Geocaching 101: Making Connections to Your Curriculum

Geocaching 101: Making Connections to Your Curriculum Conni Mulligan NC DEN LC connimulligan@gmail.com

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

Background GPS in the Classroom • 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

Background Site-Based Receivers Auto Aircraft Marine Handheld http://www.gulf-coast-avionics.com www.consumersmarine.com http://office.microsoft.com/

Background -Site-Based Receivers in the Classroom • Many Uses of Satellites. Discovery Channel School (2003). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from Discovery Education: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

Background • 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 http://www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx

Stash Your Cache Camo, Camo and More Camo

Background Geocaching in the Classroom Google Earth & GPS Classroom Activities, Visions Technology Intermediate U.S. History/Geography: Grades 5-8 Intermediate Science: Grades 5-8

Classroom Activities Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6 1. A form was created to record coordinates outside for the locations of 6 stations based on the Big6 Skills.

Classroom Activities Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6 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.

Classroom Activities Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6 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.

Classroom Activities Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6 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.

Directionally Challenged? Deciding who to follow was the tricky part!

Classroom Activities 10 Apples Up On Top! -Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration 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.

Classroom Activities History Mysteries Using Primary Source Information 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. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

Integrated Classroom Activities http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/pages/teacher_resources/gps_activities/displayall_grade_level.asp

More Classroom Activities Rockingham County NC http://rcsinstructionaltechnology.pbworks.com/NCaect+Confere nce+2008 • http://linkbun.ch/aqev

More Classroom Activities Educaching.com

Even More Classroom Activities Intermediate Science: Grades 5-8 •Human Body •Plate Tectonics •Cell Biology •Energy and Motion •Ecology •Chemistry •Geology, Landforms •Weather and Erosion and Earth Structure 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

http://www.podcacher.com/

http://my-ecoach.com	31
http://www.slideshare.net	17
http://conni-workshops.wikispaces.com	4
http://geocachingcasestudy.pbworks.com	3
http://www.edmodo.com	3
https://blackboard.ecu.edu	1

Geocaching 101: Making Connections to Your Curriculum

by Conni Mulligan on May 27, 2009

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

6 Embeds 59

Statistics

Geocaching 101: Making Connections to Your Curriculum Presentation Transcript