Google Earth's Real-Time Cloud Cover

Just perusing the Google Earth blog this morning, discovering the real-time cloud cover layer they offer.  In looking for some material associated with Hurricane Sandy, I found when activating Google Earth's "Weather" layer you can view Earth's cloud cover in real-time, which is very handy for tracking hurricane progress.  Students will love seeing this!

Google's Newspaper Archive

Just streaming the news this morning through Google News and stumbled across their "archived articles".  You can search for old newspapers.

I created a search for - world war germany berlin.  My search gave me some decent return.  I found a newspaper from April 2, 1962 talking about conflict in Berlin between East and West Germany and liquidating World War II.

Full Screen

Google allows you to easily scroll or flip through each newspaper page easily, highlighting your search terms.

I also searched for - kennedy president jfk.  From the search return, I found an article from The Harper Herald from Nov 22, 1963, the day JFK was assassinated.

Be sure to check out the Related Articles section for more.

What a great way to involve primary source material with your history topics.  Each article has its own web link.  Post and share them on your Moodle course or website for student access.

Conflict History - Interactive Maps of Wars

Conflict History is an interactive map powered with the use of Google Maps (you know it's gotta be good) that holds a massive collection of information and map locations of the major and minor wars and conflicts through out our earth's history.  The interactive map features a timeline at the bottom, with which you can toggle through a wide range of dates from before 900BC to present day.  When you slide through the timeline, dates will populate in the event box and locations will be displayed on the map.  As you select each event or conflict, all other locations and conflict events associated with it are shown below in the event menu as well as indicated on the map (shown below).

This is a great way to bring some contextual value and understanding to major events and wars that happen through out history.

There's more.  Not only can you view battles and conflicts associated with the major war, but the Information icon provides you with a background about the conflict.  You can also browse conflicts and wars in particular areas by sliding the timeline and clicking on the placemarks shown on the map.  Clicking on a placemark will zoom you in to the location.

Note: Glitch.  There is a bit of a glitch with the resolution of the map at times.  If you find that your map becomes pixelated or blurred, simply zoom out one notch on the zoom slider and zoom back in.  Otherwise, you could refresh your browser.

Also, as with any Google Map, you have satellite, hybrid and terrain viewing options at the top right corner.

I found this map resource from a blog I follow that offers some good material especially for US History in Social Studies - US History Teachers Blog.  Check this out; subscribe to it.

New Bookmarks (weekly)

• iPad - Karen Bosch on Diigo

  tags: ipad resource karenbosch diigolist

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Appsfire - Another great iOS app shopper

appsfire.com offers some great resources for finding iOS apps.  They have their own FREE app, called Appsfire Deals, which shares apps that have recently gone FREE and the top rated FREE apps.  Check it out.