This document discusses the development of a mobile application called Tree Tour for place-based learning on the iPhone. It was created by OSU Cooperative Extension and College of Ag Science to provide educational content about trees to thousands who previously only had access to print publications. The app uses GPS, visual markup, and a local SQLite database to guide users to specific tree locations and share information. Lessons learned included challenges with licensing, partnerships, funding, GPS accuracy, augmented reality, interface design, and usability testing. The code was later shared with partners like Sea Grant and State Parks to create additional location-based interpretive apps.

1. Place-based LearningPlace-based Learning
and the iPhoneand the iPhone

2. Some ContextSome Context
OSU: Cooperative Extension and College of Ag Science
Local: History of location-based demonstrations
(educational trains, demo farms, land management, “how
to” content
Distribution: thousands of print-based publications, few
mobile platform resources for audience
Mobility top emerging medium (Horizon Report, 2010),
billions – 4 billion devices worldwide

3. The ApplicationThe Application
- Open versus closed platform (2009 vs 2010)
- Tree Tour with 10-25 trees per tour
- Cost, control, continuation
- 4 months of development (1st
time)
- Educational software (process)
- Local DB (SQLite), GPS, visual markup

4. Apps and LocationApps and Location
Location-based services
Examples: FourSquare, SCVNGR

5. The ApplicationThe Application

6. The ApplicationThe Application

7. The ApplicationThe Application

8. The ApplicationThe Application

9. The ApplicationThe Application

10. • Licensing Challenges
• Partnerships
• Funding
• Open vs. Closed
• GPS accuracy
Lessons LearnedLessons Learned
• Augmented
Reality (visual
markup)
• Interface design
• Usability testing
• Resources

11. Sharing Our Code (Partnerships) ….Sharing Our Code (Partnerships) ….
• Sea Grant and
OR State Parks
• Place-based
interpretation
• Canoe tour of
park with GPS
location

12. Thank you!
Chris LaBelle
chris.labelle@oregonstate.edu