Presentation held in Dublin, 2012

1. EUROGEO Conference
Geography and Global Understanding: Connecting the Sciences
June 1st-3rd, 2012, Dublin, Ireland
Primary geography
goes on Virtual Tour
Giovanni Donadelli
giovanni.donadelli@gmail.com
University of Padua, Italy - University of Cologne, Germany
and
Italian Association of Geography Teachers

2. Thinking about the computer's role in education does not
mean thinking about computers,
it means thinking about education
(A.B. Ellis, The Use and Misuse of Computer in Education, 1974)

3. The use of digital globes and geo-browsers represents a true revolution among
geography teaching practices at all levels of education.
Google Earth is probably the better known and most diffused
geographical software used in schools
The use of Google Earth keenly supports the “four E’s” of the learning
life cycle model (Cates et al. 2003, 155), allowing students to
• engage in the lesson
• explore the earth
• explain what they identify
• evaluate the implications of what they are learning.
The very nature of Google Earth allows students to explore the earth in
a dynamic and interactive manner, helping them understand the
spatial context of their locale and engage in spatially-oriented learning
in an entertaining and meaningful manner.
(Patterson, 2007, 146)

4. IS Google Earth children-friendly?
Can Google Earth
Does 9-11 years support a deep
old children need geographical
any kind of learning?
training course to
learn how to use
this software?
Does Google Earth Can Google
use improve Earth substitute
pupils skills on our geography
using computer? textbooks?

5. Primary geography goes on Virtual Tour
Period: March-April-May 2012
Location: Geography Department, University of Padua
Target: 260 children from ten 4th and 5th grade primary
school classes (9-11 years old) of Padua
Experience: less than 30% used Google Earth before
A (pilot) workshop aimed to:
• Offer a different approach to study geography
• Build a bridge between University and Primary Schools
• Present Google Earth as a geographical tool (also for the teachers)
• Let the children "play" (get confident) with GE
• Train the students to use the software properly
• Reflect together with the students and their teachers different possible uses of GE
• Improve and certificate students Digital Literacy on Geographical Contents

6. At school Workshop structure
In the computer lab
In the department
First Second Third
step step step

7. The workshop started before its real start
 Refresh some geography knowledge with the children (maps,
environments, processes, etc..)
 Read to the class the mandatory letter
 Write and paint the individual cards
 Decide the pairs who will work as a team during the
workshop
 Make the children draw a map of a chosen Italian Region on
transparent paper
 Ask the children to bring to the workshop any object they
perceived linked to the region they've chosen
At school
First
step

8. Welcome to the geography room
Activities:
 Introduction to the Geography Departments, geographical
tools, methods and activities.
 Observation (globes, journals, maps, books, models)
 Questions and comments
 The value of maps – Layers and informations
 Let's build our map!
In the department
Second
step

9. Activities:
 Space Shuttle departure from the computer lab
 Short introduction to Google Earth (zoom in/out, point of view, street view mode, etc)
 Missions
1. Find a mountain peak near Aosta, create a placemark and personalize its icon and
description.
2. Explore the Trasimeno Lake coasts and create a polygon overlaying the lake. Set the
area with transparency.
3. Find out in which province and region is Occhiobello. Find out the name of the river
which pass by and create a line following the river till the sea.
4. Look for different environments or interesting point, create placemarks,
write down their coordinates and describe them briefly using the
In the computer lab
Third layers: photo, web cams, wikipedia, street view.
5. Create a virtual tour on the region
step6. *Go and find your school or your house

10. The certificate

11. Conclusions
All participants appreciated the workshop!
Google Earth isn't difficult for children BUT it's
a complex software
The software isn't really children-friendly
GE helped to improve children skills on mouse control
GE doesn't allow a better geographical understanding
by itself. It has to be plan how and why use it.
GE provide a different point of view but is premature to
think that it can substitute the textbook
The workshop is an effective experience which helped to
promote Digital Literacy and understanding on
Geographical Contents

12. EUROGEO Conference
Geography and Global Understanding: Connecting the Sciences
June 1st-3rd, 2012, Dublin, Ireland
Thank you for your attention
Giovanni Donadelli – giovanni.donadelli@gmail.com
University of Padua, Italy - University of Cologne, Germany
and
Italian Association of Geography Teachers