This article is called “Hide and Seek: GPS and Geocaching in the Classroom” and is written by Lynn M. Lary.
This article is talking about geocaching which in short is a high-tech, worldwide treasure hunt where a person hides a cache for others to find (Lary, 2). The cache is in a waterproof container and usually contains a log book and an assortment of goodies. The goodies may include toys, photo books, or music recordings pertaining to the class. The coordinates for where the item is place are posted on the geocaching website with a description of the cache, a hint, and any other information that may help the seeker. Once the cache’s coordinates have been posted, the hunt will begin and the way a student looks for the cache is by going to the geocaching site to see what caches are in an area close to them. At Thurston Middle School, the Lynn Lary had her students get into groups of three and gave each group GPS systems, but before they were just given these systems they were taught how to actually use them properly. They go on a hunt and find clues that eventually lead them to where the cache is. Each group had to locate three caches out of twelve that were hidden. One of the clues was “Go past the flat tire or you’ll get stumped by this one (hidden in the stump)” (3).
Many students love the Geocaching game and that can be attributed to their love of the hunt, their physical speed, and their ability to use the GPS. Their ability to use the GPS is the main task that needs to be faced because that requires much skill and requires some math. It gives the students a chance to get out of the classroom and get some fresh air as well as find some caches that are related to lecture. With my students, I also will use this scavenger hunt technique and a fun time to use it will be when we are learning about pirates or different things found in the ocean from sunken ships. I will put many different pirate related items in the boxes that were found in the bottom of the sea so the students get a better idea of what things looked like. You truly can use this exercise in a science class or even a math class because the ideas are endless.
Using Online Learning Effectively
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This article is called "The New Gold Rush: Establishing Effective Online
Learning Policies" By Ferdi Serim and it is from September/October 2007.
The artic...
16 years ago
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was funny that you discussed this particular article because I actually have been in a class that used geocaching. However, instead of using a GPS we had to discover the coordinates which eventually led us to the cache. My teacher used the treasure hunt idea of finding the cache box as a way to make learning latitude, longitude and coordinates fun. As you said though, you can use geocaching with a multiple of other subjects as well.
Yes I have also heard of this concept as well and I think it is very great and beneficial for students. Like Kirstin said, you can learn about latitude and longitude and about coordinates as well. Overall, this is a great idea and can be implemented into the classroom in many ways. I also think many students would become very excited about this activity and play an active role!
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