Period

a. Terrain / Overlays

"Overlays" are maps which are scanned from a computer (or taken direct from the web) and then dropped over a historical site to give a much better sense of "place"; in addition, they can appear to physically "lie" over the landscape they describe, which is fantastic for sites where terrain made a difference (e.g. Vimy Ridge).
▪ London after the Great Fire
▪ Auschwitz
▪ Vimy Ridge

b. 3d Models

A number of users have designed their own 3D models which you can "whizz" around from various angles. So far they are quite gimmicky, but they show what the software is capable of.
▪ Taj Mahal
▪ Leaning Tower of Pisa
▪ Great Pyramid of Giza

c. Tours

Flyovers are fantastic - a series of placemarks which can be arranged chronologically or thematically and then Google Earth "flies" from one spot to another. The first two examples here are good illustrations of the chronological approach; the third is a thematically-based one which could easily be adapted to other subjects.
▪ Assassination of JFK
▪ 1066: Year of 3 Kings
▪ Six Wives of Henry VIII

a. Circumnavigation of Francis Drake

▪ Available from ActiveHistory here.
This is my first attempt at a Google Earth "Flyover". It comes complete with 6 differentiated worksheets and 32 locations to visit, and gives some idea of how the application can be used in the classroom.

TIP: The final worksheet in the series contains a Google Earth Helpsheet with advice on how to add placemarks and create "flyover" tours!

b. Biased Interpretations of the Middle East Conflict

Available here.

As part of our studies on the history of the Middle East Conflict, my students were provided with an timeline of events.

The class was then divided into two groups. One was instructed to produce a Google Earth Tour from an Anti-Palestinian perspective, the other from an Anti-Israeli perspective.

By doing so, and then comparing each other's work, they were able not only to familiarise themselves with the main events of this very important piece of history and current affairs, but were able to separate out facts from opinions, and appreciate how propaganda (adding opinion and "spin") and censorship (cutting out unwelcome facts) can be used by biased people to affect our perception of events.

c. Causes of World War Two

Causes of World War Two, 1919-39: An animated flyover
A Google Earth tour, complete with a worksheet, designed to teach students about the main events, but also to encourage them to reflect on the shifting pattern of international alliances. [note: needs Google Earth to be installed!]

d. Tsarist Russia on the Eve of World War One

This flyover highlights 16 key locations of relevance to students of Tsarist Russia on the eve of World War One. It is illustrated with original colour photographs from the Prokudin-Gorskii archives, organised around six groups of issues: political, economic, social, military and religious. The flyover also links to the interactive decision making game on this topic I have constructed for the benefit of students which will keep them busy for a double lesson or so!