2. Educaching: Integrating
GPS Technology with
the Curriculum
Jason Hubbard
Woodland Elementar y School
jhubbard@perr ysburgschools.net • (419) 874-8736
6. What is Geocaching?
• High-tech form of Hide-N-Seek
• cache - “hidden”
• Catalogs over 700,000 caches worldwide
• There are over 12,000 caches in Ohio alone!
• http://www.geocacaching.com
8. Types of caches
Some caches are informative in nature:
Virtual Caches - Historical markers and
information plaques
Earthcaches - Geologically interesting spots
Puzzle Caches - Crack the code to continue
Multi-Caches - Problem solving involved
9. Why use GPS in the
classroom?
• Students are moved beyond the four walls
into an environment that is challenging,
integrative, and exploratory.
• GPS captures the thrill of the hunt for
learning
• Teamwork, problem-solving, decision
making, critical thinking easily addressed
10. Why use GPS in the
classroom?
• Promotes spatial awareness and learning
• Provides visualizations which are a powerful
way to understand problems, identify
solutions, and discover the unexpected
• Innovative way to place technology into
students’ hands
• Augments student communication locally and
globally
11. Educational Caches
• Teachers create educational scavenger
hunts on school grounds
• Examples:
• mathematical problems
• science experiments
• story elements for creative writing
• historical sites
19. Step by Step
Preliminary mapping
• Find locations on the school
grounds...look for “Easter egg” spots
• Draw a sketched map of the area or use
Google Earth
• Save waypoints of each cache
• Mark general hiding spots on your map
20. Step by Step
Setting up the hunt
• Take any lesson plan
• Create clues for students to find in order
to learn the lesson
• Acquire containers for your clues
• Hide containers for the hunt
21. Step by Step
Preparing the students
• Explain the concept
• GPS tutorial - Quick Tips Sheet
• Deliver Expectations -
• The 3 R’s of GPS Etiquette
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Replace
22. Step by Step
Let the hunt for learning begin!
• Group students into cooperative teams
• Distribute tools...receivers, clipboards,
“field” sheets, cameras (optional)
• Set boundaries for the hunt
• Release students for the hunt
• Return to the classroom for debriefing
23. Step by Step
Back in the classroom
• Debriefing
• Communicate any challenges
• Discuss solutions to problems
• Extension of learning
• Research findings or complete tasks
• Use computers for extended research
• Prepare presentations
24. Getting Started
• Do the research
• Communicate the idea for approval
• Acquire the equipment
• GPS- Grants, borrowing, sharing
• Containers - “free”
• Understand the time investment
