As teachers, we do not always have time to build a map from scratch. By using a few search parameters, we can curate map content easily, and spend more time building out our lesson plans.
To find KMZ/KML files on the web, go to Google.com to begin the search.
If I *just* type in a topic, say Civil War into Google, I’ll get a page that looks something like this:
The problem is that I am not looking for basic results. I am looking for map files specifically.
To shift the search results, I am going to add “type:kml” or “type:kmz” in addition to my topic I am searching for. For instance, my search current search would now read: Civil War type:kml
As you see below, by specifying the file type you would like to search for, the results look very different.
After finding a result that you would like to try or use, you can quickly download the kmz or kml file by holding down the alt/option key while clicking the link.
***Note: It needs to show the file type next to the link, like this: [kmz]
See the animation below for how this works.
Once you have a KML or KMZ file downloaded, you can import it into Google My Maps or Google Earth to use with your students.
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