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Blog 2: Goecaching
Description
Geocaching is a high-tech worldwide treasure hunt. By using GPS handheld devices hunters can search for caches by entering in longitude and latitude coordinates. Caches can be a variety of things from containers that can contain a variety of information or a set of questions and answers that can lead to an end result. Once a cache has been developed, hidden, and the coordinates entered into a website, the search is open.
Key Finding
In the article, ?Hide and Seek: GPS and Geocaching in the Classroom,? author Lynn Lary describes ways to incorporate the system into the classroom. The GPS unit is used to enter in the coordinates of the cache and the unit is then used to navigate and find the cache. The units are accurate to within several meters so it?s not that difficult to find what you?re looking for.
Lary discussed her involvement with a two-day camp in which students were paired into groups to find landmarks around the campus. Lary also created an outdoor geocache for the students and received exceptional results. She found that the students were motivated and excited. The students wanted to do more and were grateful for the experiences they had.
Lary also discusses locationless caching in which a GPS is not required. A developer can describe items they are in search of and hunters can find and post pictures of the objects.
Lary also points out the GPS unit is a resource. It is a tool to help the students or the hunter. The GPS will only give you the information. You have to know how to manipulate the unit to get the information that you need. Students were given clues for each location. Without the correct answers to the clues the coordinates would be off and the students would not be able to locate the cache.
Reflection
Honestly, I was not as fond of geocaching until I read the article for the third time. After that, something just clicked and I realized that this would be a great classroom experience. I currently teach Digital Communication Systems and twenty-four percent of the course is devoted to alternative input devices. We go over GPS systems and I think that not only the students, but I would get a kick out of using one.
Who doesn?t like scavenger hunts? As a child you loved the Easter Egg hunts to a simple game of Hide and Seek. People get a kick out of finding things that are supposedly difficult to find.
I could create multi-site caches that require the students to complete one stage before going to the next.Students would search the campus for clues. It is important for the students to see how to use the device in the real world, but through this light assignement, students can see how technology is also used for fun. Although, the students will have to know how math, the assignment as a whole would focus on the fun learning experience.
It is vital that the students have the opportunity to learn about the device. Without this knowledge, the students would not know how to enter in the information to find the caches that they needed.
Of course I would have to devise roles for each student in the group. These roles would change from cache to cache to allow each student to experience each role.
Posted at 08:56AM Nov 17, 2006 by MCCRAY, CATRICE in General | Comments[0]