geocaching 101: making connections to your curriculum
DESCRIPTION
Discovery Education Network - Geocaching 101: Making Connections to Your CurriculumTRANSCRIPT
Background
GPS (Global Positioning System)
“Space-based radio navigation system consisting of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth that
transmit a signal to users, allowing them to determine their precise location on the surface
of the Earth.”–USAF, Lt. Col. Roger Hunter
• The Global Positioning System (GPS): A Technology of Extensive Use. Discovery Channel School (2001). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from Discovery Education: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
• GPS: Global Positioning System. Discovery Channel School (2002). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from Discovery Education: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
BackgroundGPS in the Classroom
BackgroundSite-Based Receivers
Auto
HandheldMarine
www.consumersmarine.comhttp://www.gulf-coast-avionics.com http://office.microsoft.com/
Aircraft
• Many Uses of Satellites. Discovery Channel School (2003). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from Discovery Education: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
Background-Site-Based Receivers in the Classroom
• Geocaching – an outdoor scavenger/treasure hunting game where you use GPS technology to pinpoint the location of an item(s)
– Traditional Cache– Multi-Cache– Mystery/Puzzle Cache– Letterbox– Virtual
Background
http://www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx
Stash Your CacheCamo, Camo and More Camo
BackgroundGeocaching in the Classroom
Google Earth & GPS Classroom Activities, Visions TechnologyIntermediate U.S. History/Geography: Grades 5-8
Intermediate Science: Grades 5-8
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
Classroom Activities
1. A form was created to record coordinates outside for the locations of 6 stations based on the Big6 Skills.
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
Classroom Activities
2. A booklet template was created that would be used by groups.
3. The template was used to input coordinates into the book – no two booklets were identical.
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
Classroom Activities
4. Labels were created for each Big6 step.
5. The labels were placed into film canisters – six of #1 in one film canister – six of #2 in one film canister and so on.
6. Teachers used GPS devices to go to each location where they would find the film canisters.
7. Teachers would place the stickers into the booklet according to the BIG 6 Step used in the scenario.
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
Classroom Activities
Deciding who to follow
was the tricky part!
Directionally Challenged?
10 Apples Up On Top!-Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration
Classroom Activities
Media/PE Integration
•The teacher created stations based on the events from the book.•Teacher found coordinates outside for each station and created cards.•Students used GPS devices to go to preset
stations where they performed the tasks.
History MysteriesUsing Primary Source Information
Classroom Activities
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
Media/History
•Teacher recorded coordinates outside for multiple stations.•Teacher created cards for groups of students.•Students used GPS devices to go to preset coordinates where they found picture cards or newspaper articles of some event in history.•Students gathered all of the items and then tried to discover what the items had in common.
Integrated Classroom Activities
http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/pages/teacher_resources/gps_activities/displayall_grade_level.asp
Rockingham County NC http://
rcsinstructionaltechnology.pbworks.com/NCaect+Conference+2008
• http://linkbun.ch/aqev
More Classroom Activities
Even More Classroom ActivitiesIntermediate Science:
•Human Body•Cell Biology•Ecology•Geology, Landforms and Earth Structure
Grades 5-8
•Plate Tectonics•Energy and Motion•Chemistry•Weather and Erosion
Intermediate U.S. History/Geography: Grades 5-8
•Early Exploration•Road to Revolution•Forming a Constitution•A New Republic•National Growth (1800-1844)•Manifest Destiny & Spirit of Change (1810-1860)•A Nation Divided (1846-1856)•Reconstruction (1865-1877)
Online Resources
Geocaching University – Let’s Go Geocaching! http://www.geocacher-u.com/
Geocaching University – Let’s Go Geocaching! http://www.geocacher-u.com/
– BINGO Cards
– Placemats
– Coloring & Activity Book
– ID Cards
Geocaching University – Let’s Go Geocaching! http://www.geocacher-u.com/
– Vehicle Placard– Certificates– Cache Logs– Stash Notes– Trackable Items
• GeoCoin Buddy Book• Travel Bug Travel Guide
– Cache Labels– CITO Labels– Log Books
Online Educational Resources• Educaching - A GPS Based Curriculum for Teachers -
http://educaching.com/• Geocacher University - http://www.geocacher-u.com/• Geocachers’ Creed - http://geocreed.info/index.html• Geocaching – The official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site -
http://www.geocaching.com/• geocoder.us / geocoder.net - find the latitude & longitude of
any US address - for free - http://geocoder.us/• GPS Adventures - http://gpsmaze.com/teachers.html• Juicy Geography -
http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/gpsschool.htm
