Sunday, April 09, 2006
Geocaching for education?
What is geocaching?
Geocaching is a form of 'treasure hunt' that uses global positioning system (GPS) devices. The organiser of the hunt places one or more caches in locations and then shares the location co-ordinates of each cache on the internet. The location co-ordinates are often accompanied with some directions, clues or messages that require an encryption key to decode the message. Caches are typically in small, watertight containers about the size of a small lunchbox and hidden from sight.
GPS users can then use the location coordinates and clues to find the caches. Depending on the degign of the gerocache activity the cache may contain a clue to the next set of co-ordinates, a message or some small reward such as a sweet or plastic figurine. There is often a log book enclosed. The hunter records who they are, when they found the cache and may leave a message for others.
Given that GPS devices are now available below $100 I wonder whether geocaching has potential in formal education. Here are some ideas. Use geocaching to
1. develop relationships, promote engagement
2. develop generic and employability skills such as teamwork, map reading, problem solving.
3. find 'treasures' of information or questions that students then answer before they can get the clue to the next cache.
4. get students to develop geocaches for other students
Think about combining geochaching with sms, digital storytelling, moblogging.
Seems to have potential to me.
Looking for more infomration go to
Geocaching
Geocaching Australia
Geocaching is a form of 'treasure hunt' that uses global positioning system (GPS) devices. The organiser of the hunt places one or more caches in locations and then shares the location co-ordinates of each cache on the internet. The location co-ordinates are often accompanied with some directions, clues or messages that require an encryption key to decode the message. Caches are typically in small, watertight containers about the size of a small lunchbox and hidden from sight.
GPS users can then use the location coordinates and clues to find the caches. Depending on the degign of the gerocache activity the cache may contain a clue to the next set of co-ordinates, a message or some small reward such as a sweet or plastic figurine. There is often a log book enclosed. The hunter records who they are, when they found the cache and may leave a message for others.
Given that GPS devices are now available below $100 I wonder whether geocaching has potential in formal education. Here are some ideas. Use geocaching to
1. develop relationships, promote engagement
2. develop generic and employability skills such as teamwork, map reading, problem solving.
3. find 'treasures' of information or questions that students then answer before they can get the clue to the next cache.
4. get students to develop geocaches for other students
Think about combining geochaching with sms, digital storytelling, moblogging.
Seems to have potential to me.
Looking for more infomration go to
Geocaching
Geocaching Australia
# posted by Ian @ 9:47 PM 
