Innovative Internet Tools

So the BBC had an interesting online article about Google's Earth re-creation of Rome through 3-D technology (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7725560.stm). I've read other articles about Google Earth, and they were ones of precaution about voyeurism, which is definitely a valid point. But this article also makes me see the usefulness of such tools as Google Earth. Used correctly, it can be an incredible educational tool. As a future teacher, I can see how I could use this to bring an interesting aspect to my class--and visual things are always a good way to engage students.

This is also reminds me of Wikipedia, and the doubts people have about it. I remember an English class discussion about how since it can be edited by anybody then it can't be a trusted source. Well, first off, Wikipedia is just a very general source of information, it should never be anyone's primary source--not to mention anything online should be verified by various other sources. But, I find that when I look things up, about things I have some previous knowledge, it is always very accurate, and a study that compared Wikipedia to the Encyclopedia Britannica resulted in about equal accuracy for both. So, yeah, anyone can edit an article in Wikipedia, but anyone can correct a piece of information on Wikipedia. Really, it is about how much do you trust human nature: do you believe people will do the right thing most of the time or do you think people will do the wrong thing whenever they can get away with it? Hopefully, you believe that human nature tends the good side....