GPS

From TechHelp

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a network of satellites, maintained by the United States Department of Defense, that orbit at 12,000 miles above the Earth. These satellites make two full revolutions of the Earth in one day. The lifting of Selective Availability in 2000, by President Clinton, spawned a growth in GPS sales and activities. One of those activities is Geocaching, a game where participants search for hidden caches at specific coordinates or waypoints.

Contents 1 Global Positioning System 2 Curriculum Connections 3 Integration Ideas 4 Resources 5 GPS Receivers 6 Online Resources

[edit] Global Positioning System

GPS Wikipedia Article
GPS in Education (USGS)
How GPS works video.

[edit] Curriculum Connections

There are many uses for GPS in the curriculum. Math, science, technology, social studies all have strong connections to concepts involved in the use of the GPS. Math students are using GPS to learn concepts of grids, coordinates, time, distance as well as triangulation. Science students are locating ecological areas to study, exploring land features, track the behaviors of animals as well as learning more about space. Social Studies students are studying geography in new ways as well as coupling GPS with Geographic Information Systems to analyze data about real world problems. Physical education teachers are even getting on board with this technology by teaching students how to geocache (see above) as a healthy, lifelong activity.

[edit] Integration Ideas

Geocaching

This game has been around since 2000 when GPS receivers were allowed accuracy within ~15 feet. This accuracy has allowed participants to hide caches at locations around the world. A simple zip code search at geocaching.com will reveal many caches are in your area or an area you intend to visit.

Other Wiki Pages

Geocaching for Educators

Introducing Geocaching to Students

Lesson Cache Ideas

Geocaching Resources

Earthcaching

An alternative form of geocaching that bypasses the trinkets contained in most caches and instead provides educational information about the particular geological features located at or around the cache site. For instance, at a near by park there may be formations remaining that were formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. An earthcache might contain information about the formation as well as additional resources to learn more.

Ecology Studies

Among the ways to introduce GPS to students is to integrate ecology and GPS. On your own school grounds there is sure to be some mini-ecosystems that students can observe. Creating and placing caches to use at these "landmarks" will allow students to learn more about GPS, ecology, potential environmental issues and responsible behavior. Students could examine producers, consumers, decomposers, food chains, and any human impact within an ecosystem. Creating activities for students to do once they find a cache provides opportunities to interact and study their environment. Depending upon how the lesson is designed activities at each cache will provide time for others to locate their caches.

Math

Students could find caches with coordinates for solving geometery questions that are posed by the teacher. Caches can be created so that students can work collaboratively to solve the mathematical problems posed by the teacher.

[edit] Resources

There is a wealth of knowledge on the Internet about the uses of GPS. Use the resources a below to help you learn more about the potential of GPS in your classroom.

[edit] GPS Receivers

When you are looking to purchase visit local sporting goods or outdoor adventure stores and see if they offer a discount for educators or schools looking to purchase devices. Talk to administrators or your technology department to find out if there are already GPS receivers available in your school or district. If you are looking to purchase a GPS receiver use the links below to learn more about the various brands available:

• Garmin
  • Geko 201 GPS How-To Article
    
• Magellan GPS
  
• Trimble
  

[edit] Online Resources

Google Geo Education Website

EasyGPS Waypoint Software

EasyGPS is the fast and easy way to transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks between your computer and your Garmin, Magellan, or Lowrance GPS. EasyGPS lists all of your waypoints on the left side of the screen, and shows a plot of your GPS data on the right. Use EasyGPS to back up and organize your GPS data, print maps, or load new waypoints onto your GPS for your next hike or geocaching adventure. EasyGPS works with every popular handheld GPS receiver, and it is 100% FREE!!

Check out the EasyGPS article in this wiki resource to learn more about how to download, install and use this easy application.

NYGPS Yahoo! Group

"The NYGPS mail group, created in 2001, was originally intended for NYS educators who are exploring the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) and the Internet for math, science, and social studies instruction. We later expanded to include all teachers, college faculty, and professional GPS users who are interested in this topic. Our goal is to create meaningful learning activities for students. We will work to build a community of educators who are integrating the use of GPS and mapping technology into their state curriculums for math, science and social studies."