The Use of Virtual Globes as a Spatial Teaching Tool with Suggestions for Metadata Standards

Virtual Globe software has become extremely popular both inside and outside of educational settings. This software allows users to explore the Earth in three dimensions while streaming satellite imagery, elevation, and other data from the Internet. Virtual Globes, such as Google Earth, NASA World Wind, and ESRI's ArcGIS Explorer can be effectively used in standards-based, inquiry-driven geography lessons. With some practice, mashups (using data from more than one source to create new data) can be constructed for practically any application or area of interest. Educators who have not already begun to use these tools may wish to investigate them to help their students to think spatially by investigating processes and places on the Earth's surface in a three-dimensional visualization environment. Key Words: Google Earthspatial literacymetadata standardsgeography educationremote sensing RBS wishes to thank Ken Foote, Gail Hobbs, Cary Komoto, and countless others who have inspired me to become a better educator through their abilities of seeing the world from unique perspectives. Without their encouragement, this effort would not be possible. J. J. K. wishes to thank the thousands of educators at all levels, formal and informal, whom I have worked with over the past fifteen years. You are making a positive difference in our world and have inspired me to seek to do the same. T. C. P. wishes to thank the coauthors and David Cowen and Jerry Mitchell, who inspired me to consider the application of Google Earth and virtual globes as educational tools. Richard B. Schultz serves as the program coordinator for the Elmhurst College GIS Certificate Program at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. He also is a member of the faculty in the Department of Geography and Geosciences at Elmhurst College where he teaches courses in GIS, meteorology, physical geography, environmental issues, and global climate change, as well as intercultural studies. Joseph J. Kerski serves as education industry curriculum development manager for Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI, Inc.) in Denver, Colorado, having previously served as geographer at the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). He creates curriculum focused on the use of desktop-and Web-based GIS for geography, earth science, history, environmental studies, and other subjects. Todd C. Patterson is a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA, and is an adjunct faculty member of DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA.