Google invites people from across the globe to «make it a bit more manageable and adventurous with Google’s mapping tools.» With a free two-week online course Mapping with Google users can leverage the power of Google Maps or/and Google Earth to maximize their user experience by getting more of the world’s most detailed and accurate mapping services.

The program will be running from June 10-24, inviting the international community to explore features of the new Google Maps or discover the world using Google Earth, or both. The program is designed as a self-paced educational project, so the participants will be able to take their time learning more about the services. The course is created both for those who are new to the Google’s geography-themed tools and who want to go beyond just getting directions from one point to another.

The course will be based around three services, Maps Engine Lite, Google Earth and new Google Maps, unveiled at the company’s I/O 2013 conference earlier in May. Those who sign up for Mapping with Google will receive an invitation to be among the first to preview the new Google Maps, which hasn’t got an official release date yet. Other users can request an invite to access the upgraded service—they will get an email with more details soon.

To register for the course, users have to to answer three questions related to their using Google Maps and Google Earth in the past. The course will include a selection of video and text lessons, a range of activities, collaborations with an international community of participants through Google+ Hangouts and a course forum. Students will be also suggested to complete a special project, which will require them to apply the skills they’ve gained during the course to earn a certificate of completion.

Along with preparing for the launch of the major improvements of its popular map service, Google introduces minor updates to its video platform YouTube. This week, Google has introduced a feature that allows users to create slow motion videos and edit the excising ones with the new tool. To slow the speed of the clip (turn on half speed, quarter speed, eighth speed), one should use Additional features when editing the footage.