Google Earth versus Google Tour Builder

Today I am going to compare two Google tools that involve using maps.  These two tools are Google Earth and Google Tour builder. 

Google Earth

                   VS

Google Tour Builder

What is Google Earth and Google Tour Builder?  

Google Earth:  Google Earth allows you to go almost anywhere on earth using satellite imagery.  It allows you to get a street view and even gives you the option to see buildings in 3D.  Google Earth has options that allow you to explore the oceans, outer space, and other planets.  For more information on Google Earth, click here.  

This is an image of the Empire State Building in New York City using Google Earth.  














Google Tour Builder:  Google Tour Builder allows you to give people a virtual tour of certain locations using Google Earth.  You can add text, pictures, videos, and can even capitalize on using the street view option in your tour.  For more information on Google Tour Builder, click here.  


Click here to access my Google Tour on five famous mathematicians.

Similarities

• Google Tour Builder uses Google Earth and Maps.  
• Both offer a street view option.

Differences

• Google Earth
• Allows you to measure distances 
• Allows you to to show sunlight across the landscape and set the time of day
• Allows you to switch between earth, sky, and planets view.
• Allows you to explore the oceans.  
• Allows you to show historical imagery, if it is available for that location.  
• Allows you to record a tour with audio.  
• Offers 3D imagery of buildings.  
• Google Tour Builder
• Allows you to record a virtual tour.
• Allows you to add pictures and videos.  
• Allows you to add an introduction and text to your virtual tour.
• Allows you to share your tour with a URL.  

Lesson Plan Ideas

• Google Earth
• Allow students to pick a famous landmark and locate it using Google Earth.  Have them use the ruler to get the dimensions of the landmark.  Then have them create a scale drawing of the landmark.
• Three-dimensional shape scavenger hunt
• Allow students to pick certain locations.  Have them use the ruler to get the dimensions of the location.  Then have them find the perimeter and area of the location
• For more lesson plan ideas, math and other subjects, using Google Earth, click here.  
• Google Tour Builder
• Famous landmarks tour
• Tour a country you will be learning about
• Tour an area that you read about in a book
• For more lesson plan ideas using Google Tour Builder, click here.  

Overall, both tools have amazing possibilities for the classroom.  I like Google Earth a little more than Google Tour Builder because I feel that it has more options for me as a math teacher.  Regardless of my opinion, both of these have wonderful features that will increase student engagement in your classroom.  Thanks for reading my blog this week.  Stop by next week for my blog on making a webpage with Google sites.