I have found that Google Earth is an amazing tool that is highlighted on the Web 2.0 Webware Winners circle. My attraction to the website was the possible usefulness in geography lesson applications.
The site does require the support of the latest versions of Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Firefox; however, it is well worth the RAM usage as it is an absolute treasure trove of geographic data. This interactive site allows the user to observe images from ocean level to topography and galaxies.
The Showcase Tab on the site invites the user to "...[zoom] into 3D cities around the world, [and] explore an expansive library of tours, videos, and imagery that have been created by Google Earth and supporting partners." For a history teacher this site offers the incredibly amazing capability to take students on a trip to US Presidents' birthplaces, or, see in 3D, famous historical cities as they looked in the past. Imagine the excitement students would show in having a scavenger hunt in ancient Rome!
The possibilities of incorporating this tool into a social studies unit or lesson are endless.
Google Earth is a pretty cool Web 2.0 I find myself on there sometimes just mapping out places all over Europe and Asia that I have always wanted to visit. But as you stated it can be a really good Geography tool for the classroom as well because showing the 3-D designs gives students an up close and personal view of the landscape as well as the area being studied.
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