Panoramio

[|www.panoramio.com]

**Introduction** Panoramio.com is a geolocation-oriented photo sharing website. When pictures are uploaded and added (usually at the end of the month), they become a part of Google Maps and Google Earth. Panoramio got started in 2005 by two young Spanish men, Joaquín Cuenca Abela and Eduardo Manchón Aguilar. By 2007, 5 million pictures had been uploaded and Google acquired possession.

**Using Panoramio in the Classroom** This tool can work wonders for students of rural impoverished school districts. Unfortunately, these students usually don't have the means to travel and see the country. This is one way to bring the country to them and give them a chance at making connections between the material being taught and themselves.
 * 1.** The most obvious way is in a Social Studies class. ﻿Use the pictures to add to the region being studied, whether it's an elementary Missouri history class or a lesson on communist China.
 * 2.** Another good idea would be to use such pictures in a foreign language class. These pictures would allow the students to see where and how the people of that language live.
 * 3.** Next is using this tool to look at certain types of landforms. Mountains, volcanoes, prairie, farmland, underwater environments, and many more are taught discussed in classrooms every year. Pictures can help create some connections.
 * 4.** Music appreciation can be enhanced by pictures of the country while the music is being played. Can you imagine hearing the African drums as you see pictures of the land and its people?
 * 5.** Don't forget writing exercises. Bring up a picture, but don't reveal the location or any other information. See what the students can predict. What type of life do these people live? What resources do the people of this area probably have by looking at the land? How does this picture compare/contrast the literature we just read?
 * 6.** These pictures could become the subject of an art or computer class. The students could receive some guidlines, select a picture and then recreate it in watercolors, acrylic, chalk, a computer program or any other form possible.
 * 7.** Wouldn't this be a great way to introduce yourself at the beginning of the year, Teacher? If you are lucky enough to enjoy a great vacation the summer before, upload your photos and show the kids how easy it is to use Panoramio as an introduction of yourself.

**Panoramio can be used in any classroom, with any subject!** [] Robert
 * Tutorial for Uploading Your Pictures: Warning!** This man's voice is extremely annoying, but it does the job.
 * Tutorial for Uploading Your Pictures: Warning!** This man's voice is extremely annoying, but it does the job.
 * Wow, with a little bit of work I can see how you could conduct a virtual field trip to any place in the world!!**
 * Wow, with a little bit of work I can see how you could conduct a virtual field trip to any place in the world!!**