Student-teachers’ use of Google Earth in problem-based geology learning

Abstract

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are adequate for analyzing complex scientific and spatial phenomena in geography education. Google Earth is a geographic information tool for GIS-based learning. It allows students to engage in the lesson, explore the Earth, explain what they identify and evaluate the implications of what they are learning. This paper introduces one example of using Google Earth for problem-based learning processes in teacher education. Student-teachers’ geographical thinking was analyzed during the study process. We have found that although student-teachers have inadequate skills to use information and communication technology, the use of Google Earth improved student-teachers’ geographical thinking skills, even though they still have difficulties in interpreting maps and analyzing geological data.

Keywords:

• Google Earth
• GIS
• PBL
• geographical thinking
• geology