Technology Tools
The following resources can help you build a prototype of your solution.
Technology Tools: Mapping
Google Earth is a free online tool that allows you to visit any location in the world, calculate distances and elevations of any route you might like to take, and create projects that save all of this information for future reference.
- Explore any location you want using the search bar.
- To calculate distance, go to the ruler symbol at the bottom of the tool bar on the left side of the screen. Click and drag for each segment of the trip, dropping a point at any turn you need to make (otherwise, you will notice that you might be taking people through houses on a diagonal).
- It will calculate the distance for you in the top right corner, and when you are done, click done and you can choose whichever units are appropriate for your situation.
Google Maps is a free online tool that automatically calculates the distances from one location to another.
- In the bottom left-hand corner, there is a layers button that allows you to overlay different information about routes, such as bike routes or elevation. Additionally, if you map out a route for walking or biking, the elevation of each point of the route is provided to you in the details section on the left.
- To calculate distance, right click and select “Measure Distance.” Click and drag for each segment of the trip, dropping a point at any turn you need to make. Google Maps will keep a running total of your distance in a box at the bottom of the screen.
Technology Tools: Trip Information
Desmos is a free online graphing calculator that can help you build your trip information calculator.
What did you learn about your idea by prototyping it?
