Media Matters

Take a Roman holiday–a Roman Empire holiday!  I got an email from Googler AnnaBishop.  She processes the Google Earth Pro requests from educators and wants them to keep on coming!  So take advantage of that special offer by emailing GEEC@google.com (educators only!  Everybody else pays the $400). She also let me know about the new layer in Google Earth–Ancient Rome in 3D. Any participant in DEN Google Earth workshops knows, we talk lots about layers, the content already created for you, in addition to, of course, talking about building your own content with students.  (Discovery has a layer or two.)  This is a new one, so take it for a spin.  In Google Earth, under Layers in Gallery, select Ancient Rome 3D.  Bring a toga. There is also a curriculum competition (”When in Rome, Teach!”) for all grade levels and K-12 subject areas.  Prizes include Apple MacBook laptop, Digital classroom projector, Digital camera, 3D Navigation mouse, $500 in gift cards to Target or Office Depot, and an engraved plaque.
Engraved Google “Top Educator” plaque.  Deadline, just before the Ides of February.  My own suggestion: Make a Placemark with video in the description box–a video of you or your students in Roman garb, reciting Latin, holding olives, etc., poke it right into Ancient Rome, save it as kmz file and send it in. The description box plays Flash files (how to) , so use Jing (free) to make a video of yourself or students with your webcam, save it as flash, and embed it into the box.  Note:  The kmz file won’t carry the flash file with it, so post it online (TeacherTube, YouTube) and embed the code (how to) or send that file along.  More on exactly how to do that in the next post! More.

More info and a trip to Rome: