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Google Earth *PRO* is FREE for Educators!

20 Feb 2007 @ 03:47 am · 77 Comments ·

UPDATE: 11/1/2009

Good morning all!

Did you know that Google Earth Pro is *FREE* if you are an educator? Yep! Basically, all you have to do is download the PRO trial version at http://earth.google.com and then follow these instructions, direct from Google:

Our program involves outreach and distribution of Google Earth Pro to qualified educators affiliated with (employed by) lower, middle, and upper grade schools, accredited community and four year colleges, universities and graduate schools, selected vocational training programs, certain education oriented NGOs, public access museums, and academic libraries.

This wide distribution of Google Earth Pro is provided for one full year as a means to increase the use of Google Earth in core curricula.

In return, we ask for your yearly contribution to one of two forums facilitated by the Google Earth Community: http://groups.google.com/group/google-geo-education/topics (geared towards K-12) and/or http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php/Cat/0. There, you will be joined by other educators seeking collaborative opportunities with their peers for the benefit of students. Whether it be information in the form of a lesson plan, detailed testimony outlining your successes, or questions for fellow teachers, these contributions will foster incentives for creativity and innovation which that can ultimately evolve into Google Earth enhancements geared specifically toward curriculum development.

To apply, please return your updated application to GEEC@google.com. Should your organization qualify you will receive notification via email with detailed instructions on setting up your account and contact information for Google online tech support.

Information required:

  1. Your name (key contact person)
  2. Organization / Institution
  3. A brief description of the Institution / Organization
  4. Full mailing address
  5. Telephone number
  6. User name (complete email address that will be assigned to the license key)
  7. Institution’s web address
  8. Your Institution’s Tax ID (if applicable)
  9. Your Institution’s 501©3 number (US only, if applicable)
  10. A description of the intended application including grade level(s), discipline(s) or subject.
  11. What features in Google Earth Pro are important to you and how do you wish to use them in your classroom.
  12. Number of computers you are requesting to download this software on.
  13. Prior license key information [if a renewal].
  14. URL or description of contribution to Google Earth Community or Google for Educators message boards

We look forward to working with you to create a one-of-a-kind, global resource for educators.

Google Earth Education
http://www.google.com/educators/geo.html

PLEASE NOTE #1: Applicants are required to download the free, 7-day trial version of Google Earth Pro at http://earth.google.com/ before applying. Please be sure to include your Google Earth trial account user name and license key above. Once you have provided this information, Google will (eventually!) get back to you with a key for the full Pro version that will be valid for a year. I am not involved with the process, I am just passing information along.

PLEASE NOTE #2: I have no way of knowing this but I suspect that ACTIVE MEMBERS of the above communities are going to be MORE LIKELY to get Google Earth Pro licenses approved most quickly. So if you are already using Google Earth with your students, TALK IT UP IN THOSE FORUMS, PEOPLE!

That’s it! Why get the PRO version? Because it supports some CRAZY MAD AWESOME plugins that will really enrich your lessons. Here are a few examples…

Teaching World History? How about taking a look at the Earth as it existed in 1790? (above, left). How about the Middle East in 1861? Maybe you’re studying Lewis & Clark’s expedition … how about an overlay of their route onto modern-day North America, complete with present Interstate highway markings? Yep, it’s all here in the PRO version, and that’s just the beginning. You maintain all the features and functionality with “regular” Google Earth – zooming, tilting/panning, place lookups, and more.

The following text is straight from Google:

For professional and commercial uses, Google Earth Pro is the ultimate research, presentation, and collaboration tool for geographic information. If you’re using Google Earth for business purposes, Pro is the version for you. Pro includes all features available in the free version of Google Earth, plus the following:

  • An area-measurement tool (that measures square feet, miles, acres, radii, etc.)
  • Data importing, which allows you to ingest up to 2,500 locations by address or by latitude/longitudinal coordinates
  • The highest resolution printing and saving capabilities, which enable larger, clearer printouts (up to 4,800 pixels)
  • Movie maker, which allows you to export movies of zooms and tours
  • GIS data import, which allows you to drag and drop SHP files, GeoTiffs, etc.
  • Premium printing, which enables you to print high-resolution images up to 11″ x 17″ (4,800 pixels)

Hope this helps,

-kj-

Tags: Google Tools: Earth

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77 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Tom // Feb 21, 2007 at 8:44 pm

    Kevin,

    INCREDIBLE! I’ve wanted this for so long. I just sent in my email. Thanks so much.

    Tom

  • 2 Mr. Jarrett // Feb 22, 2007 at 6:27 am

    Thanks Tom, glad to help! This is just the beginning, I have more cool Google tools to share … now where’s that spare minute I had a while back? ;-)

  • 3 kellie campbell // Mar 20, 2007 at 12:21 am

    thank for the software and please keep up the good work

  • 4 John P. Birmingham // Jun 29, 2007 at 2:56 pm

    earth science teacher at Marcellus Senior High School looking to implement more lessons using the google earth technology

  • 5 john // Oct 3, 2007 at 12:35 am

    i really want to learn about our planet

  • 6 majid // Oct 11, 2007 at 8:55 am

    thanks for your free software i am glad if further know about my planet

  • 7 Oneyda Vilella // Oct 23, 2007 at 10:23 pm

    I want the free software

  • 8 Clarence Mathis // Dec 6, 2007 at 11:46 am

    I would like to get the free Google Earth Pro for educators.

  • 9 Mr. Jarrett // Dec 6, 2007 at 11:53 am

    To get the software, folks, just follow the instructions in the post above, if it doesn’t work, let me know! :)

  • 10 pyam // Dec 17, 2007 at 7:18 am

    I am student & for use search map

  • 11 Ann Oro // Mar 1, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    As always, you ROCK! Thanks for sharing. I just downloaded the pro version and sent in my email. Followed an amazingly circuitous route to get here: Jen W blog to you KarenJan’s tweet, to your blog. Imagine my surprise when I saw your name in her blog post.

  • 12 Tina Coffey // Mar 2, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Thanks, Kevin!! I’m so excited about trying this out. :)

  • 13 Cheryl Oakes // Mar 4, 2008 at 5:07 am

    Thanks so much Kevin, now to keep me coming back how about more Google Earth Pro tips. Then I will be sure to share my Pre-Revolutionary War Tour with you.
    Cheryl

  • 14 Chris // Mar 4, 2008 at 9:44 am

    Thanks for the heads-up. I have the regular Google Earth, and I have the same plug-ins that you mention being part of Pro (historical maps, Lewis and Clark, etc). Are there any other differences in functionality or content?

  • 15 Kevin Jarrett // Mar 4, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    You’re all very welcome!

    Here is the difference between the various Google Earth versions:

    http://tinyurl.com/3aeolf

    Hope this helps!

    -kj-

  • 16 Lee // Mar 11, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    It’s too bad this comes from the same Google folk who are violating copyright law by posting copyrighted books online with their Google Books.

  • 17 Diane // Mar 13, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    KJ — keep in mind that part of the agreement for educators to get Pro for free is that they participate and contribute to the GE Community.

    As for Google Books, entire copyrighted books are NOT being posted. Portions are being posted. Anything posted in its entirety is either out of copyright now or is being done with the permission of the publisher(s)/author(s).

  • 18 alan // Mar 14, 2008 at 8:43 am

    Does anyone know if i am able to receive the pro version free if i am a part time self employed private home tutor? Many thanks

  • 19 Kevin Jarrett // Mar 14, 2008 at 8:49 am

    Alan,

    I’m pretty sure it’s K-12 only but go ahead and ask them!

    -kj-

  • 20 alan // Mar 17, 2008 at 2:13 pm

    Ok thanks kj, I will send an email and ask. Many thanks

    Alan

  • 21 Hans Mundahl // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:08 pm

    I agree with Chris – the maps and ‘plugins’ seem to be simply ‘layers’ that can be turned on in the free version as well. I was thinking the ‘plugins’ reference meant I needed to download something in addition to GE.

    To find the layers mentioned above in the free version of GE go to Layers section in the lower left and choose Primary Database > Gallery > Rumsey Historical Maps.

    If the educator version of GE Pro is a barrier, as for Alan, then this seems a pretty workable solution.

    These are fantastic – I had no idea they were there. Thanks, Kevin for blogging about this!

  • 22 Meg Ormiston // Apr 16, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    Yiipppeee,
    So happy thanks for sharing Kevin!

  • 23 Tom L. // Apr 25, 2008 at 7:14 am

    Question:

    Do they send you a license key?

    Thanks!!

  • 24 Kevin Jarrett // Apr 25, 2008 at 7:20 am

    Tom, yes they do, once you provide the qualifying information and agree to the terms of service!

  • 25 Francisco suarez // May 23, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    I think google earth will be very good for my pupils

  • 26 Enterprise // May 24, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    Teachers only? Are full time students eligible for this offer?

  • 27 Kevin Jarrett // May 25, 2008 at 8:01 am

    Sorry Enterprise, teachers only…and K-12 at that.

    -kj-

  • 28 Enterprise // May 25, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    Ok.:( Then is there any educational discounts for single licenses for K-12 students? (at least a way to pay only a one time fee and not a subscription fee)

  • 29 SimKathy // Jun 28, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    Google Earth Pro doesn’t specifically say it will work with Vista. Do you know if it will?

  • 30 Kevin Jarrett // Jun 28, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Enterprise,

    No idea – best to contact them directly and ask.

    SimKathy,

    Yes, Google Earth is Vista compatible!

    -kj-

  • 31 Holly // Jul 1, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Of the 4 required questions we must answer, does question #2 restrict the usage of PRO to two computers per school? If more than one teacher wants to download it, can each person, say, use their two copies to load it on a home computer and a work computer?

  • 32 Kevin Jarrett // Jul 1, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    Holly,

    I’d love to answer that but to be safe you should email the contact info listed in the post – they will know! :-)

    Good luck,

    -kj-

  • 33 Deia // Jul 23, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    hey Kevin–
    thanks for the tip. any idea how soon I can hope to hear back from them?

  • 34 Kevin Jarrett // Jul 23, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    Sorry, no Deia, I don’t… :/

  • 35 Sami Ryan // Jul 28, 2008 at 1:20 am

    I actually didn’t understand. plz someone give me an example

  • 36 Sami Ryan // Jul 28, 2008 at 1:24 am

    I actually didn’t understand. plz someone give me an example of the e-mail to geec@google.com. Request to Kevin Jarrett.

  • 37 Tracy Rosen // Aug 16, 2008 at 8:10 am

    Kevin, thanks for letting us know about this! I’ll be teaching grade 11 – just about every subject – and am looking for good solid applications to make things interesting. Off to register…

  • 38 Kevin Jarrett // Aug 16, 2008 at 8:30 am

    Sami, hope you made out okay…

    Tracy, happy to be of service! :)

    -kj-

  • 39 Carlos Pinto // Sep 11, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    I would like a link to download.
    thank you

  • 40 Kevin Jarrett // Sep 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm

    Carlos, it’s in the second paragraph of the blog post above… :-)

  • 41 Kolawole // Sep 19, 2008 at 7:59 am

    I m intereseted in the area of applications of google earth image in remote sensing of the environment… I m a student in University of Lagos,Nigeria.I m studying Geomatics Engineering…Please could you link me to get free license of Google Earth?I need it for my resaerch.Thank You.

  • 42 Kevin Jarrett // Sep 19, 2008 at 8:05 am

    Hello Kolawole,

    Everything you need to know is in the post above, including the email address you should use to request a license. Good luck with your research!

    -kj-

  • 43 Michael Roberts // Jan 23, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    I downloaded trial version and sent appropriate e-mail three days ago. Now what? It appears I am still using the trial version and I have no notification of any sort.

  • 44 Kevin Jarrett // Jan 23, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Takes a while for ‘em to get back to you. Think weeks, not days. It will be worth the wait though!

  • 45 anders // Jan 30, 2009 at 1:07 am

    hi,

    Is Google Earth Pro free for students as well as educators?

    Anders

  • 46 Kevin Jarrett // Jan 30, 2009 at 4:54 am

    Anders, it’s free for educators only. -kj-

  • 47 ALE // Feb 5, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    I’m from Mexico and I would like to know what’s K-12 and where do I have to send the email with the answers above to?

  • 48 Kevin Jarrett // Feb 5, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    ALE, please click here:

    http://www.ncs-tech.org/?p=783

    Everything you need to know is in the body of the post.

    Good luck,

    -kj-

  • 49 Richie // Feb 12, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    For safety reasons, I dont want to put my real name in the trial setup? Any suggestions for a company and a zip code?

  • 50 Vicky // Feb 18, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Please clarify what you mean by “free.” Your blog says we get a 7-day trial for free. So what? Anyone can get the free trial for a week. Do you mean that educators can get the pro version permanently? Clarify.

  • 51 Kevin Jarrett // Feb 18, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    Richie, I’d imagine anything you use is just fine!

    Vickie, you are the first to ask, but I guess I see your point, so I added this to the post (see above):

    “Once you have provided this information, Google will (eventually!) get back to you with a key for the full Pro version that will be valid for a year.”

    Hope this helps!

    -kj-

  • 52 James Ross // Mar 3, 2009 at 9:34 am

    I noticed that you said “get back to you with a key for the full Pro version that will be valid for a year”. Do you know if we will be able to get additional years free too or will we have to pay full price for them?

  • 53 Kevin Jarrett // Mar 3, 2009 at 10:01 am

    James, yes, you can re-apply for another free year. My understanding is that as long as you meet the requirements you have a pretty good chance of being approved. -kj-

  • 54 resid // Apr 1, 2009 at 11:53 am

    that is splendid

  • 55 shahnaz motaharnia // Jul 12, 2009 at 3:02 am

    I am a researcher and I need to connect to google earth pro free download for my research.

    Thank you for your help.

  • 56 Kevin Jarrett // Jul 12, 2009 at 6:39 am

    Shahnaz, please send email to GEEC [at] google.com, they are the ones who can help!

  • 57 NAGARAJ // Jul 13, 2009 at 8:56 am

    I am a researcher and I need to connect to google earth pro free download for my research

  • 58 Kevin Jarrett // Jul 13, 2009 at 9:04 am

    Please send email to GEEC [at] google.com, they are the ones who can help! Good luck!

  • 59 Ali // Jul 18, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    hello i want license key of google earth pro gold edition 2009.please some one provide me the license key free.i shall be very thanksfull to u.my contact number is 00923214354088.

  • 60 Kevin Jarrett // Jul 19, 2009 at 7:12 am

    Ali, Please send email to GEEC [at] google.com, they are the ones who can help! Good luck!

  • 61 Kevin Jarrett // Jul 19, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Folks, if you want a copy of Google Earth Pro, please read the blog post above for the exact instructions. If you have another question or just want to say thanks, please use my Contact page. Thanks! -kj-

  • 62 Andrew // Sep 4, 2009 at 10:34 pm

    I dont know if someone can help me put leasen…
    i am teacher of geography of a latin conuntry and i do all the previus regist and they dont send me the key.. si someone can gift me one i will apreaciet it a lot…
    tanx

  • 63 Kevin Jarrett // Sep 5, 2009 at 5:45 am

    Andrew, only Google can get you a key. All I can suggest is to email them GEEC@google.com and ask about your past request! So sorry! -kj-

  • 64 larry // Sep 8, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    Hey kj thanks for your help, but i want to know if you have tried it and it actually worked and could you please in the name of jesus send me an example on how to fill the application form

  • 65 Kevin Jarrett // Sep 8, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    Larry, all you need to do is answer the 13 questions above in an email to geec@google.com. If you are unsure of an answer, say so, and someone will get back to you. I can’t really tell you how to fill it out beyond that! So sorry! -kj-

  • 66 Larry // Sep 11, 2009 at 8:35 am

    thanks kj, but my institution doesn’t have question 7,8,9 and i dont understand what they mean by prior license information. Larry

  • 67 Kevin Jarrett // Sep 11, 2009 at 8:43 am

    Larry, all you can do is email them, a human being will respond, I have no idea what to tell you, so sorry!!!

  • 68 Carl // Sep 11, 2009 at 11:29 am

    Kevin,

    Thank you for the great information… keep up the great work.

  • 69 Dickson // Oct 31, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Thanks for the info.

    Q: I sent an email to geec@google.com a few days ago, but I couldn’t received anything. What can I do?

  • 70 Kevin Jarrett // Oct 31, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Right now … nothing … hold on … I’m pinging my contacts within Google to determine the status of this program … some folks have been waiting for over a month … really hope it’s not been discontinued … stay tuned!

  • 71 Dickson // Oct 31, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I hope so too…

    Thanks for your help!

  • 72 Kevin Jarrett // Nov 1, 2009 at 7:46 am

    Ok everyone, I have CONFIRMED the FREE LICENSES FOR EDUCATORS program is STILL RUNNING and have updated my blog post with the latest info. Remember, I have nothing to do with this program, I am just a huge Google fan passing along information! Good luck! -kj-

  • 73 Mr. Aspinall // Nov 28, 2009 at 7:48 am

    Excellent!

  • 74 Joe Traynor // Dec 1, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    Thank you for posting this information. Our educational license was recently renewed. This did not happen however until shortly after the previous license expired, and a month and a half after our initial renewal request.

  • 75 Kevin Jarrett // Dec 1, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    Thank YOU for letting us ALL KNOW this program is STILL VIABLE! -kj-

  • 76 Mary Ann // Dec 1, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    Hi KJ,
    This sounds totally cool for my world history class. Can we use this to plot Stanley’s travels too? i’ll stop by some am to discuss this.
    MAD

  • 77 Kevin Jarrett // Dec 2, 2009 at 3:44 am

    MAD, yes, Google Earth is great for Flat Stanley projects! It can’t be used collaboratively, but, for an individual student, or the teacher, it presents a perfect environment. Here’s an example – Flat Stanley Visits Japan: http://bit.ly/8fFzsg. Source: http://bit.ly/5uSyuw. See you in school! -kj-

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