Decades ago, students made use of printed maps for their classroom learning.

With the advent of technology, students of the modern days have replaced these printed graphs with a high tech alternative.

Instead of bringing a folded piece of map with them to school, all they need are their mobile devices.
Mobile applications such as Google Maps readily provide students with all the geographical information that they need, whether it be local, regional, national or even global.

What’s more is that these applications do not simply provide a continental view of the world, they provide street view perspectives, which are certainly more interactive.
With all these features, these applications make classroom learning more interesting for students.

In the recent years, teachers have turned to these applications to augment their teaching.

If you are looking into using such in your class, then this article will show 10 ways to use Google Maps in the classroom.

Read on and find out how you can transform your boring lessons into interesting ones:

1. Easy Reference

Google Maps provide an accessible reference any time you need geographical information. With just a few clicks, students can easily access any type of map that they need.

2. Longitude and Latitude Games

Apparently, maps can be fun too and you can play some games with them!

Looking back to your geography class, you are most likely familiar with longitude and latitude games. You can use Google Maps to make it more exciting and accurate.

You can play longitude and latitude games by doing a sort of “scavenger hunt.”

By describing a location through its longitude and latitude values, students can compete with each other by determining what location is being referred to.

3. Earth Picker

Earth Picker is one of Google Maps’ exciting features that will increase the students’ knowledge regarding geography.

With this feature, you can create a contest and have students enjoy while learning.

4. Google Sightseeing

Google Sightseeing is another feature of Google Maps that showcases the most spectacular places on earth.

This feature increases a sense of awareness and appreciation in students while they learn about geography.

5. My Maps

My Maps allows its users to create their own maps.

With this Google Maps feature, students can explore the depths of their creativity and make their own geographical graphs.

This can also be used as an evaluation if the students were truly able to gain substantial geographical knowledge.

6. Smarty Pins

Smarty Pins is a game created by Google in relation to its Google Maps application.

Basically, it quizzes students about a variety of topics ranging from arts to current events. This can be used to have a classroom trivia.

7. Video Tour Creation

With Google Maps, users can attach videos to a certain location.

With this feature, students can create a video tour, which makes geographical learning more informative and interesting.

8. Community Maps Creation

Students can now make maps of their own communities using My Maps.

This activity will test the students’ knowledge of local geography and this will also promote a sense of belonging to their respective locales.

9. Distance and Area Measurement

With Google Maps, students can easily measure a location’s distance and area.

With just a few clicks, they can conveniently access these values that are vital for learning, most especially in subjects such as Mathematics and Geography.

10. 3D Representation

My Maps also allows users to view maps in a three dimensional perspective. This gives students more accurate geographical information while entertaining them as well.