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.

Google Maps Measuring Tools - Great for Math (..and History and English Language Arts)

Today through Richard Byrne I discovered some new cool features with Google Maps.  Now, I'm sure most of you are utilizing your Google Earth application all the time when referring to a geographical location ;0).  However, Google Maps is also a great tool for maps.  Since you already are using your laptop top device as your main teacher tool, you can have Google Maps bookmarked and ready to go when your ready to display a map or two that refers to you current content or topic (in what ever subject you are in).

Here's what's new with Google Maps:

Google maps has measuring tools (great for Math, History, English Language Arts).  You have to activate this feature in Google Maps.  Locate Maps Labs at the bottom of the Google Maps site, as indicated in the image below.  From there you can activate or deactivate some extra features that Maps has to offer.  One of them is the Measuring Tool.

Once you click on the "ruler" icon (image below), you will have a drop-down menu of measurements to choose from.

The Google Maps Measuring Tools now offers over 50 unique measuring units from American Football Field to Egyptian Royal Cubit.  This is a great way to use measuring in a unique and fun way; and depending on the subject can put a better understanding on distance throughout history or historical literature.  For more info from Richard Byrne go to Free Technology for Teachers: Getting Geeky With Google Maps Measurements:

'via Blog this'

National Geographic Education (Beta)

New to National Geographic, is National Geographic Education.  It is only in its testing grounds, however does provide some rather useful resources from video to map making.

I love the map makers.  You can select from a wide variety of maps.  The map makers have a drawing/marker collections that allows you to draw and annotate on top of the map for better featuring and direction for you students and them print them off.  You can also add your own labels.  Not only can you print the maps, but you receive the specific web link to your personalized annotated map that students can link to from your Moodle course.

There is also a small-scale GIS interactive map, allowing a small amount of layer in which students can add.  Great for students 3rd grade to 6th grade.

As we all know the National Geographic is well known for its quality resources and products.  Check it out.  Click on the NG logo below.

Firefox Add-on Feature - Readability

Readability.com is a powerful tool that pulls online news articles and cleans them up.  In other words, gets rid of any other content on that web page - i.e. advertisements, other headlines, comment posts, or links - and displays a "clean" article with any images that pertain to it.  Readability.com, also, allows you to print, share on social networks, and customize appearance.  You, now, have the ability to save your chosen articles as PDF, add annotations for your students; or have your students add annotations.  The document below covers more detail.

This Add-on tool will be embedded right into your Firefox browser for easy use.  No Admin needed.

The document is very easy to read and user-friendly.  I have the web link in the document, however simply go to readability.com

Open publication - Free publishing - More add-on