All About Maps

While searching for some iPad applications for our in class challenge, I came across a really neat application called History: Maps of World which was created by Seungbin Cho.  The application can be acquired through iTunes or the App Store.  History: Maps of World is free, but there are some in-application purchases.  One in-app purchase in particular is a remove advertisement feature, which could be useful for those who do not want advertisements popping up all over the place when a student is trying to view the application.  Also, in terms of compatibility, History: Maps of World requires that users with Apple products like the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch need to have software that is the 5.0 version or better. 

The History: Maps of World application can be very useful when teaching history or geography to students of various grade levels.  Students can simply explore the world through interactive maps that illustrate the numerous geopolitical shifts that occurred through time.  There is even a feature where students can examine the historical significance of each geopolitical shift through text or various multimedia.  

The application History: Maps of World provides at least one hundred seventy-eight global maps.  These maps are grouped by their category and era.  For example, if you want to view a map of eighteenth century Colonial America, you would simply locate the category “North America” using the search bar that is featured on the application and then the era “eighteenth century” to find this particular map.  

Since the application was created in 2008, History: Maps of World has gone through various updates.  In the new 4.0 version of the application, students can view a completely new user interface, favorite maps, send a map through email, print off a map, compare historical and present day maps, and synchronize your user preferences through iCloud.  This is a really great application to use for anyone wanting to teach social studies for any grade level. I would highly recommend this to any social studies teacher!