Tuesday, January 13, 2009

3-D Virtual Field Trips

Did you ever think that you could take a virtual field trip to ancient Rome circa 320 A.D.? Well now you can with a little help from Google. Yes I said Google.

Google Earth has recreated a new three-dimensional representation of Rome around 320 A.D.

They have recreated nearly 7000 individual structures from the city including the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum. It really makes you feel as if you were there. You have the feeling of being a citizen of Rome as you travel through the streets to the Markets and the Forums, and up to the Palace.

With the updated version of Google Earth you can access this new package from the Gallery Layer. You get to tour the buildings and also learn about the lives of the people of Rome. The program offers the visitor pop up material about the buildings, maps and aerial imagery of the city.

The "Ancient Rome 3-D" concept and design is based from a simulation created by an international team of designers which was led by the University of Virginia, and the University of California.

Well here is something else to think about not only is this pretty cool but Google is also holding Curriculum Contest around the "Ancient Rome 3-D" Google Earth layer. They are taking in curriculum submissions from K-12 so no one gets left out. Oh and I almost forgot about the Prizes. Yes, you know that there cannot be a contest without prizes.
Here is a list of the prizes.

Apple MacBook laptop
Digital classroom projector
Digital camera
3D Navigation mouse
$500 in gift cards to Target or Office Depot
Engraved Google "Top Educator" plaque

The deadline is February 9th so go take a look at the Ancient Rome 3D Curriculum Competition.

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