One of my World Geography teachers came to me recently wanting to do a project. He has 10 days unallocated in his scope and sequence and he wants to do a project with his kids as he doesn’t often get to. It sounds good to me! My requirements are simple: make it enjoyable and make it useful. This project can be used to help prepare the whole class for the final exam and help teach next year’s students. Do you have any suggestions to improve it before we start teaching on Wednesday? Please leave suggestions in the comments.
Google Earth Tours
You will be creating narrated video tours in Google Earth to help your class prepare for the final exam and to help future students learn about the diverse countries you have studied this year. Your tours will all be posted on a class website so that everyone may benefit.
Step 1
Choose a Country
You may choose any 1 country that we have studied this year. Your choices include:
- Canada
- United States
- Mexico
- Latin America (Cover the region)
- France
- Germany
- England
- Italy
- Ireland
- Greece
- Russia
- The Middle East (Cover the region)
- China
- Korea
- Japan
- India
- Pakistan
- Other countries/regions possibly approved in discussion with Mr. Ramsey.
Step 2
Find Your Places
Google Earth is a realistic 3D model of the earth. You need to find 10 landmarks in the country. For each landmark, you have to write 1 paragraph (5 sentences or more) explaining its significance, you have to have either a picture or a video, and you have to have a link to where you can find more information. The landmarks need to meet the following requirements:
- At least 3 landmarks demonstrate Geographical significance.
- At least 3 landmarks demonstrate historical significance.
- At least 3 landmarks demonstrate diversity or cultural significance.
- You need 10 landmarks, so 1 is your choice.
- The landmarks should be in varied areas so people can experience the geography and diversity of the area/region.
- Each landmark should be accompanied by a paragraph explaining its significance.
- Each landmark should have a picture or video to help people understand its significance.
- Each landmark should have a website link where people can find more information.
Step 3
Create and Organize Your Tour
Create your 10 placemarks and organize them in the order you will view them on your tour. The video below demonstrates how to do so.
You will need this document to add a placemark with a picture and this document to add a placemark with a video.
Step 4
Record Your Narrated Tour
Record audio narration as you go through your tour. The video below demonstrates how to do this.
Step 5
Save Your Tour
The video in the previous step shows you how to save the file. Right-click on your tour and click Save place as… Save it as Period-Lastname-Country.kmz. For example, if I’m in Mr. Ramsey’s 3rd period, I would save it as 3-Bedell-Peru.kmz. Turn it in to Mr. Ramsey on his drop box.
Grading Rubric
This rubric explains what to do to get a B. If you get 5 (the best) in every column, you will get at least a B+. If you want an A, pick an area and go above and beyond. You have several days to complete the project. If you want an A, do something outstanding beyond what is required. Be creative.
| 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| Placemarks | You have 10 placemarks. They all have a full paragraph that explains the significance of the landmark, a picture or video that helps people to understand the landmark, and a link to a good website to help people learn more. | You have 10 placemarks. At least 7 have a full paragraph that explains the significance of the landmark, a picture or video that helps people to understand the landmark, and a link to a good website to help people learn more. | You have less than 10 placemarks. Some may be missing the paragraph, the visual, or the link. |
| Geography | At least 3 of your placemarks cover geography, demonstrate the importance of the geography to the country’s way of life, and illustrate the uniqueness of the country’s landscape. | At least 3 of your placemarks cover geography, but they are mostly very similar. The importance of the country’s unique geography is not explored thoroughly. | Less than 3 placemarks cover geography. Because of this, the geography cannot be explored in depth. |
| History | At least 3 of the placemarks cover history; the landmarks chosen are important to history and how the landmark and the historical event that took place there affected the country is explained thoroughly. | At least 3 placemarks cover history; the landmarks chosen of are varying significance to the country. How the landmark and historical event affected the country is explained thoroughly for at least 2 placemarks. | Less than 3 placemarks cover history. Because of this, the history cannot be explored in depth. |
| Culture and Diversity | At least 3 of the placemarks cover landmarks of cultural significance or that show diversity. How the landmark impacts the daily and cultural life in the country is explained thoroughly for all the placemarks. | At least 3 of the placemarks cover landmarks of cultural significance or that show diversity. How the landmark impacts the daily and cultural life in the country is explained thoroughly for at least 2 of the placemarks, | Less than 3 placemarks cover culture/diversity. Because of this, the culture/diversity cannot be explored in depth. |
| Audio Narration | The audio narration is not read; it includes other details that help the user to better understand the country. | The audio narration helps auditory learners, but includes few extra details than the placemarks. The presentation is read fluidly without unnecessary pauses. | The audio narration includes no details that are not in the placemarks and does not add much to the user’s understanding. |
