Google Earth:
Basics and Integration Ideas
Created by: John Phillips
Battle Creek Public Schools

Google Earth Features
http://earth.google.com

Opening Google Earth

The Opening Screen

Be sure to update your GE!

Click on the search bar to enter a
location.

Zoom, tilt, rotate buttons.
Changes when hovered over

Close up on the buttons.
Zoom
Allows you to get the altitude you want.
Tilt
Changes the angle that you are viewing the
Earth from.
Rotate
Spins the view around so you are facing a
specific direction. (N,S,E,W)
Fun trick – Press the letter N anytime while in GE
to return the rotation to North.

Search Bar
• Used for “flying”
around Google
Earth.
• Used to find any
address, or
business.
• This is also where
you can get
directions.

Type in Detroit
In the search box, type in “Detroit, MI” and
press the magnifying glass.
Use the buttons to navigate Detroit.

Places Section
• This section is
where you manage
all of your stored
locations.

Places Section (cont.)
• When you
click the box
next to the
place, it turns
on the marker
for that
location.

Grand Canyon
• Click on the Grand Canyon link on the left-
hand side of the screen, under the
“places” tab.

Gotta love the view!

Measuring using GE.
• There is a ruler tool built in to GE. You
can click on the ruler icon to utilize this
tool.

Measuring using GE (Cont.)

Inserting a placemark.
To insert a placemark:
Click on the pushpin icon.
Move the pin where you
want the placemark.
Change the icon if you
would like.
Name the placemark.

Sample KMZ Files
• You can make tours in Google Earth!
• You can save your placemarks, and
distribute them easily to other Google
Earth users.
• Right-click on the placemark, or
folder, and click Save.

Easter Eggs
• Airplane Mode
– Hit Ctrl+Alt+A, and a screen will open up
offering airplane mode. The controls for the
plane can be found on Google’s website.
• “Meliza” on Mars
– Click on the planet icon on the toolbar, and
then select Mars.
– When you get to Mars, type “Meliza” into the
search bar.