Google Lit Trip

I was really impressed by the small article by Edutopia's Suzie Boss, “New York Children Take a Google Lit Trip”. I have always been encouraged to work together with other teachers so that the content can be delivered to the students in a cohesive manner. Ms. Brusca demonstrated this by conferring with her fellow teacher regarding the literature they would be studying next. Upon hearing about the Google Lit Trip, a website that combines Google Earth and literature study in an interactive way for students, she could have just used any book to “test” it with. By combining forces, she was able to transform the book into an inspirational instrument that moved the children to become involved with a soup kitchen in Long Island. What I appreciate about websites like Google Lit Trip is the ability to make a place that is halfway around the world seems as if it was just next door. When I have my own class, one of my goals is to make my students aware that there is a huge world out there and that they are a part of a global community which they may not see or feel connected to. . Technology allows for many children and adults to see the suffering of others who live far away and make it real for them so that they are moved to take action. My job will be to instill responsibility for helping those that are less fortunate, helping the earth and teaching them to find out what is going on around the world via the internet, newspapers and books. I see technology as my partner in accomplishing this goal.