Reflection Task 5:
The technology of interactive learning objects is by far the most relevant to digital pedagogy in my opinion. This technology incorporates many other digital tools previously discussed in this blog such as: images, video, audio, and presentation. An interactive learning object can be created in the form of an educational game or purely an interactive object that encourages learning.
The settings of this technology allow the user to visualise a real-life representation of the World's streets. This can be viewed as a map or as a photograph of the Earth. It is also possible to type in a street name and house number or building number. This feature gives the user direct access to any part of the world (with a street) and provides them with a still image with a 360° view. Another great feature on this service is the ability to access directions from any location and co-ordinate them to any different location. It lists walking, bicycle and car as chosen preferences of travel between locations and gives an estimate distance and time for each. This is easily accessible through the online service. It is not possible for a user to become an author of google maps. There is no way to physically sign up for Google Maps - the only personalised segment of the service is your location.
The idea of Google Maps is very simplistic however very abundant with opportunity to explore parts of the world you desire to see. There are some locations you can visit on Google Maps that have no roads, for example: Loch Ness in Scotland and the Pyramids in Egypt. There is no technical skill required to use this online service - the only minor difficulties users might encounter are spelling street names or navigating around the map.
The learning outcomes produced from Google Maps in education are enormous. Especially for my chosen discipline teaching area - Geography - this online service can be a very beneficial. 'Site and Situation' is a geographical term used to discuss the location of an object or area (city, subarb, street, etc). This is a very important aspect to cover when learning about geography and specifically the geography of a specific region or area. Site and Situation is about having the ability to label and discuss the whereabouts of a certain location and its incorporated information. For example, describing the location by referring to evidence surrounding the area such as a landmark, and also the longitude and latitude of the particular area. This is where Google Maps becomes a very useful tool in education as it gives students and teachers the information they need to correctly source and define and area. This is an example of how Google Maps can be used as an educational activity and is one example of the many ways it specifically relates to learning geography.
Below is the SAMR Model which has been explained to benefit the digital
tools of learning objects and interactive online services. This model can be used to provide feedback and improvement upon
teaching. (E.g. Geography class as an example).
Substitution Level: Rather than a printed/still image of a location or map, Google Maps can be used to explore the location and its surrounding elements. From this students can write a paragraph about 'site and situation' or discuss how increased inundation could affect an area.
Augmentation Level: There are many locations around the world that are known for their tectonic plate boundaries. It is very easy to navigate to these areas on Google Maps (e.g. San Andreas) and explore the plate boundary and its properties. This is a very useful teaching tool that allows students to visualise their content.
Modification Level: Applying knowledge to assessment tasks and homework tasks - Use Google Maps as an appendix on a task and discuss the option of two concepts to improve the area. E.g. raise the height of a specific road or construct a bypass road/overpass.
Redefinition Level: An excursion of an area selected on Google Maps to discover information and record findings based on the unit/topic under study. E.g. Ross River in Townsville - Assessment Task based on mosquitoes and their natural habitat, breeding, disease spreading, etc. Google Maps is a very useful tool here as it allows the teacher to organise an effective and productive excursion and give clear examples and information based on the area by using this online service.
