Instructional Geocaching 101

Instructional Geocaching 101:
An Introduction to Curriculum-Based
GPS Scavenger Hunts

Presented at AETC
June 14, 2012

Dr. Robert E. Mayben,
ALSDE Technology in Motion
& Mr. Ken Lee, AMSTI
The University of Alabama
Robert Mayben | RMayben@Bamaed.ua.edu | uatim.wikispaces.com/GPS

OUR
QUALIFICATIONS

It’s not about the
numbers, or is it?

Not So Quick Poll

2.Do you own a GPS receiver?
3.Is it automotive (used in your car)?
4.Is it handheld (hiking, fishing, etc)?
5.Have you ever been geocaching?
6.Does your school have GPS receivers?
7.Have you ever used GPS with your
students?


al V ersion
n
Recreatio
The

GEOCACHING IN 2 MINUTES

Recreational Geocaching

30-45 Minutes/20 Slide Presentation

9 Minutes or less!

Someone set the timer because we are
addicts and can talk for days about
geocaching!



Did I finish it?

Do you have any quick questions?

Emphasis on Quick!


What is
Instructional
Geocaching?


Instructional Geocaching
• Geocaching at Your School – Make it work for you!

• A Few Differences from
– Distance
– Logging Requirements

• Content-Based

• Not for the Public or to be listed on
Geocaching.com

More Thoughts on IG
1. Find some real caches first.

3. Secure class set of GPS receivers. AMSTI? TiM?

5. Groups of 2 to 3 students per GPS work best.

7. The first few courses you set up will take lots of
preparation and time. Trial & Error!

8. Partner with another teacher to save time.


One More Thought
• Do Not Disturb Labels: You should also
place contact info or at least your name if
you are placing them at school.
• Make sure your principal, custodians, and
lawn maintenance workers know you are
doing a scavenger hunt!


Step 1:
Plan the type of
geocaching activity that
you would like to create.
HOW!


Step 2:
Teach the students how
to use the GPS using
Latitude & Longitude.


Step 3:
Students walk through a
teacher-led introduction
activity.

Student Intro Activity


Step 3a (Optional):
Students hide objects
(tennis ball, egg, etc.) and
record the coordinates. Put
coordinates in a hat. Draw
and find!


Step 4:
Teach the students how to
mark points on the GPS.
Hide examples for them to
find during this activity.


Step 5:
Students participate in a
content-based
geocaching activity.
Now for Examples!


Instructional
Geocaching Activity
(Sort of…)


Puzzle Ideas
Recreational Model for Instructional Geocaching

•Animals in the Bible: http://coord.info/GC1M01J

•Druid’s Dichotomy: http://coord.info/GC15DEB

•The Gravel Pit and the Pendulum: http://
coord.info/GC12D23

•The College Years: http://coord.info/GC26XGJ


Instructional
Geocaching Activity
Matching Puzzle

Matching Example


Instructional
Geocaching Activity
Multiple Choice

MC Example


Other Activities

• Words
• Posted Info
• QR Codes
• The Hunger Games


More Lesson Ideas
• Digital Photography Scavenger Hunt
• Leaf Collection (pictures or actual leaves)
• Mean, Median, Mode
• Creative or Descriptive Writing
• Review Games
• Latitude & Longitude
• Related Topics such as Systems of the Body,
Countries of Different Continents
• Vocabulary Activities
• Google Earth & Google Maps Integration
• Landmark Puzzle (Pictures, Countries, facts)

Even More Lesson Ideas
• Classifications for Science
• Parts of Speech/Descriptions of items
• Math Shapes/Math in the Real World
• Geometric Planes/Trig Activities
• Measurements/Scale/Distance
• Math Multiple Choice/Work Problems to find
Coordinates
• Relative vs. Absolute Directions for Social Studies
• Discussion on how GPS would have affected
historical events (Wars, etc)
• Data Collection-AMSTI Globe & More
• Video/Photo Documentaries

How do I Set Up
a Course at
My School?


Setting Up a Course
1. Select a topic.

3. Choose the type of course you would like to
use. (Hard to Explain w/o Seeing!)

a) Regular: Each team has their own caches.
b) Rotation: Each team goes to the same caches.
c) Association: Can be a regular or rotation.
d) Single Word: Best used for introduction.
e) Puzzle: Teams solve puzzle for coordinates.
f) Posted Cache: Paper taped to wall, tree, etc.


Setting Up a Course
1. Using your GPS, mark the locations on campus
where you would like to hide the caches.
– Recommended: Write the coordinates on a chart as
you are marking the points. (See Sample)
– If possible, try to keep the caches at least 75 to 100
feet apart.
– Remember: Buildings, Thick Tree Cover, Awnings,
etc. may cause you to have bad coordinates.
– Start at the end and work your way back.

3. Create the containers with questions, words,
coordinates to next cache, or prizes inside.
– Color Code Caches – Each Team has a Color
– Place a do not disturb label on the cache.

Setting Up a Course
1. Hide the containers at the locations that
you marked.
– This gives you an opportunity to double
check coordinates.

3. Create an instruction sheet or field guide
for the students.
– This is where you usually put the first set of
coordinates.
– Questions, Answer Blanks, Data Record, etc.


Setting Up a Course
1. Teach your students GPS basics & then turn
them loose!
– Which way to walk to go North, South, East, &
West (Watch the lat & long change)
– Use school landmarks to help them
understand.
– Allow them to do a hunt using only lat & long.
– After they have mastered that, teach them how
to use the map and waypoints.
– Allow them to struggle so they can problem
solve, discuss, and think to figure it out.

Resources
• UA TiM GPS Resources:
http://uatim.wikispaces.com/GPS

• Instructional Geocaching Books
uatim.wikispaces.com/geocachingbooks

• Instructional Geocaching Readings &
Resources: http://
uatim.wikispaces.com/GCR


Questions
• Other than why is Ken pushing me into
the lake…


Instructional Geocaching 101
• Hands-on with a GPS Receiver &
Instructional Geocaching Activities
• An Authentic Geocaching Experience as
well

• STI-PD Title #: UATiMSUM31
• Date/Time:June 29; 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Location: Skyland Elementary School;
Tuscaloosa
• Did I mention free?

Instructional Geocaching 101

http://uatim.wikispaces.com/GPS
Dr. Robert E. Mayben,
ALSDE Technology in Motion
& Mr. Ken Lee, AMSTI
The University of Alabama

Instructional Geocaching 101

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