Digital Pedagogies for using Google Earth & Wikipedia

I had used Google Earth prior to this course to look up addresses, directions and look at houses including overseas friends houses. I also used Google to look up large areas to see what they looked like. Google Earth is a fantastic resource for teachers and students as it engages students by giving them control over where they go and what the see. They can choose to see images from different parts of the earth from their own backyard’s to countries on the other side of the earth. From this they will gain an understanding Earth's geography. As some areas photo's are a few years old Google Earth can also be used to show human development of an area also. There are a great number of educational applications over many subject areas that Google Earth can be used for and there are some great examples provided in this Google Earth blog

I think Wikipedia is an incredible resource and I find it generally has contributions from people really interested and knowledgeable about the subject they are adding to. I have found the information to be accurate and when changes occur the information is usually updated very quickly. As a resource for students it is quick, exhaustive and easy reference that allows them to develop background knowledge in subject areas. Its knowledge and images are covered by the creative commons license agreement and such allows educational use for students.

Music can improve a learning experience and either add new learning elements or help students engage. The right music can stop a presentation or video from becoming boring. INCOMPETECH provide royalty free music that is covered under the Creative Commons agreement. I am looking at using sound and music in a physics experiment to learn about and monitor sound wave properties.