Journal 9: “Scribble Maps Helps Students Visualize Their World” NETS-T 3

Hill, W. (2010). Scribble maps helps students visualize their world. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(3), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november.aspx

SUMMARY:
The author describes how much she loves geography. When she went to school, she was given handouts to color maps. However, there are many web-based tools to make learning geography more fun and exciting. For example, Scribble Maps is a free online application that allows students to make and share their maps. Educators have used Scribble Maps for students to do a state geography project. For example, a fourth grade student used this application for her class where she was able to plot the climate, industry, population, landmarks and landforms on the city she researched. Also, in Scribble Maps you can embed or copy a URL to add photos to make your map more detailed and visually pleasing. In addition, Scribble Maps was used in a fifth grade biome project. In this project students researched four biomes connected to four U.S. national parks. They had to describe the plants, climate and types of animals in each biome.

QUESTION 1: Is Scribble Maps easily accessible for students?

ANSWER: The great thing about scribble maps is that you don’t need a login to create a map. Once you have created your map you just have to save it as a JPEG or Google Maps file to retrieve it. If students do not have computer access at home, they can use the schools computer lab or make arrangements with teacher to come in early or stay later to use classroom computer.

QUESTION 2: How can the use of Scribble Maps be beneficial for students in the future?

ANSWER: For educators to use Scribble Maps in their curriculum will teach students to research, analyze and compare data, create a very detailed map, present and share it with others. This type of free technology application will allow students to have in-depth knowledge about all aspects of geography. They will understand the different types of climates at certain locations, animals and plants in a particalur place, they will be able to answer why there are fewer cities and be able to locate a variety of landmarks. So Scribble Maps is a powerful learning tool to use outside of school and in our own communities.