
In order to use the {{coord}} template of Wikipedia and get it to show up in Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch, here are a few simple steps to follow:
Begin by locating the geographic location of your Wikipedia article. An easy tool to do this that will auto generate the {{coord}} template data you need, is the excellent GeoLocator for Wikipedia which lets you plot a location on a Google Map and retrieve then the coordinate data in the coord template format automatically!!
Next, use the {{coord}} template data you gathered to geo tag your article. Be certain to use the display=title tag of the {{coord}} template as this tag refers explicitly refer to the location listed in the Wikipedia title of the article, rather than another geographic location that may appear in the article text. For example, articles tagged with display=inline only will not appear in the Geographic Web layer. Articles tagged with display=inline,title should appear in Google Earth. For example, the following {{coord}} template is what is used in the Wikipedia article about the village of New Hartford, NY that appear in the Geographic Web layer of Google Earth the iPhone and iPod touch:{{coord|43|4|9|N|75|17|18|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
Google Earth should recognize this location and includes the article the next time Google publishes the layer. This is not instantaneous and is typically updated once every one to three months. Wikipedia entries will appear as white squares with a black W on Google Earth for the iPhone and iPod touch
