Their use is still limited to an iconic vision of the world. There is no real interaction. But this tool allow another perception of the world and gives the world another dimension.

As I mentioned in my last post I find Google Earth and Geoportal interesting tools to use in a LOTE classroom. When we teach the Italian language teachers also mentioned the ancient Rome. It can be interesting to show them how the Roman patrimony is still present; most of the Italian cities are constructed on ancient cities. With a vision from above students can easily see the cardo and Decumanus and have a better understanding of the importance of this patrimony.

Because teaching languages is not only about languages Google Earth and other Geoprotals facilitate the integration of cultural and geographical points. Paradoxically, these tools do make the experience of learning a new culture and a new languages more real.

The crossed geographical aspect of the city of Turin based onto the antic city of Augusta Taurinorum. Google Earth Image, 02/11/2008.

(1)Sylvain Genevois is a French geograph writing articles for the journal M@appemonde sustained by the National Centre of the Scientific Research (France).

I went to have a look at Chris’ blog and I listen to his last podcast. A year 5 class was speaking to someone in Antarctica via Skype. It was some how incredible. But what interested the most in his post is that he used Google Earth to find someone in Antarctica with whom he could start a conversation.

I then, had a look at Google Earth and again I found a fantastic tool many teachers in diverse KLAs could use.

For a LOTE teacher it is fantastic, we can locate places we are speaking about, give our students a more precise idea of how people live in France. Many times I heard that all French live in flats. For example we could ask students to locate a specific city and ask them to list different types of habitations or ask them to list different types of landscapes. Students can interact with the geographical aspect of the country. Especially for students who are living so far from other countries it is such an interesting tool to use. The most touristic places have cultural points about food or habits or geographical wonders.

I am again vey enthusiastic and really the list of new technologies, online tools and other media a teacher can use in his or her KLA seems endless.