Compare the features and instructional applications of GIS and GPS tools. How can educators use GIS and GPS tools to enhance student learning?
GIS records and maintains large amounts of geographic information which is stored in a database. It can also produce up to date, customized maps as well as, analyze and compare information on different locations. A GPS is a world wide radionavigations system that is available due to satellites and ground stations that are able to calculate positions of anywhere on Earth. It is an excellent tool when you are in an unfamiliar area in town and are attempting to find an unknown destination. I borrowed my sister's Tom Tom which is a GPS device and it helped me a great deal to visit a little town northeast of San Antonio. Needless to say, I had no idea where I was going, but I know that I wasn't lost!
A great activity to implement in the classrooms or even in an after school program is geocaching (world wide treasure hunt). About two years ago, I went to a conference in Austin for 21st CCLC after school program, at my school. Geocaching was on the vendor list to showcase their device. The After School All Stars purchased the GPS devices to utilize in the program and the kids loved it. They designed their own treasure hunts with in the school and later in the neighborhood and community. This was an excellent activity for the intermediate grades in learning latitude and longitude coordinates. They really had a lot of fun with it! We were only able to use the GPS devices that one year, then we had to give them to the other schools so that they could have the same experience of the "hunt."
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ReplyDeleteI do think GPS/GIS can be used to enhance learning. At early grade levels, we can take children outside to see how well the system works, and how accurate the positioning is. At higher grades, we can talk about geosynchronous orbits and how to find their positions without them. The only problem is teaching fellow teachers who do not care to learn about the system. We can only try to share with our peers and hope they want to learn something with the same “new eyes” as their students.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting that you'd already been able to use the GPS in a school setting. I was wondering if you thought it was something that would just be used once a year by a certain grade level or if it's the kind of program that could be easily scaffolded. It seems to me that the novelty kind of wears off of these things. My son has one built into his phone, and at first he found it pretty interesting, but I haven't heard him talk about it for over a year. He may find it more useful in a couple of years when he's old enough to drive, but at 14, it seems like so much technology "been there, done that, what's next?"
ReplyDeleteHey Cheri,
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to get on-line to see this "Tom Tom." I am still new to this new advanced technology. I guess it really helps for us women that have to travel to unknown areas. I always say.... check all the fluids, tires, fill up the tank, cell phone plus charger and women's best friend.... the credit card for emergencies. I guess that comes in handy. The GPS devices sound like a great idea to use with the kids.