mobile learning
GPS-based spatial learning (geocaching) is a new form of mobile learning for me. I had the chance to experience it in person recently and came away with a new tool in my mLearning kit. Basically, it entails being out and about, using a GPS to find items placed around a physical site.
With our guide (Teacher Alan Morely, who has developed the program) dressed as a pirate, we ventured out all over a university campus, deciphering clues to find a treasure. Along the way, we learnt some of the basics of using a GPS such as its digital compass, latitude and longitude readout, and how it only works when moving and out in the open.
As far as getting students out of the classroom, the potential of using mobile GPS devices in this way almost limitless. From scenario-based projects like our treasure hunt, to mapping or distance, angles, degrees etc, it has the advantage of being highly practical, while providing a built-in movement/kinesthetic element that many learners need for their learning to go into long term memory.
Required of course is a GPS which have traditionally been expensive items - however today they are coming down in price dramatically - especially the kind of black and white screened basic ones that are still perfect for school use.
So if you’ve never tried this kind of mobile learning, why not buy a cheap one and begin experimenting? Start with the teacher-led model, and once this is working, branch out to a few school-owned devices that students can get their own hands on.There are several good websites to give you advice and ideas - Try :
Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site
Geocaching is a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers with other participants in the activity. Geocaching.com is the listing ...
edcaching
Educational Geocaching: edcaching! ... a dynamic space to collect fresh ideas, lesson plans, and thoughts about the use of Geocaching in Education. ...
PodCacher » Geocaching in Education
Here is one story of how a teacher is using Geocaching in Education! I think this is great! As many of you experienced cachers already know, geocaching can ...
Geocaching Australia - Free and Open Geocaching
The home of Aussie Geocaching, with forums, newsletters and leaderboard.
Geocaching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to ...
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching
I’ll be aiming for my next phone/device to have integrated GPS, so watch this space for my own experiments...
GPs-based spatial learning
3/06/08
Comments Widget
