Geocaching in the Classroom: Geocaching in the Classroom Ramona Doberstein
June 17,2007
Want to go on a treasure hunt? : Want to go on a treasure hunt? Imagine if you ask your students that question.
Think for a moment what responses you would get…
Geocaching : Geocaching Is a modern day, worldwide treasure hunt
Great activity for students in all grade levels
A cache (usually a waterproof container) is hidden
Clues are provided to locate the cache
Two Ways to Incorporate Geocaching Into the Classroom: Two Ways to Incorporate Geocaching Into the Classroom GPS Device
Handheld devices that range in price starting at $100
Enter coordinates to find the cache
Travel Bugs
Tracking device that’s attached to an item
Pricing starts at $5.99
Track your item
Step On How To Go Geocaching: Step On How To Go Geocaching Obtain a GPS receiver (borrow, purchase or rent)
Create an account Geocaching.com or Earthcache.org
Search for a cache that is near your school
Choose a cache that interests you and your students
Record hints and clues that will be helpful in your hunt
Enter latitude and longitude coordinates into your device from the website
Steps On How To Go Geocaching: Steps On How To Go Geocaching Bring something you want to trade at the cache
Use the unit’s navigational feature to create an arrow pointing you toward the direction
Move toward the cache
Open the cache
You can add your item to the cache or just look at the contents
Find the logbook; enter date, time, username, and a message about your journey
After You Find the Cache: After You Find the Cache Hide the cache exactly the way you found it
Log on to your caching website
Log your visit to record you found the cache
Word of Caution: Word of Caution It is important to think of what involvement students play in this role
If you are going off campus make sure to follow your school district's procedures
Steps On How To Use Travelbugs: Steps On How To Use Travelbugs Purchase a travel bug groundspeak
Activate your travel bug
Attach your travel bug to an item
Report your cache listing
The item is carried from cache to cache in the real world
Track your travel bug online
Steps On How To Use Travelbugs: Steps On How To Use Travelbugs As a class, you can set goals for your travelbug
Pick a city or state for the travel bug to travel to
You can set new goals when the 1st one is achieved
Steps On How To Use Travelbugs: Steps On How To Use Travelbugs This activity is a high tech version of sending the stuffed animal places activity so many of us know.
Each time a travel bug is moved it should be logged on the site
Students can monitor where the travel bug goes
Ending Notes: Ending Notes Geocaching is a great interactive activity that allows students to explore technology integration
Resources: Resources Hide and Seek GPS and Geocaching in the Classroom by Lynn M. Lary
Travel bug information groundspeak
GPS information Geocaching.com and Earthcache.org