Google Earth: Upgrade, Embed, and Explore
My summer schedule, while far from relaxed, has afforded me opportunities to spend some “quality time” exploring a few of my favorite applications. After David Jakes visited our campus a few weeks ago and gave a Google Earth workshop, I decided to dig a little deeper into this highly versatile and immensely powerful tool. Here are three quick (and hopefully easy) ways to get more from Google Earth.
Time to Upgrade
Google Earth 4.3 was released in late April and if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to upgrade. This latest version includes several new features, including photo-realistic buildings, swoop navigation, and light and shadow. If you’ve always wanted to tour Zurich or watch the sunset in Waikiki, Google Earth 4.3 is the next best thing to being there.
Embed the Earth
Until recently, maps and tours could only be viewed using Google Earth. Thanks to the Earth plug-in and JavaScript API, however, Google Earth can now be embedded on a web page. Being able to share 3D content on a blog or wiki and having users interact and respond has great classroom potential, and I plan to utilize this in the fall with our geography students.
If don’t have the desire or skill to work with JavaScript, you can still embed Google Earth (and maps) using a few simple tools. Street Cities combines Google Street View with Google Earth for a dual map control that lets you view locations simultaneously on the map and from the ground and air. Note that you must have the Earth plug-in installed and be using Internet Explorer or FireFox 2 to view Street Cities properly. This is a split-screen of St. Louis:
Another simple option for sharing Google Earth content is to use ShareIt! from Google Earth Hacks. Find your desired location, add a title, and ShareIt! will generate code that you can copy/paste into your post or page. Here is an interactive view of MICDS:
Powered by Google Earth Hacks | Map Details | Create your own!
I’m Going to Disney World!
Actually, I’ve just always wanted to say that, but in case you missed the announcement a few weeks ago, Disney World is now available in Google Earth. The virual tour of the four parks includes more than 1500 3D models and is the most detailed undertaking on Google Earth to date. While spending time exploring the Magic Kingdom may not sound educational, it is an impressive introduction to virtualization and digital cartography…and a whole lot of fun to boot!
June 26th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Thanks for aggregating all of Google Earth news.
-Skip