Scribble Maps

I experimented with the Scribble Map techonology powered by Google and I must say I am very impressed at it's functionality and I absolutely love it.

I remember the days in primary and high school, when I would photocopy a map or print one from online, and then 'grab out' the pencils, rulers and highlighters to highlight different areas of interest on a map. How times have changed, you can now do all those things and more with Scribble Map.

I will be analysing the use of Scribble Maps in an educational environment using a PMI Analysis;

Positives:

• Easily embeddable into other websites, for example Blogger or Wiki (with customisable width)
• You can publish your map to a jpeg format
• You can insert images, YouTube videos, markers, animations and many more
• You can draw lines, circles and text 
• You can create a Legend to assign to your map (Scribble Maps, 2010)
• You can assign time ranges and time stamps to elements (Scribble Maps, 2010)
• You can stylise (personalise) maps (Scribble Maps, 2010)
• You can use your own image as a map (Scribble Maps, 2010)
• You can upload spreadsheets
• You can add 'heat' to maps to represent climates around the world (Scribble Maps, 2010)
• Completely flash based, so can be seen anywhere, for example on a computer or an iPad (Scribble Maps, 2010)
• Ability to hide ads
• Free

Minuses:

• Learners could become overwhelmed/distracted with the level of customisation that is available to them
• Learners would need to know the boundaries of what is acceptable to be placed on the map, as it could lead to a privacy issue
• To use the full range of features, you need to pay for a Pro membership.

Interesting:

• Utilises the already popular Google Maps as it's mapping platform
• Innovative utilisation in school assignments
• It will allow educators, such as those who teach geography and history, to show how things might have looked and changed from past to future (Stotland, 2011, p. 1)

Also, for future reference; the below is an instructional video from Scribble Maps:

How could Scribble Maps be applied in your teaching context?:

The possibilities of using Scribble Maps in the classroom are endless. Any time that calls for referring to a map or geographical location, you can utilise Scribble Maps.

Here are just a few examples of how you could use it:

• Recording as a class your trip/adventure to a destination. You could upload videos, pictures, points of interest and commentary. This could be shared within the classroom or on the class blog or wiki.
• Using the time feature, show the colonisation of British colonies in Africa and the rest of the world, by placing links on the map and historical information and references.
• Ask students to utilise the technology in their presentation of an assignment on a given country/continent
• Highlight to students the differences in culture around the globe by use of embedded pictures, links or videos

Learning theories underpinned:

Using Scribble Maps encourages both a connectivism and constructivist learning approach. By using a map, and connecting sets of information on a geographical interface, you are using a connectivism approach. Building on your maps as a class uses a social constructivist approach as together you are building knowledge based on each individual's own experiences etc.

References:

Scribble Maps. (2010, December 25). iPad supports - upgrading your widgets [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://scribblemaps.blogspot.com/

Scribble Maps. (2010, June 29). Legends in scribble maps [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://scribblemaps.blogspot.com/

 

 

Scribble Maps. (2010, June 11). Time mapping in scribble maps [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://scribblemaps.blogspot.com/

Scribble Maps. (2010, May 27). Scribble maps now has styled maps [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://scribblemaps.blogspot.com/

 

 

Scribble Maps. (2010, May 3). Self made maps [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://scribblemaps.blogspot.com/

Scribble Maps. (2010, March 1). Heat maps [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://scribblemaps.blogspot.com/

 

 

Scribble Maps. (2010, January 20). Scripple maps pro beta demo [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlU-mVuQSQk&feature=player_embedded#at=160

Stotland, R. (2011). Online map tools: scribble maps. Retrieved August, 8, 2011, from http://teamawesomer2011.wikispaces.com/Scribble+Maps

References (used for creating Scribble Map):

Constable, L. (Photographer). (2010). Darren and Tamara Corr have settled into life in the Pioneer Valley after leasing the popular Pinnacle Pub [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/10/27/couple-couldnt-go-past-country-hotel/

  

Fitzgerald, G. (Photographer). (2000). Teemburra Dam [Photographer]. Retrieved from http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Teemburra.htm

  

rauri76. (2010, July 22). TubingCacheCreek.MP4 [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_hzHHhiMMw&playnext=1&list=PLEC66DCA13E85D0B2

  

TheNeri88. (2010, April 27). Finch hatton gorge swimming [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOMIbdc8ocY