Digital Cartography

Geography and Culture Across the

Curriculum

Presented by Patrick Woessner

How Well Do We Know Our
World?
 Only thirty-seven
percent of young
Americans can find Iraq on a
map—though U.S. troops
have been there since 2003.
 Forty-seven percent
could not find the Indian
subcontinent on a map of
Asia.
 Seventy-five percent
were unable to locate Israel
on a map of the Middle East.
 Twenty percent of young
Americans think Sudan is in
Asia. (It's the largest
country in Africa.)
 Fifty percent of 18-24 year
old Americans can't find
Source: 2006 National Geographic-Roper Survey
New York on a map.
Image Source: The Onion
How Well Do We Know Our
World?
 Fewer than thirty percent
think it important to know the
locations of countries in the
news and just fourteen
percent believe speaking
another language is a
necessary skill.
 Nearly three-quarters
incorrectly named English as
the most widely spoken native
language.
 Forty-eight percent of young
 Americans
Six in ten believe
did not the
knowmajority
the border between North and
population
South Korea inisIndia is Muslim.
the most heavily fortified in the world.
(It's Hindu—by a landslide.)

Source: 2006 National Geographic-Roper Survey

Image Source: National Geographic News
Geography, Culture, and
Literacy
Intercultural literacy is essential
today
A Geographic Perspective
Any discipline can be approached
from a geographic perspective:
◦ Math concepts and explorations
◦ Scientific data and discoveries
◦ Literature tours and trips
◦ Historical places and maps
◦ Language and culture
◦ Art and music
Google Maps: Overview
Google Maps provide an easy
entry point to digital cartography
Google Maps: Viewing
Content
There are several viewing options
in Google Maps
Google Maps: Browse
Content
Map content can be added via
the directory
Google Maps: Creating
Content
With a Google Account, you can
create custom maps using My
Maps
Map placemarks can contain
text, images, and video
Use “Rich Text” for images; HTML
for video
You can invite collaborators and
share your mail via email or
embed
Google Earth: Overview
Google Earth brings a 3D
perspective to digital cartography
Google Earth User
Interface
Google Earth Toolbar
Click toolbar buttons to…

For more information, see the Google Earth User Guide

Viewing Content:
Search, Places, and Layers
Search: Fly To,
Find Businesses,
and Directions
Places: My
Places, Temporary
Places, and Add
Content
Layers: Primary
Database
Viewing Content:
Historical Layers
Viewing Content:
Earth, Sky, Ocean, and Mars
The View
button can
toggle between
Earth, Sky, and
Mars
Like earth, the
Sky and Mars
can be
searched
The Earth’s
Creating Content:
Placemarks
A Placemark (pin) can contain
text, images, video, and audio
Content is formatted using HTML
You can learn HTML (tedious) or
use an HTLM editor (easy)
◦ Online HTML Editor
◦ NVU
Templates are also available
Creating Content:
Polygons and Paths
Polygons and paths can be
geometric or free-form
Polygons can be 2D or 3D
Creating Content:
Tours
Placemarks can be assembled
into tours that include audio
commentary
Assorted Features and
Tips
Views can be saved
as images
◦ File  Save  Save
Image
Snapshot View
determines precise
display of your
placemark
◦ View
The  Snapshop
Ruler can measure lines and paths
View
Places/tours can be saved as KMZ files
and share via email or upload to the
web
Additional Google Earth/
Google Maps Resources
Google Earth Community
Google Earth Blog
Digital Geography
Real World Math Using Google Earth
Google Lit Trips
Google Almanac
Delicious google_earth Tag
Additional Tools
GeoCommons: create interactive
maps with geographic data
Gapminder: maps and charts of
statistical data; can create own
map using the Motion Chart
gadget
WorldMapper: collection of maps
with data that can be exported
Addition Information
More information on this topic
and presentation can be found at:
http://pwoessner.wikispaces.com/Di
Questions or comments?
◦ Email me at pwoessner@micds.org
◦ Twitter: @pcwoessner
◦ Blog: http://pwoessner.com