Chapter 15: Integrating Satellite Imagery and 360-Degree Photo Spheres to Teach: Environmental Science Online for Elementary Students

One would be hard-pressed to find an educator focused on environmental sciences who does not believe the ideal setting for teaching concepts, such as biogeology, is in the field. However, even in traditional educational settings, this setting is often unattainable. With the explosion of satellite imagery and 360-degree photo spheres available, there are opportunities to bring some of the same field pedagogical techniques into virtual learning environments. In this lesson, students will use photo spheres and satellite images to look for evidence of erosion on actual landscapes. The opportunity is not only to allow students to experience environmental settings that they may not otherwise but, more importantly, to allow them to engage in scientific practices authentically with actual landscapes. Through the ability to move through an image, zoom in and out, adjust perspective, and even move to adjacent satellite images and photo spheres, students are able to engage and explore virtually as an active process. Moreover, as opposed to a single static photograph, there is the opportunity for discovery as students move through the virtual landscape.