This document discusses how technology resources like blogs, podcasts, websites and videos can be integrated into teaching United States geography. It provides examples of four types of online resources: a blog by foreigners about US landmarks, podcasts of walking tours of Boston and DC, a YouTube video about state cultures, and a YouTube video on physical geography. The document also lists several websites with maps, images and games about US geography as well as tools for creating teaching materials and collaborating with other teachers online.

2. RATIONALE FOR TECHNOLOGY
• Many times when people think of
United States Geography they
only think of maps, states, and
capitals. Yet there is much more
than that. With the use of
technology the country can be
closer than ever with students
being able to learn about different
cities, regions, landmarks, and
cultures that all live within our one
country.
• This presentation will show how
technology such as
blogs, podcasts, websites, and
videos can be integrated into a
teaching a topic on United States
Geography.

3. •
•
•
The following 4 slides will give
examples of resources that
can be found on the internet to
exhibit cultural, physical, and
regional differences in
America’s geography
All websites used in this
presentation have been proven
reliable, beneficial, and
informative about teaching and
learning about US Geography.
Clicking on images will
activate the hyperlink, starting
the videos or bringing you to
the original website.

4. BLOG ABOUT U.S. GEOGRAPHY
• Around the States in 89 Days is a blog by two Austrian
men, Thomas Pasterk and his best friend Richard, and
their road trip across the United States. The blog gives a
foreigner’s view of the geography of the United States
and covers multiple American landmarks such as the
Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls.
• The blog can be used to show students the major
landmarks in America as well as regional geographical,
cultural, and social differences noted by the authors

5. PODCAST ABOUT U.S. GEOGRAPHY
• These podcasts are walking tours of Boston and
Washington D.C., two of the most historic cities in
America.
• They discuss key areas of the city that students should
learn about when learning about the city and state.
• Teachers can play certain podcasts for the students when
discussing that specific state in class or have students
listen to their preferred podcast at home to learn about
what interests them the most about the city.
• Boston
• Washington D.C.

6. YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT THE STATE’S CULTURE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyYy7dmAnM8
• This video can be used to show students that there is something
unique and interesting about each and every state and that
state’s culture.
• This video also integrates a popular young adult author, John
Green, into the lesson to connect with students even more.

7. YOUTUBE VIDEO ABOUT THE PHYSICAL
GEOGRAPHY OF AMERICA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djt4trIlDjM
• This YouTube video goes over the physical
geographical aspects that can be found
within America.

8. • The internet has a ton
of information about
the physical and
culture identity of
America and the
states.
• Each state has their
own website with
information about
working, living, and
visiting the state.

9. INTERNET RESOURCES PAGE 1
•
Nations Online
• Nations Online has information on each state
as well as it has links to each state’s website
all in one place (click hyperlink to go to
website)
• National Geographic
• National Geographic has libraries of images
of the United States landmarks and cities
including physical and cultural geographic
images (students will have to make a free
account to access photos/click hyperlink to
go to website)

10. INTERNET SOURCES PAGE 2
• Sheppard Software
• Sheppard Software is a website with multiple
games at multiple difficulties, all about U.S.
Geography. (click hyperlink to go to site)

11. INSPIRATION DESIGN
• Inspiration can be used to create compare and contrast
charts such as this one I’ve created to allow students to
place regions side by side to compare their similarities
and differences

12. TEACHING MATERIAL PAGE 1
• Teaching material such as worksheets, word
searches, and quizzes can be made at the website
www.havefunteaching.com
• This is a word search I created of the names of the
Northwest states of America using Have Fun
Teaching :

13. TEACHING MATERIAL PAGE 2
• Another site which has good material for
teachers is Smart Exchange which allows for
teachers to download lessons and resources to
be used on the Smart board.
• C. Austin created a 50 States interactive
Smart board game where students drag and
drop states into their proper spaces.

14. TEACHING MATERIAL PAGE 3
• Another website which has useful material for
teachers is Info Please
• Info Please has worksheets, quizzes, and
trivia ready to go for teachers to use, or
even to sharpen their own skills.
• There are a bunch of material which pertains
to U.S. Geography

15. SUBJECT SPECIFIC RESOURCE
• National Geographic Education is a subject
specific resource I would use to teach my topic
of geography.
• I would use the website by using the
different teaching resources like the AP
Human Geography portal.

16. USES OF THE INTERNET
• Websites which could be used to help back up
my topic include:
• http://www.ushistory.org/us/ - General
information on U.S. History including the
expansion of the country.
• http://americanhistory.si.edu/ - The National
Museum of American History has
collections on almost anything in American
history including cultural exhibits such as
America on the Move.

17. WEB 2.0
• Websites that allow for teachers to collaborate
include:
• https://www.dropbox.com/ -allows for teachers to
put their work in an online cloud which can be
accessed by whomever they choose
• http://www.slideshare.net/ -allows for teachers to
post presentations online and