Embedding a Google Earth Viewer into Google Sites

Interested in putting a Google Earth presentation into your Google Site? Using a gadget will allow you to embed your Google Earth file into a viewable window. 


This is a presentation I created from the book P is for Palmetto, by Carol Crane. All of the text within the presentation is the work of Ms. Crane.


Here's how I did it:

1. Create your KMZ file and save it to a server or somewhere like Dropbox. Saving it to Google Docs / Google Drive does not preserve the .kmz extension at the end of the file. You'll need to have that .kmz extension to make this work. 
2. Go to the Google Site page where you'll want your gadget to appear.
3. Click on the Edit button. Select Insert from the menu toolbar and select "More gadgets" from the bottom of the left-hand column. Then, select "Add gadget by URL" from the left-hand side of the box.
4. Paste in the URL http://dl.google.com/developers/maps/embedkmlgadget.xml. (Make sure there is only one "http://" at the beginning of the URL.) Click Add.
5. In the box reserved for "KML or My Maps URL" enter the address where your KMZ file is located. (I stored my KMZ file in Dropbox and this didn't work quite right. I had to go back to Dropbox, click on the "Get Link" button and go to the page that appeared. In the center of the page, right-click or Control-click on the Download button. Select the option "Copy Link Address." Paste this into the box reserved for "KML or My Maps URL.")
6. Make any changes you prefer and click OK.

You should be good to go after that. I've noticed that some of the pictures I've added to my KMZ file have not loaded properly, but most are loading perfectly. 

Here are two helpful sites:

1. http://www.google.com/earth/outreach/tutorials/kmlembed.html
2. http://www.steegle.com/websites/google-sites-howtos/embed-google-map

Good luck!

Connecting Google Docs and Evernote

At my school we are currently in the planning stages of implementing an ePortfolio initiative with our 7th graders for next year. This will be done in conjunction with a 1:1 iPad program, which will allow students to create work and move it onto the web so they can share their work with their teachers and even use it for student-led conferences. (As a side note, student-led conferences are one of the greatest ideas I've encountered in schools! Essentially students are responsible for exhibiting samples of their work for their parents and describing their plans for moving forward.) We are currently using Google Apps for Education as our primary means of sharing documents, and students have become very competent in accessing and sharing their work with their peers and teachers. However, we have decided to utilize Evernote for building their ePortfolios because Google Docs is very clunky when working with it on the iPad (what's the deal, Google?) and Evernote has a powerful mobile app that will help streamline the process. Evernote possesses many other great aspects, but that's another post.

Because we're using Google Docs one of the stumbling points was How does or how can Evernote work with Google Docs? We want to continue using Google Docs, especially in the computer labs, but we are aware the two don't play well with each other on the iPad. So, I came up with some (hopefully) simple steps for sharing your Google Docs with Evernote.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8EcUpiFwfj1RXBjcF9rLUdCUVU

Good luck!

Create a Podcast Project (Full Lesson Plan)

http://wordcastnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/podcast.png

With the onset of spring, many teachers are having their students complete research assignments, which usually include some sort of presentation, whether a Keynote, PowerPoint, or a Prezi. Allow me to propose an alternative: podcasting. Officially, podcasts are audio recordings posted on the Internet that people can subscribe to, meaning they'll automatically receive each new recording that is posted. Less technically, a podcast is simply an audio recording that is shared with other people. It is a fantastic way for people to share their learning or provide information with others in a way that is engaging for both the creator and the listener!

Benefits of Podcasting

Depending on the expectations of the project, students will learn

1. How to conduct proper academic research
2. How to cite their sources
3. The importance of organizing their thoughts in order to provide a clearly understood argument
4. Presentation skills
5. How to work effectively within a group to achieve a common purpose
6. Group management skills
7. Several technology programs and processes that they may see later in their education and careers

Project Guides / Cheat Sheets

An in-depth research project, such as creating a podcast, has many moving parts, which can tend to disorient students as they are inundated with dates, figures, and facts. It helps to have a clear guide that directs students through the process in order to keep them focused and on track. To help with this I've created a step-by-step guide for teachers and students as they go along.

Microsoft Word format: http://db.tt/XMTU2WFC
Apple Pages format: http://db.tt/umqBqBMT

Edit these documents (especially the areas with the yellow highlights) to apply to your class and your expectations.

Note: You'll notice that the directions utilize Apple's GarageBand application, but for Windows users try Windows Movie Maker, Audacity, or SoundCloud.com.


Have fun podcasting!

Creating a Template in Pages '09