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For Educators

Google Earth - Getting Started

Google Earth is as easy to use as it is cool. Here's how you get started:

  1. Download and install the latest version of Google Earth from http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

    2. How do I install Google Earth?

    Make sure you first download Google Earth. Once the download process has been completed, you should automatically be able to open the software and begin using Google Earth.

    If you experience issues installing Google Earth through the Google Updater, you can download the latest version of Google Earth directly from this link.

  2. Get familiar with the Google Earth interface. Make sure you browse through the many interesting layers included with Google Earth.
  3. Learn how to use the navigation controls.
  4. Watch the Google Earth tour.
  5. See Google Earth in action.
  6. Check out the education gallery for ideas for using Google Earth in the classroom.
  7. Ready to create your own content?

    8. The easiest way to create your own content for the first time, is to use the Google Earth Outreach group's Spreadsheet Mapper 2.0.  You simply enter data in an on-line spreadsheet to generate a set of placemarks in Google Earth and Maps. Google Docs' web-based, collaborative editing allows your team members to simultaneously enter data and instantly publish updates.

    Watch this quick video to help you get started.

  8. Get started creating KML with some simple tutorials that use educational examples. Once you've gotten your feet wet, you can dive in to explore the full potential of KML and Google Earth in the Google Earth User Guide and the KML Reference.

10 Cool and Easy Things You Can Do in Google Earth

Want to jump in and start having fun with Google Earth? Try any of the the following:

  1. View an image of your school, home, or any place on Earth - Click Fly To. Enter the location in the input box and click the Search button. In the search results (Places panel), double click the location. Google Earth flies you to this location.
    Search button Search button
  2. Go on a tour of the world - In the Places panel, check the Sightseeing folder and click the Play Tour button:
    Play Tour button
  3. Get driving directions from one place to another and fly (follow) the route - See Getting Directions and Touring the Route.

  4. View other cool locations and features created by other Google Earth users - In the Layers panel, check Community Showcase under Google Earth Community. Interesting placemarks and other features appear in the 3D viewer. Double click these points of interest to view and explore.

  5. View 3D terrain of a place - This is more fun with hilly or mountainous terrain, such as the Grand Canyon. Go to a location (see number 1). When the view shows the location, use the zoom slider to tilt the terrain.

  6. View 3D buildings - This works best in a big city, such as San Francisco or New York. Travel to a city (see number 1). In the Layers panel, select 3D Buildings. Watch the buildings appear.

  7. View Weather Information - Google Earth contains an entire layer of up-to-date weather information. You can view the current weather conditions for your school's neighborhood. To view weather activity, go to a location (for example, enter your school's address). In the Layers panel, select Weather. You can see the clouds, radar, conditions and forecasts, and additional weather information.

  8. View Sky - Teaching your students about the solar system? Use Sky to assist you. When you're viewing Earth, you can switch to Sky at any time. Just click  View > Switch to Sky or click Sky button. In Sky, the Earth is hidden and the 3D viewer presents a view of the sky.

    9. Sky is much like a interactive planetarium on your computer. You can see brilliant, detailed imagery of celestial objects millions of light years away. For example, the Crab Nebula appears here in the 3D viewer. You can also view stars, constellations, galaxies, planets and the Earth's moon.

  9. View Volcanoes and Earthquake faults - Whether your class is studing the world's  volcanoes or earthquakes, you can see them by turning on these layers in Google Earth. To see volcanoes, in the Layers panel, select Volcanoes under Gallery. To view earthquake faults, in the Layers panel, select Places of Interest, Geographic Features, and then Eathquakes.

  10. View Historical Maps - Google Earth includes an amazing collection of historical maps from the David Rumsey Collection. To view these incredible maps, in the Layers panel, select Rumsey Historical Maps under Gallery.