GoogleMaps

== = = = = =media type="youtube" key="pq7UA_Y5bsI" height="364" width="445"= = = Google Maps and Google Earth include a host of possibilities for users including finding locations around the world, creating driving directions, observing street views and the creation of your own customized maps. The ability to create personalized maps with descriptive text, links, video, images and other [|mashups] for educational uses is enormous. The steps below will assist you in creating personalized maps in Google Maps that are viewable in Google Earth. Directions for creating personalized maps in Google Earth will follow.

=Classroom Connections:= [|Using Google Maps In Education]- Collects a number of Google Map examples and ideas for the classroom [|CHS Tech News] - Great links to Google Map examples and ideas for the classroom [|Google Maps Mania] - A terrific blog filled with wide ranging ideas for using Google maps [|100 Things To Do With Google Maps] [|User Guide] - Official Google Maps user guide
 * Google Maps:**

[|Google Lit Trips] - A fantastic resource for finding literature related Google Earth maps [|Duke Center for Instructional Technology] - College level projects with possible connections to a K-12 environment [|Google Earth Education Community] - Examples and ideas listed by discipline [|Google Earth Blog]
 * Google Earth:**

=**Steps for Creating Personalized Maps in Google Maps:**=


 * Creating An Account**
 * Google Maps does not require the downloading of any software to your computer
 * Open up a new tab or window
 * Go to http://maps.google.com/
 * Click on //Sign In//
 * If you already have a Google Account login
 * If you do not have a Google account create one here - https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount
 * The screen you see after logging in will show a map to the right, along with links for //Get Directions// and //My Maps// on the left


 * Manipulating The Map**
 * Before you add anything to your map you will need to be comfortable with the navigation tools in the site


 * The //map, satellite and terrain// features located on the map provide you with three different views
 * Under //more// you will see check mark boxes for additional tools including Wikipedia, photos, video and transit information
 * When one or all of the //more// items are checked you will see the related information on your map
 * The information may be helpful or distracting depending on your needs
 * On the top left of the map you will see a circular navigation instrument with four directional arrows
 * Clicking and releasing each arrow will guide you through the map
 * Holding down the left mouse key also allows users to move through the map
 * The navigation tool directly below the direction circle is the //zoom in// (+) and //zoom out// (-) feature
 * Use the //zoom in// tool to gain a better view of details
 * The //zoom out// tool provides a view of larger areas
 * Double clicking the left mouse button will zoom in, however, only the //zoom out// function will allow users a wider perspective of their map
 * The person icon connected to the //zoom// feature allows users to see the //street view//[[image:3.JPG align="center"]]
 * To find a specific location type an address or area into the search box located next to the //search maps// button on the top of the page
 * After clicking search you will see applicable addresses to choose from
 * Conduct an address search and leave your map on the location


 * Creating A Map**


 * Click on the //My Maps// link located towards the top left of the page
 * Click on the //Create New Map// link located beneath the //My Maps// link
 * A new map titled //Untitled// will appear along with a box below for your //title// and //description//
 * Fill in the //title// and //description// information based on topic and breadth of subject
 * Information detailing specific points on the map will be added later
 * Below the //title// and //description// area you will see options for //public// and //unlisted//
 * //Public// and //unlisted// options can be changed at any time


 * Adding A Place Mark To Your Map**




 * IMPORTANT: You must be in edit mode to make any additions or changes to your place marks
 * When you create a map Google Maps will automatically switch to edit mode
 * You will see done and saved buttons to the right of the title box
 * Click done and press edit again to follow the steps below
 * We will use the location you found earlier as a //place mark//
 * To add //place marks// to your map hover over the blue item in the top left of your map that looks like a balloon
 * Before you click on the //place mark// make sure you have an idea of where you want it
 * Left click on the place mark once and release
 * Guide the place mark to your desired location and left click again to release it
 * The place mark can be moved at any time by left clicking it
 * A dialogue box will appear with a //title// and //description// area
 * The information for each place mark box should be specific to the place you are describing
 * The icon can be changed by clicking on the icon link located next to the title
 * First, add a title
 * If you only want text in your description type in your words and click //ok//
 * When you click on the place mark you will see your entry
 * Place marks can be deleted by clicking the //delete// button on the bottom left of the viewing screen
 * To add other content follow the directions below


 * Adding Lines and Shapes To Your Map**


 * Google Maps also allows users to create lines and shapes as a place mark
 * To create a line or shape click on the //draw a line// or //draw a shape// features located to the right of the place mark button
 * Click on the applicable button once
 * Guide the cursor to your starting point and left click once
 * Guide the cursor to another point and left click
 * When you are done creating points double left click on the last spot you need and a title and description window will appear
 * To add content follow the adding a place mark directions in the step above


 * Adding Interactive Content (Links, Video and YouTube)**
 * ======**IMPORTANT**: Some of the items listed below require users to click //saved/done// in the my maps section before they are viewable======
 * Left click on the place mark you created in the step above to create...
 * **Links to an** **external site**
 * 1) Your link can originate from a single word, image or other object in your place mark
 * 2) Click on //rich text//
 * 3) Type a word or sentence
 * 4) Highlight a word in your sentence
 * 5) Click on the link button located to the left of the bulleted list
 * 6) When the link box appears type in the desired web address
 * 7) Once you click //ok// in the place mark box and //saved/done// in the my maps area your link will be live
 * **Inserting Images**
 * 1) Images can only be inserted using a direct web address from sites such as Google Images, Flickr, etc.
 * 2) In Google Images locate a picture, making sure to click on //see full size image//
 * 3) Copy the images web address
 * 4) Under //rich text// click on the //insert image// icon located to the far right of the task bar
 * 5) Paste the web address
 * 6) You will see your image in the description
 * **Inserting Video From Youtube**
 * 1) Locate a video in Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/)
 * 2) Completely copy the embed code located to the right of the video
 * 3) WARNING: Copying the URL code above the embed code will not work in Google Maps
 * 1) Click on edit HTML in Google Maps
 * 2) Unless you are familiar with HTML add the embed code to the very bottom of the place mark making sure not to write over any of the existing script
 * 3) Once you click //ok// in the place mark box and //saved/done// in the my maps area your video will be live


 * Creating Additional Maps**


 * Click on //create new map//
 * Follow the steps above under //Creating A Map//


 * Editing, Viewing and Sharing Your Maps**


 * Multiple users can edit and create maps under the same login
 * Make sure only one user is editing a single place mark at once
 * Multiple maps can be viewed at once by clicking on the box to the left of the map title
 * To remove a map click on the X box to the right of the map title
 * Edits to individual maps can be done at any time by clicking on the map title and pressing the edit button below the //my maps// display
 * To the left of the edit button there is a collaborate feature that allows you to invite others to view and/or edit your maps


 * Viewing Google Maps in Google Earth**


 * If you have not downloaded Google Earth you will need to download Google Earth 5 here (http://earth.google.com/)
 * In Google Maps, click the //View In Google Earth// link located above the map of the world
 * Google Earth will open automatically since you already downloaded the application
 * Your Google Maps will now appear in Google Earth under the //Places// tab
 * For more Google Earth user information go to this tutorial