Geocaching in the Classroom: Geocaching in the Classroom Useful ideas for teachers wanting to use geocaching to enhance teaching and learning! Wendy Almeida Photo
What is Geocaching?: What is Geocaching? Geocaching is a “world-wide treasure hunt” where you hide and find objects using a GPS (Global Positioning System)
Geocaching is an exciting sport for people of all ages.
Integration Aspect: Integration Aspect Geocaching allows teachers to integrate many subjects across K-12 into a single project or activity
Reading/Language Arts
Science
Mathematics
Social Studies
PE/ Art
Technology
Types of Caches: Types of Caches Traditional Caches
where a person hides a cache for another person to find
Multi-Site Caches
the cacher goes to the first set of coordinates, answers a question and begins looking for the next location
Locationless Caches
Person who creates the cache doesn’t have to own a GPS; photos are posted online along with the latitude and longitude coordinates
Travel Bugs
Cacher buys a travel bug (usually around $6.50), attaches it to some object, indicates where they want it to go, then releases it into a cache
Geocaching in the Classroom: Geocaching in the Classroom
Articles supporting the idea of using geocaching in the classroom
The Meridian- A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal; service of NCSU
http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/win2007/gps/index.htm
Using GPS and Geocaching Engages, Empowers, and Enlightens Middle School Teachers and Students
http://www.alicechristie.org/pubs/E6/index.html
New Ways of Teaching GPS Technology & Basics in Orientation in Local Geography
http://www.esstt.rnu.tn/utic/tica2007/sys_files/medias/docs/p28.pdf
Geocaching in the Classroom: Geocaching in the Classroom NC DPI Website
includes many lessons posted by various counties and individuals in NC
activities range from a variety of grades and content areas
supplemental worksheets, files, documents, and much more are available for you to use
lessons include the use of a GPS
http://www.ncwiseowl.org/impact/ncgeocache/LessonPlans.htm
Geocaching in the Classroom: Geocaching in the Classroom The Science Spot: Learning with GPS
GPS lessons and activities
Teacher resources
Student worksheets
Useful Tips
Other online resources
http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classgpslsn.html
Children & Geocaching: Children & Geocaching http://www.gpscentral.ca/photos.htm
Videos on Geocaching: Videos on Geocaching Travelistic: The Map :Geocaching Adventure
And introduction to geocaching; an adventure in NYC
http://www.travelistic.com/video/tag/geocaching
You Tube: Geocaching Intro
Background info on GPS
How to navigate geocaching.com
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PBjuPko2tog
Available Training: Available Training Training for teaching in Orange County, NC
http://www.orange.k12.nc.us/Instruction/Technology/technology_s_d.htm
QTL (Quality Teaching and Learning)
http://www.qtlcenters.org/K12/News/press010506QTLmeeting.htm
NC DPI Social Studies Training Integrating Technology
http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/socialstudies/