The History Teacher’s Guide to Virtual Worlds

and Google Earth

David M. Walker

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Chapter 1:

Virtual Worlds and Google Earth

Students today are learning in new and different ways. They are defying previous models

of learning, and are grasping new technologies at a rapid pace. Marc Prensky (2005) argues that

“our students are no longer ‘little versions of us,’ as they may have been in the past. In fact, they

are so different from us that we can no longer use either our 20th century knowledge or our

training as a guide to what is best for them educationally” (p. 9). The educational landscape is

changing, and as a result, it is the duty of educators to follow suit.

Virtual Worlds? Google Earth? For educators who are not as tech-savvy as their students,

what does this all mean? A virtual world is essentially a simulated environment that you connect

through using a computer, where assume an “avatar” and interact with others. The avatar is your

physical appearance in the simulated world. One of the most recognizable of these virtual worlds

is Second Life, launched in 2003.

Google Earth is an offering of Google, Inc., that allows the user to interactively explore

the world. There are a variety of features that the user can utilize. By simply typing in a specific

town or location into the search box, one can see in detail a myriad of buildings, landscapes, and

even people (the faces are usually blurred out!). Google Earth possesses hundreds of educational

uses, many of which will be discussed. And now there is even Google Mars, Sky, and Moon.

For educators who are committed to bringing history alive for their students, as well as

current events and world cultures, the use of virtual worlds and Google Earth in classroom

instruction is a must.

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Chapter 2: How can Virtual Worlds and Google Earth be Integrated in Education?

The idea of using virtual worlds in education may evoke a healthy degree of skepticism

from teachers. However, there are both meaningful and productive ways that will ultimately

result in greater student learning and achievement. Research suggests that “using an online

virtual world such as SL may increase student engagement, particularly for online classes, by

providing opportunities for real-time, (virtual) face-to-face student–faculty and student–student

interaction” (Childress & Braswell, 2006). As a history teacher, its greatest potential lies in

virtual tours. For example, you can visit the Alamo and learn more about its history by clicking

on a variety of objects and informational plaques. Even greater, the virtual Alamo looks exactly

like the real one in San Antonio, inside and out. So if you’re a teacher in the Northeast, for

example, such as myself, and there is no possibility of taking a field trip to Texas – relax, you can

take your class there virtually. A sampling of locations is located in the following chapter.

Google Earth is another valuable tool that is transforming history education as well. Like

Second Life, this program allows teachers to take their students on virtual field trips.

Additionally, this program is of great use in teaching geography and world cultures. For example,

as students are learning about ancient Athens - they can see the Acropolis, learn about its

history, examine the physical characteristics of the area, and see other cultural landmarks that

populate the city. And they can do this all in an interactive environment. Simply put, places

come to life in a way that textbooks cannot.

So here’s your challenge - how do you think you can use Virtual Worlds and Google

Earth in your classroom?

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Chapter 3:

Interesting Places to Visit in Second Life American History

The Alamo Rating: General

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/UTArlington%20III/163/55/23

The Alamo provides the visitor with an intimate look at one of the most crucial

battlegrounds in the war for Texan Independence. When you first arrive, you are greeted with an introductory history of the site, circa 1836. While traveling through the Alamo, the visitor may click on pictures, informational plaques, as well as hundreds of objects to learn more about their historical significance. As you travel from room to room and different areas, information displays on the screen detailing what that area was specifically used for, as well as what occurred there. A definite must-see for educators teaching mid-19th century America!

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Deadwood City Rating: Moderate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Deadwood%20City/100/148/907

Saddle on up Pard’ner! Head on over to Deadwood City if you would like to view a

recreated Wild West city in all its glory! You can shop for vintage fashion of the period for your avatar, or have a seat in a saloon and watch the cowboys passing through. A great way to bring the late 19th century alive in an adventurous way!

The Statue of Liberty Rating: Moderate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Le%20Dome/83/49/68

On October 28, 1886, this beautiful gift from the people of France to the United States began its history of welcoming visitors and immigrants to the country. Now your students can see for themselves what the Statue of Liberty looks like in person! The monument’s articulate structure and architecture is evident to the visitor.

Located on the site is a visitor’s center where one can view pictures of the statue’s reconstruction, as well as other historic photographs.

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Ancient History

The Acropolis Rating: Moderate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/GREECE/49/127/39

Visit the Acropolis and experience life as an Athenian! See the ancient structures that

dominated the Greek city for yourself! As you walk around the site, you can click on certain objects to learn more about its history. For example, one such sign asks the user to click for more information on the history of the Parthenon. As you learn more about these ancient structures, be sure to overlook the beautiful Aegean Sea. You can even use this opportunity to talk about the threat of naval attack that the city of Athens constantly faced throughout its history.

Stonehenge Rating: Moderate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CSW%20Island/77/129/22

If you’re looking to see the ancient majestic structures at Stonehenge, look no further! This prehistoric site is brought to life as you stroll around the gardens and take in the enormity of the ruins for yourself. A must-see for ancient history lovers!

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European History The Sistine Chapel

Rating: General http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vassar/186/90/30

If you are teaching the Renaissance and the artist Michelangelo, this is the place to go!

Second Life’s Sistine Chapel is one of the most interesting sites to visit. The artwork is both vivid and realistic. This is a great way to incorporate virtual tours into your classroom instruction. The visitor can choose to view each of Michelangelo’s frescoes one at a time, or take in the whole experience!

Paris 1900 Rating: Moderate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paris%201900/30/142/24

Explore the beautiful city of Paris, circa 1900. Take a stroll in the city long before the

Great War and the subsequent Second World War. You can even receive a free historic car from the period in which you can travel the city. You can even shop the night away in boutiques selling wares from the period. One of this location’s most impressive features is the intricate architecture located throughout. Overall, this is a great place to experience life as a Parisian at the turn of the 20th century.

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Western Front – 1917 Rating: General

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Frideswide/17/7/21

Experience the Western Front of the First World War! As you enter the site, you can

watch videos detailing the lives of soldiers in the trenches, as well as read original poetry from such poet-soldiers as Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. The conditions of the trenches are made extremely realistic. From the barbed wire to the rats crawling about, this site allows the visitor to fully experience the horrors of trench warfare. You can even listen to the experiences of actual soldiers from the period. “Western Front – 1917” is more than just a historical interpretation, it is a full immersion into the past.

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U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Rating: Moderate

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/US%20Holocaust%20Museum1/1/35/27

The U.S. Holocaust Museum in Second Life is one of the most amazing experiences available in a virtual world. As you walk into the museum, you are greeted with information regarding the current exhibit. You may then click on certain objects to learn more about specific historical figures and events. You can then enter an area where you are immersed in the experience itself. For example, the museum currently has a Kristallnacht exhibit where the visitor can walk the glass-strewn streets, enter the buildings, and examine eyewitness accounts of this horrific event.

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The Houses of Parliament and London

Rating: Moderate http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20City3/149/89/34

The architecture of the Houses of Parliament come alive at this Second Life site! Take a

walk around and view the intricate architecture and the monument to Richard the Lionheart. You can also walk down the modern streets of London and experience the city as it is today!

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Chapter 4:

Interesting Places to Visit in Google Earth

The places pictured below match the Second Life locations earlier discussed. In Google

Earth, the user may see locations in aerial view, or choose to view buildings in 3D, also simulating a virtual world. Additionally, the user often has the option of viewing locations in “Street View,” which is how the site looks in reality. The pictures below are a combination of the three and are appropriately noted.

The Alamo – San Antonio, Texas – 3D

Downtown - Deadwood, South Dakota – Street View

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The Statue of Liberty – New York City, New York – 3D

The Acropolis - Athens, Greece – 3D

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Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England – 3D

The Sistine Chapel – Vatican City, Italy – Street View

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Moulin Rouge – Paris, France – 3D

Ypres Battlefield – Ypres, France – Aerial View

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The U.S. Holocaust Museum – Washington, D.C. – 3D

The Houses of Parliament – London, England – 3D

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Chapter 5:

Recommendations and Sources

The readings listed below will help you learn more about Virtual Worlds and Google Earth:

All images in this book were taken by the author in Second Life and Google Earth. Pictures of book covers On this page are from Amazon.com.

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References

Childress, M. D., & Braswell, R. (2006). Using massively multiplayer online role-playing games for online learning. Distance Education, 27, 187–196.

Prensky, M. (2005). Listen to the Natives. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 8-13.