UPDATE: Photo Mapo is no longer free (.99).
I have a bad habit of downloading apps that look interesting and then forgetting to try them. Photo Mapo is a free iOS app that should not be overlooked.
Photo Mapo allows you to integrate any photo with a map and short description. It offers 13 different styles, and you can determine what shows on your “postcard”, such as the zoom level of the map, the date, or the latitude and longitude. To choose the map to go with your picture from your camera roll, you can have Photo Mapo determine the actual location where the picture was taken, or you can type in your own address.
To create the sample above, I used a Creative Commons image that I saved to my camera roll from Wikipedia, then I typed in “Rome, Italy” for the address, and wrote a short description.
How can this be used in the classroom?
- students can add these to research reports on countries, people, or famous landmarks, including “travel guides” or “scrapbooks” (Use the Scrap It app or Pic Collage for a great app-smash!)
- use these to create a visual representation of classrooms you have virtually visited through Twitter or Skype connections
- use it to record a field trip (map zoom level can go down to street view)
- create geography quizzes or mystery questions
- have students use it to show how a particular location has changed over time
- combine with Aurasma and Tellagami to make your postcard tell a story when scanned
I’m sure my creative readers can think of even more ideas! Please add them to the comments below!
UPDATE: Here is a link to an augmented reality project my students did using Photo Mapo.
