Let's look again, in case you need a refresher, at just exactly what GPS technology really is:
Geocaching Intro
This video is especially helpful if you are going to be using Garmin brand GPS units for Geocaching.
This peer-reviewed article is written by Lynn M. Larry called "Hide and Seek: GPS and Geocaching in the Classroom". It is a piece that makes a convincing arguement about how you SHOULD incorporate this technology into the geography curriculum. Worth the read!
(GIS) Geographic Information Systems
But GPS technology is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to teaching Geography in the classroom! One can use GIS, or Geographic information systems, to better teach the subject and why it is so important to our world. Geographic information systems (GIS) can help learners of all ages understand the world around them. GIS helps students and teachers engage in studies that promote critical thinking, integrated learning, and multiple intelligences, at any grade level. But what exactly does it mean to work with (GIS)? First, a geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. The tools below can be just an introduction to students specifically working with maps and location.
This is ArcWeb Explorer, which is fun tool and extremely user friendly for locating where a student is on the map and plotting directions.
Geography Network--Another great mapping tool that lets you keyword search where you are looking and gives a plethora of information, that runs across the curriculum, pertaining to that particular region.
National Atlas--Another great mapping tool that lets you manipulate and "play" with maps that are already downloaded. Dynamic maps, map making, printable maps for classrooms, etc. This site is amazing.
The report from the National Research Council (NRC; released 2006), Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum, points to the importance of instilling spatial thinking skills across subjects and into the lives of learners of all ages. GIS, as the report presents, can be significant in cultivating those skills. For more information and getting the tool belt built to introduce GIS in the elementary classroom, please CLICK HERE.
Google Earth and Google Maps
Google Earth is a phenomenal website that can be utilized in geography lessons as a tool that gives a global perspective on where almost anything is on the planet. It has sundial capapbilities, a history log to view what things looked like years ago, ocean views that can let you dive down under the ocean water, historic sites, a means to create a vitual tour of where you have been/or want to go. Its truly a program worth downloading, especially if one likes to view their geocaches before the hunt. For more information about how to use Google Earth in the classroom, please watch below:
div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_9144">Google Earth: A Classroom Tool
View more presentations from qdsouza.
<This powerpoint that is posted on this link slideshare is another tool I found to really understand the basics of working with Google Earth.
Another fun way to locate is with Google Maps. Google Maps is also a tool that can be used in geocaching and basic geography lessons for location identification and simple address searches. Among many fun things to do on Google maps is to zoom your little man down to street view to truly locate and see in the classroom where something is. A teacher can bring anything in the world she is teaching into the classroom with a little help from and address or lattitudinal/longitudinal coordinate.
Lesson Plan Links
If you need some ideas or help coming up with lessons to either teach or just generate ideas, you may go to GIS education community for help. This site offers not only lessons but resources for teaching GIS information correctly.
Other great sites that involve other subject area are:
Science Spot
GIS for History--Could be motified to fit a 4-5 grade curriculum.
GIS lesson plan resource--more links to help you find what you are looking for!
You can do this! These information systems bring a whole new world to using technology in the classroom. Just be ready for some excited students!
