Google Maps and Earth

Hello,

I have just discovered both Google Maps and Google Earth and have determined they are a History and Geography teachers dream come true.

Imagine a history class studying Nazi germany being able to zoom in on the current day remains of Auschwitz concentration camp and the power that experience could have on their learning. Imagine student's being able to create an interactive map of the voyage of James Cook as he discovered Australia.

The close range of image that is provided by Google Earth is incredible, and also quite scary. Someone could be watching me as I type this :S

Within the classroom, as a future Humanities teacher, I would most definitely use both Google Earth and Google Maps to portray to students, the landscape, current conditions and culture of placed beyond Australia's border.

I could also create my own map, and provide it with annotated notes for students as a study resource.

The possibilities really seem endless.