Google Maps and Google Earth can do a lot more than help us get from Point A to Point B. In fact, Google's robust set of online map resources can be used by educators and students to take virtual field trips, learn about how math concepts relate to real-life places and landmarks, illustrate the settings in a novel or other piece of writing and much, much more! 

The image below links to an example map that was created using Google's My Maps feature. After opening it, you will find instructions on how to use the map to solve simple math problems. Students can open this map and and answer the questions on a worksheet or electronic document, such as a Google Doc. They also can make their own copy of it, which will be stored to their Google Drive and answer the questions directly on their own copy of the map.

Want to learn how you can create a map like this? Click HERE to watch an EdTech Live! episode on how to use Google My Maps. This video will cover ideas on how to use Google My Maps in education and how to create these maps using your MPSConnect account. Both teachers and students have access to Google My Maps and Google Earth in Mesa Public Schools. Google Earth also now allows teachers and students to create virtual field trips! Please see this comprehensive 34-minute EdTech Live! episode about how to create virtual field trips using Google Earth.