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Donnie's Resources
Home
Bio
AI
Podcasting
AI Coding
Geo Tools
Geo-Inquiry
Going Cross Curricular
KML Downloads
My Maps Tutorials
My Maps Examples
Other Sites
CFSIFO
K5
VR
Math AI
Games
Google Earth
Bank
Geo Inquiry
Google Sites
Beginner
Next Level
Classroom
Tutorials
Writing
Geo Tools
Drive
Docs Add-Ons
Drawings
Forms
Chrome
Going Paperless
Workshops
Videography
Google Certifications
Photos
More
Home
Bio
AI
Podcasting
AI Coding
Geo Tools
Geo-Inquiry
Going Cross Curricular
KML Downloads
My Maps Tutorials
My Maps Examples
Other Sites
CFSIFO
K5
VR
Math AI
Games
Google Earth
Bank
Geo Inquiry
Google Sites
Beginner
Next Level
Classroom
Tutorials
Writing
Geo Tools
Drive
Docs Add-Ons
Drawings
Forms
Chrome
Going Paperless
Workshops
Videography
Google Certifications
Photos
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About My Maps (But Were too Afraid to Ask)
What are My Maps?
Google’s Free Map Creator
Create and view them at
http://mymaps.google.com
Add custom pins, layers, directions, and now distances!
Maps can then be shared just like Google Docs and edited by multiple users simultaneously
Maps can even be made “public”, where anyone in the world can have access to it.
Add images, videos, and/or paragraphs to each placemark or polygon.
Looking for some ways to use this tool in your classroom? Click here.
All of the videos below are available on this playlist (click).
Subscribe to Donnie's Youtube Channel here
.
How to Create a Google My Map
Create in Google Drive OR at
http://mymaps.google.com
If a file is created in Google Drive, it can be placed in a shared folder for students.
MyMaps.google.com
contains all of the My Maps you've created and those that have been shared with you.
Adding Placemarks to a Google My Map
Placemarks help show where certain events occurred.
Can be added manually (using the menu at the top of the map) OR by searching for a location and then adding it to your map.
Placemarks can also contain text, images, and videos (from either Youtube or Google Drive).
They can also be stylized to help add more meaning to your My Map.
Sharing and Collaborating on a My Map
My Maps can be collaborated on by students and teachers.
Press the SHARE button in the top left.
You can share the map with "Specific people", make it where "Anyone with the link" can view/edit it, or make it "Public on the web."
Important: to see changes collaborators make, the page must be refreshed.
Drawing Polygons and Lines
2D polygons and lines can be drawn on a My Map
Lines show distance between points as the crow files.
Polygons show area of a location, state, province, or continent.
Classroom idea: "Okay class, today we're going to determine the area of our school..."
Measurements are shown in either kilometers or miles (depending on which country you live).
Adding Images and Videos
Placemarks and polygons can have multiples images and videos added on to them for a user to interact with.
Images can be uploaded, taken by the web camera, added from Google Drive or a URL, added from Google Photos, or from a Google Image Search.
Videos can added from a Youtube search or a Youtube URL.
Editing Placemarks
Placemarks can be stylized by becoming different icons and colors.
Edit your Placemark by selecting it, then clicking the pencil.
The color and image on it can be changed.
Hundreds of icons to select from; they're searchable, too.
You can upload your own custom icon, too!
Adding Layers
Need to sort/filter your locations in different groups?
Add a layer by clicking the "Add a Layer" button in the top left.
Layers can have uniform, a sequence of numbers or individual styles.
Layers can have labels for different placemarks and polygons turned on.
Can export individual layers as KML/KMZ to view in Google Earth.
Changing the Base Map
There are nine different base maps that can be displayed on a My Map.
Satellite, Terrain, Political, and Atlas, to name a few.
Choose a Base map which helps a user understand the information on your map the clearest.
Setting the Default View
This sets the field of view which appears anytime a user opens your Map.
In other words, it makes your students see a certain part of the map first.
Also works for public My Maps in the "View only" mode.
Reorganizing Placemarks and Polygons
Trying to show information chronologically on your map?
Any placemarks on the map key can be clicked and dragged around to reorder.
They can also be dragged between layers.
The Measurement Tool
Used to measure distances (in kilometers and miles) between multiple points as the crow flies.
Click the ruler up the top to enable to tool
Measure perimeter and area by creating polygons.
Smaller areas are shown in acres, not square miles.
Importing KML/KMZ Files
KML/KMZ Files can be found online or created and uploaded onto a Google My Map.
Here's a direct download link to one for you to practice uploading with (click).
Press the "Import" button which appears below each new layer
Upload the KML from Google Drive or your computer
Viewing a My Map on Google Earth
Want to display your My Map in a much more beautiful way?
Export your My Map as a KML/KMZ file (use a KMZ if you create custom icons)
Head to
earth.google.com
(it's the new Google Earth)
Import your KML/KMZ onto Google Earth.
Each layer becomes its own folder in the KML file
Images and videos transfer, too!
Want to learn more about the new Google Earth?
Check out my other page (click).
The Data Set Table
Large data sets imported from a Google Sheet can be viewed and edited on the Data Set table.
While it doesn't have the same functionality as a Google Sheet, it still is a quick way to edit/view any data on the My Map.
Can remove rows/columns in one fell swoop.
Stylizing a Map by a Data Set Column
Have multiple placemarks displaying data on a layer and want to make the more visual?
Change to "Style by data column" and sort your data into "Ranges".
I recommend using single color ranges and not the full spectrum.
A Google Photos My Map
Want to create a map from images in a Google Photos album?
Create a new layer and click "Import".
Click "Photo album" and select the ones you'd like to add onto your My Map.
Press select, and the images become Placemarks on your My Map.
Note: this does not work with videos... yet.
Exploring Public My Maps
At
http://mymaps.google.com
you can explore vetted My Maps that are approved by Google.
They're not filterable, but there are about 50 or so that you and your students can view.
Open them up, press the three dots, an you can copy the map to your Google Drive.
Creating a Map from a Google Sheet
A My Map can be created from different columns on a Google Sheet.
Create a new layer, press "Import" and find the Sheet/CSV you want to display on your map.
Each Google Sheet column header becomes a different section on each Placemark
Here's a sample Google Sheet you can use to practice uploading your own (click).
The Data Table is also created from the Google Sheet.
Assigning Maps in Google Classroom
Make your My Map where "Anyone with the link can view".
Place instructions for the task/assignment on a Placemark.
Attach the link to your "My Map" as a Resource onto your Google Classroom assignment.
Students open up the My Map, press the "Three Dots", and then "Make a Copy"
Students can then add their My Map from their Drive onto the assignment.
Opening a My Map in Google Maps
Want to quickly display any maps you've created on
Google Maps
?
Press the Google Maps menu button (three lines), select "My Places", and then "Maps".
Click the My Map you want to open, and it'll appear on your screen (including any polygons and placemarks).
Embedding a Map on a Google Site
Want your My Map to appear on your Google Site or class blog? There are two ways to do this.
You can click the three dots on a My Map and select "Embed on my site" to find the HTML code. This code can be pasted on your website/blog.
If you have a new Google Site, click "Insert", the "Map", the "My Maps" to find the one you want to embed.
Alter the dimensions to best fit on your Google Site.
Adding Driving Directions
Going on a Field Trip as a class and want to show your chaperones how to get there?
Create a My Maps layer with all the different locations your class will be going.
Press "Driving Directions" from the bar going across the top; this will add a new layer to your My Map.
You can find directions between Placemarks or any address.
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