Nearing the Tree Tops

My virtual plane was fueled, ready for me to fly across the ocean to the great Vatican City this week. And as my tour continued around the world, I saw The Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rainier and my childhood home. And the best part: I didn't use a single vomit bag!

The journey through Google Earth was interesting, because it gave me a new way of looking at the world around us. And although the tool was cool, it wasn't as focused as I hoped it would be as I zoomed in. My husband prefers another tool called Flash Earth. This one seemed to provide clearer views at closer ranges.

What I hope is that in conjuction with applications like Google Earth students continue to go outside and explore the outdoors. For Google Earth doesn't provide sounds or smells or a connection to nature. Have you read Last Child in the Woods? If not, I encourage it.

Me at an absolutely secret blueberry-picking spot.

What I'm also wondering is if there are any ethic violation cases regarding the use/misuse of this application. Because not only could Google Earth be used in the classroom to explore the use of technology to benefit scientific study, but also to debate issues with technology. (A discussion scientists are having right now concerns data collection on a database. Idea: scientists share their data on a database to get to solutions quicker. Concern: Scientists collect data differently, so how do you sort and calibrate it? Therefore, a potential classroom debate could be: What are the pros and cons of using technology to advance science discovery.)

Simulations are booming! I immensely enjoy the educational benefit of simulations. They clarify science concepts through magnification. Brilliant. A new one I came across through my search was Gamequarium. Check it out on the class simulation wiki. (The one through my PLN on viruses is there too!)

So, to conclude, my flight pattern was varied this week, and as usual, I am in awe of the volume of resources available on the Web. But what I am also realizing is that I am nearing my tree top.

And I can't wait to reach the top and fly!