Google Maps and Week #8 Reflection

I am in LOVE with the new Google Maps and I can't wait to use this with my class next year!  We teach Michigan geography as our first social studies unit in 3rd grade.  As part of the unit, students have to learn and memorize the Great Lakes Region along with key points in Michigan.  Each year we have the students make a map as a way to practice their thinking.  However, the new Google Maps project will allow them to create an electronic version instead.  I can just imagine my students adding pictures of the different places, adding details beyond the required places, and even adding in specific boundaries for the states and region borders.

As an example for the basics of the region maps requirements, I designed a sample map:




Chapter 18 Reflection:
The two noteworthy ways that I found related to education were the "subject-matter experts" along with the "technology-based training delivery".  Our district relies on the teacher staff to be subject-matter experts, and use these "experts" to create SAC's (or subject area committee's).  These SAC's are used to analyze curriculum and assessments, design new materials, purchase appropriate items, etc.  all based off one subject area and one grade level.  These subject-matter experts, like in business areas, must be available to educators when releasing a new curriculum - similar to how they must be available in business's because it is "critical to the project".

The education world also relies on "technology-based training delivery", similar to the business world.    A perfect example of this is the 21 Things for the 21st Century Educator project that runs throughout the state of MI.  The district I belong to (Oakland County) runs this program entirely online, while providing the much-needed professional development hours that teachers need to renew their certifications.  The program allows teachers to be involved in "collaborative activities" along with conducting a "self-study" that allows us to be flexible within our own classroom activities, personal lives, etc.  Technology-based training is a widely used concept amongst educators, in and out of the classroom.