BP7_2009112_Web 2.0 #1

Panoramio

 

Panoramio is a geolocation-oriented photo sharing website.  The site's goal is to allow Google Earth users to learn more about a given area by viewing the photos that other users have taken at that place.  Two Spanish entrepreneurs created this site in October of 2005 and by 2007, it had archived over one million photos submitted by users (Panoramio Blog).   

 

This Web 2.0 tool would be so much fun to use in the classroom.  While I was looking at pictures from Japan, Spain, and Hawaii, all I could think about was, what a cool virtual field trip.  You can learn so much from pictures and it is interesting to learn about the areas you are finding the pictures from. 

 

Why would this be an educational benefit?  As we all know, traveling is a very expensive hobby.  Although looking at pictures is not as much fun as going, you can learn so much from a photo.  There are so many projects you could use this Web 2.0 tool with.  Geography class especially!  While learning about the Eiffel Tower, you can locate other famous buildings and get a glimpse of the layout of the city. 

 

Another positive aspect of this website, was the simplicity of it.  It was so easy to use.  You click on an area on the map and photos of that location just pop up.  Another idea about the website that was interesting was the photo contest.  Each month they choose a few photos as winners.  They are based on scenery, remote locations, etc.  Could you see yourself in a photography class in a high school and entering a photo you have taken.  Could you imagine winning?  That would be such an accomplishment for a high school student.  All in all, I really liked the layout of this site.  It was easy to use and would be easy to teach it to students.